Mazie Leonard
System Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Child Honoree
 After experiencing various symptoms and visiting many doctors, Mazie was diagnosed with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis in 2017. Despite various treatments, Mazie still experiences daily joint pain and has impaired mobility making everyday tasks a challenge.
Mazie has learned to adapt, however. Instead of sports, she finds pleasure in writing, learning to play the violin, swimming, and researching and caring for her reptiles. She excels at school and dreams of one day becoming a veterinarian and snake breeder. Mazie’s family looks for the silver linings. They enjoy time together as they travel to appointments, they don’t take for granted what they can do, and they are determined to continue to fight this awful disease together. To join or support Mazie, please visit her team page, A-Mazie-ng Strength. |
Brian LaMoreaux, M.D.,M.S. is the senior medical director of rheumatology, medical affairs, at Horizon Therapeutics. Dr. LaMoreaux brings his training in rheumatology to his role at Horizon, where he operates as both a scientist and educator – helping fellow physicians around the country intimately understand the intricacies gouty arthritis, which in turn, allows doctors to make informed decisions for their patients.
Ravi K. Bashyal, MD is an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in minimally invasive hip and knee replacement at NorthShore University System where he is Director of Outpatient Hip and Knee Replacement Surgery. He holds an academic appointment as Clinical Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. Dr. Bashyal attended the University of Illinois, graduating Magna Cum Laude, and then the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Dr. Bashyal continued his training at Washington University in St. Louis, and he then went on to Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital for sub-specialty training in hip and knee reconstruction. He currently maintains a clinical practice performing approximately 500 minimally invasive total hip and knee replacements every year while also participating in clinical research and education.
Kari’s arthritis journey started when she was 16 years old. She received several different diagnosis, leading to various treatments. She finally found a rheumatologist who gave her the right diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Kari has been seeing him for over 10 years now and she is grateful that he listens to her needs yet keeps it real for her at the same time.
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