Ruoning (Lemon)

Ni

MD, RhMSUS

What inspires you to practice medicine?

I decided to go into medicine because of my mom. She was a nurse and she has a rheumatic disease called ankylosing spondylitis that caused her a lot of pain. Watching how she cared for others while also dealing with her own health challenges showed me how strong and caring someone can be. I want to help people the way she did—and support patients the way she deserves to be supported.

Why did you choose rheumatology?

I’ve always been drawn to puzzles and detective stories—the challenge of connecting clues and uncovering hidden patterns. Rheumatology mirrors that spirit, with each patient presenting a complex clinical mystery. Also, it’s always been important to me to understand my mom’s disease—not just from a clinical perspective, but to honor her experience and the strength she showed every day.

I decided to specialize in vasculitis because...

Living in Iowa, where many individuals are affected by vasculitis—a condition marked by inflamed blood vessels—I realized the difference that specialized, thoughtful care can make. To deepen my understanding, I pursued advanced training in vasculitis at the Cleveland Clinic through the Vasculitis Clinical Research Consortium (VCRC) and the Vasculitis Foundation (VF), where I gained insight into the nuances of individualized care and how treatments can be tailored to each unique case. As a sub-specialty within rheumatology, vasculitis rewards my curiosity, critical thinking, and persistence.

What specific area of vasculitis will be the focus of your work?

Vasculitis refers to a group of complex conditions that can feel overwhelming—even to healthcare providers without specialized training. I’m focused on improving early diagnosis in vasculitis—because I’ve seen how much it matters. One patient from rural areas had delayed care, and by the time the diagnosis was made, the disease had progressed too far. I believe that if we had caught it earlier, she might have preserved vision. That experience drives my work. I’m also working on a fast-track clinic for vasculitis (such as giant cell arteritis), so people can get diagnosed and treated before permanent damage. My goal is to make sure patients don’t fall through the cracks—and to help healthcare providers recognize vasculitis sooner.

I joined UI because...

I joined UI because of the strong vasculitis patient population here and the way Iowans connect with their healthcare providers—with trust, openness, and a deep sense of community. During my rheumatology fellowship at UI, I am surrounded by compassionate healthcare teams who inspire me every day. It feels like the right place to continue my work and contribute to a team that truly cares.