Thank you, Dr. Rho
The GLUT1 Deficiency Foundation joins the global neurological community in mourning the loss of our friend and beloved Medical and Scientific Advisory Board member, Dr. Jong M. Rho.
Dr. Rho’s remarkable career was defined not only by his scientific and clinical contributions, but by his kindness, humility, generosity, and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of children and families affected by neurological disorders. His wisdom and leadership helped shape advances in ketogenic therapies and epilepsy care and created models for collaboration, while his compassion left an equally lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him.
To our community, Dr. Rho was a trusted advisor, a generous mentor, and a genuine friend. His guidance and support helped advance the mission of the GLUT1 Deficiency Foundation and inspired researchers, clinicians, and families alike.
On behalf of our Board of Directors, Medical and Scientific Advisory Board, staff, and the entire GLUT1 Deficiency community, we honor his life and his impact and extend our deepest condolences to Dr. Rho’s family and all who loved him. His legacy will live on through the patients he cared for, the physicians and scientists he mentored, and the countless lives that are better because of his dedication.
Jong M. Rho
1955-2026
Jong Min Rho, MD, of Branford, Connecticut, passed away in his sleep, surrounded by the love of his family on July 22, 2026. He died after a three month long, courageous battle with stage IV gastric cancer.
Born in Seoul, South Korea, 1955, Dr. Rho devoted his life to caring for children with epilepsy and neurological disorders and to advancing the field of pediatric neurology.
Dr. Rho graduated from Yale University, Class of ’77, with a degree in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, and earned his medical degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. He completed pediatrics residency at the University of Southern California, child neurology residency at the University of California, Los Angeles, followed by a research fellowship at the National Institutes of Health.
Over a 30-year career, he founded and led clinical and research programs across North America, including the University of Washington, UC Irvine, the Barrow Neurological Institute, the University of Calgary, and UC San Diego. He held the Elizabeth Mears and House Jameson Professorship of Pediatrics (Neurology) at Yale.
His pioneering research advanced our understanding of how metabolic therapies like the ketogenic diet treat epilepsy and other neurological disorders by improving mitochondrial function. He co-founded and served as Executive Chair of the International Neurological Ketogenic Society. Honored many times over for teaching, clinical care, mentorship, and research, Dr. Rho returned to his undergraduate alma mater as Professor and Chief of the Section of Pediatric Neurology in the Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology at Yale School of Medicine – a position he held at the time of his passing.
As a generous mentor, compassionate physician, brilliant scientist, and thoughtful teacher, Dr. Rho touched countless lives through his intellect, kindness, and unwavering dedication to his patients, trainees, and colleagues. Outside of medicine, he was a professional mime, accomplished clarinetist, and found joy in acting, the latest tech, and music.
Above all, he was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather whose wisdom, warmth, compassion, and love will be deeply missed by his family and all who had the privilege of knowing him.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 33 years, Jennifer Hope Rho; their children, Jeremy and Janine; his bonus daughter, Jaron Goddard and her husband, Chris, and their children, Samuel and William; his mother, Soon Hi Rho; and his siblings, Yvonne Ramos, Susan Rho and Jong Soo Rho. He is predeceased by his father, Noong Suh Rho.
There will be two memorial services celebrating Dr. Rho’s life. Please join us depending on your location. The east coast service will be held on August 17th, 2026, 11:00am, at Battell Chapel at Yale University. The west coast service will be held at Pioneer Ocean View Church of Christ in San Diego at a later time. Everyone is encouraged to wear blue – his favorite color.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider donating to the Professor Jong M. Rho Memorial Fund established at the International Neurological Ketogenic Society (INKS) to support travel and scholarships for young investigators in the field to attend the biannual INKS conferences.
“Neither fire, nor wind, birth, nor death, can erase our good deeds.” –Buddha
