Diego Gutierrez, BA, MBA, DBA
Inflammatory Arthritis
Adult Honoree
 Diego was diagnosed with severe inflammatory arthritis in 2022. Formerly a Major League Soccer Player, Diego was one of the pioneer players in MLS, playing over 400 professional games and becoming one of the fiercest competitors in MLS history. He also represented the United States at the international level, as a member of the U.S. National Team from 2001 through 2005. Post retirement, Diego became a TV and radio personality, and currently does radio for ESPN Deportes, covering Sporting KC games as a soccer analyst.
He received his undergraduate degree in psychology from Rockhurst University, an EMBA from Rockhurst University’s Helzberg School of Management, and a Doctorate in Business Administration from Creighton University’s Heider School of Business. He is currently a faculty member at Rockhurst University’s College of Business. |
In her role as Provider Relations Liaison with Lakeview Village, Vicki helps with a variety of tasks including marketing and transitioning patients to short-term stay rehabilitation. It was Vicki’s Rheumatoid Arthritis diagnosis six years ago that brought her to the Arthritis Foundation as a volunteer and sponsor. Since then, Vicki has played a vital role in supporting the Arthritis Foundation’s mission to raise funds for research, resources, and a cure.
Dr. Sarah Fantus has been in practice as a rheumatologist at Kansas City Physician Partners since 2022. Before that, she was on faculty at Northwestern University Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. She is originally from Kansas City, where she went to school in the Shawnee Mission School District. Dr. Fantus completed her Rheumatology fellowship at Northwestern University. She went to medical school at Georgetown University in Washington, DC, and completed her Internal Medicine Residency at Loyola University in Chicago. She is involved in medical education at the University of Missouri Kansas City and is on staff at St. Luke’s Hospital on the Plaza.
Noelle's juvenile arthritis journey began in 2010 when she was 2 1/2 years old. Today Noelle is an active 16-year-old who took up running after the pandemic and ran for her high school cross country team her freshman year. She has found that staying active helps to manage her arthritis symptoms and is also excellent for her mental health. Noelle is so honored to have been chosen as the youth honoree for the Jingle Bell Run Kansas City and can’t wait to run the course with family and friends!