Providing early diagnosis and conservatively aggressive management of patients with inflammatory and autoimmune diseases and arthritis.
Dr. Richard Houk
Dr. Houk is a graduate the US Air Force Academy, Tulane University medical school, and Northwestern University Rheumatology. He has served as a rheumatologist in the Air Force as department chairman, fellowship program director, commander of the joint military medical command for rheumatology, and consultant to the Surgeon General. He left teaching, research, and publications to move to Arkansas. He became the founding president of the Arkansas State Rheumatology Association in 2003 and has been honored to be listed on surveys as one of the Arkansas Best Rheumatology Doctors from 2000 forward. Dr. Houk and his wife Karen have been blessed to raise 6 children and 11 grandchildren in Arkansas. Two children serve in healthcare here in Little Rock, with one son being a dentist and one son, a physical therapist. Dr. Houk has special training in musculoskeletal ultrasound.
Dr. Mavi Rivera
Dr. Rivera was born and raised in Honduras. She earned her medical degree from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras. She completed her Internal Medicine residency training at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County in Chicago, followed by a fellowship in Rheumatology at Emory University School of Medicine.
Throughout her career, Dr. Rivera has exemplified a dedication to serving others, mirroring her personal values. She has collaborated in different projects to improve the health and sanitation of underserved communities in Honduras.
During her residency training, she was honored with the Humanitarian Award in recognition to serving as a role model to outstanding ethical values.
She has publications in the "Journal of Clinical Rheumatology" and "Clinical Rheumatology", and is trained in Musculoskeletal ultrasonography.
She speaks English and Spanish.
Dr. Daniel Gonzalez
Dr. Gonzalez obtained his medical degree from The University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine (UTMB). During his undergraduate studies, he was an NCAA Division I Men’s Tennis Team member at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas. He completed his Internal Medicine residency and pursued a Rheumatology Fellowship at the University of Texas Medical Branch.
Dr. Gonzalez garnered several accolades throughout his training, including a Gold Medal from the American College of Rheumatology for achieving 1st place in the Knowledge Bowl Championship. His contributions to medical literature are notable, with multiple publications recognized as “Publication of the Week,” among other awards. Moreover, he was invited as a guest speaker at a national event organized by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on his findings regarding inflammatory muscle disease and COVID-19. He has been recognized for his teaching excellence and was nominated for the Outstanding Overall Fellow Award at UTMB.
Dr. Gonzalez speaks both English and Spanish. He and his wife, a Renal Pathologist, have a young daughter.
Alicia Bell, APRN
Alicia Bell, APRN is a Family Nurse Practitioner certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. She has over 25 years of experience in the field of Nursing. She received her Masters of Nursing Science/Family Nurse Practitioner from University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 2006 and received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Henderson State University in 1999.
As a native of Arkansas, Alicia has experience ranging from specialty medicine to family practice. Prior to pursuing her Master’s of Nursing Science, she was a nationally certified oncology nurse for seven years. As an Advanced Practice Nurse, Alicia has experience in endocrinology, internal medicine, and she has spent over a decade in orthopedics specializing in the treatment of spinal conditions as well as experience treating and managing osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures.
She also taught at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in the Baccalaureate Nursing Program as a nursing clinical instructor.
Alicia attained her Certificate of Full Independent Practice in the state of Arkansas in 2024 and Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) Certification through the Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation in 2023.
Alicia is a member of several professional organizations including American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, Arkansas Nurse Practitioner Association, Arkansas Nurses Association, American Nurses Association, and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society.
She is truly a patient advocate and takes the time to educate and collaborate with her patients, physicians, and staff to provide high-quality, patient-centered care that meets the needs of each individual.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and husband who is also a native of Arkansas. She also enjoys traveling as well as dog training and upland bird hunting with her Vizsla. She also enjoys quilting and is a member of the Arkansas Quilters Guild.
About Us
Rheumatology Partners PLLC is a private medical practice doing business as Houk Rheumatology. We serve all of Arkansas and the surrounding states. Our mission is the early diagnosis and conservatively aggressive management of patients with inflammatory and autoimmune diseases and arthritis. Our goal is to provide a compassionate environment, comprehensive and goal-oriented care for these chronic conditions, and use the full range of diagnostic and therapeutic tools to achieve wellness for suffering patients. We attempt to understand how frustrating and devastating rheumatic diseases can be. This is why we strive to provide timely individual care to patients. By employing medication, injections, infusion therapies, nutrition, and physical therapies, we strive to help patients achieve disease control when possible, and to live more healthy, productive lives.
Our Location
9101 Kanis Road, Suite 200 | Little Rock | P: (501) 224-6366 | F: (501) 725-8445
Our Hours
OFFICE HOURS | Monday - Thursday 7:45am to 4:45pm
PHONES OPEN | Monday - Thursday 8am to noon, 1pm to 4:45pm