About Dr. Fernandez Ruiz
Dr. Ruth Fernandez Ruiz joined HSS in 2022 as an Assistant Attending Physician and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College. She received her medical degree from the Universidad Central de Venezuela, graduating top of her class (Magna Cum Laude) on a research track. She then practiced general medicine in rural and urban underserved areas in Venezuela, followed by completion of a two-year internal medicine residency program at the Hospital de Clínicas Caracas, where she served as chief resident during her last year of training. Dr. Fernandez Ruiz also trained in internal medicine at the University of Iowa, after which she did her rheumatology training and chief fellow year at New York University Langone Health.
After completing her two-year clinical fellowship in 2020, Dr. Fernandez Ruiz continued her research training at NYU as a postdoctoral fellow in the lab of Dr. Timothy Niewold, studying the mechanisms by which a gene variant in PRKG1 associates with high type I interferon activity in systemic lupus erythematosus, for which she received pilot grant funding from the NYU CTSI. As a postdoctoral fellow, she also co-led multiple research projects assessing the impact and outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. During her time at NYU, Dr. Fernandez Ruiz obtained a Master of Science in Clinical Investigation (Translational research program) at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine in 2021. She also received a Resident/Fellow of the Year Award by the National Hispanic Medical Association, Rheumatology Fellow of the year award by NYU, and Distinguished Fellow Award from the American College of Rheumatology.
As a physician-scientist, Dr. Fernandez Ruiz's research interests focus on the interplay between genetic variation, type I interferons and immune dysregulation in systemic lupus erythematosus, as well as the molecular mechanisms underlying the clinical heterogeneity and organ damage in this disease. Dr. Fernandez Ruiz specializes in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus, undifferentiated connective tissue disease, Sjogren's syndrome, inflammatory arthritis, along with other rheumatologic conditions.
Profile Video
Departments
Specialized Centers
Lupus and APS Center of Excellence
Special Expertise
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Rheumatic diseases in Latinx/Hispanic patients
Procedures
Intra-articular aspirations and injections
Patient Stories
Videos
Insurance
If your insurance is not listed, please call our office if you have questions regarding your insurance coverage. If you have out-of-network benefits, then your insurance may reimburse you for a portion of your office visit. We will work with you and your insurance to minimize your out-of-pocket costs. Financial assistance may be available for patients in need.
Credentials
Appointments
Assistant Attending Physician, Hospital for Special Surgery
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College
Certification
American Board of Internal Medicine – Internal Medicine
American Board of Internal Medicine – Rheumatology
Awards
ACR Distinguished Fellow Award. American College of Rheumatology, 2020
Resident/Fellow of the Year Award. National Hispanic Medical Association, 2020
Rheumatology Fellow of the Year 2018-2019. NYU Langone Health, 2019
ACR/ARP Annual Meeting Travel Scholarship. American College of Rheumatology, 2019
Best Clinical Research Poster: 2nd place. University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, 2017
ACP resident clinical vignette competition: 2nd place. University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, 2016
Honorable Mention: Dr. José María Vargas Annual Award for Scientific Basic Research. Universidad Central de Venezuela, 2014
Magna Cum Laude. Universidad Central de Venezuela, 2009
Graduation with Honors: Research Distinction. Universidad Central de Venezuela, 2009
Luis Razetti Graduation Award: In recognition of extracurricular activities throughout medical studies. Universidad Central de Venezuela, 2009
Lorenzo Campins y Ballester Award; Highest GPA award. Universidad Central de Venezuela, 2009
Student Merit Award: Mention Research. Universidad Central de Venezuela, 2008 and 2009
Student Merit Award: Mention Academic Performance. Universidad Central de Venezuela, 2007
Education
Luis Razetti School of Medicine - Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela, 2009
Internship
Hospital de Clinicas Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela, 2012
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, 2016
Residency
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, 2018
Fellowship
New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, 2020
New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 2022
State Licensure
Languages
English, Spanish
Publications by Dr. Fernandez Ruiz
For all publications, please see the PubMed listing.
Selected Books/Chapters
Fernandez-Ruiz, R., Efthimiou P. Clinical Genetics in Rheumatology (Chapter 19; p.447-465). In Absolute
Rheumatology Review, 1 ed (Editor: Petros Efthimou). Springer Nature. [E-Book available at:
https://www.springer.com/us/book/9783030230210]. E-book ISBN 978-3-030-23022-7. Softcover ISBN 978-3-030-
23021-0.
Fernandez-Ruiz, R., Niewold T. The Interferon System in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Chapter 21; p. 171-178).
In Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Basic, Applied and Clinical Aspects, 2nd edition (Editor: George C. Tsokos).
Academic Press. [E-Book available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128145517000210].
ISBN: 978-0-12-814551-7.
Fernandez-Ruiz, R., Toprover, M., Pillinger M. Inflammation and its Chemical Mediators (Chapter 11; p.96-108). In
Rheumatology, 8th edition (Editors: Hochberg MC, Gravallese EM, Silman AJ, Smolen JS, Weinblatt ME, Weisman
MH). Elsevier Health Sciences. [Status: In Press].
Selected Presentations
Nln, I., Fernandez-Ruiz, R., Wampler Muskardin, T., Tuminello, S., Mukundan, A., Itturate, E., Petrilli, C., Abramson, S., Aravinda, C., Niewold, T. (November 2021). Interferon Pathway Lupus Risk Alleles Modulate Risk of Death from Acute COVID-19. Poster presented at: ACR Convergence 2021. November 2021. Abstract in: Arthritis Rheumatol. 2021; 73 (suppl 10).
Fernandez-Ruiz, R., Shum, J., Van Buren, K., Niewold, T. (November 2021). Functional Effects of a Lupusassociated PRKG1 Variant on the RhoA-ROCK Pathway and Response to Type I Interferon. Poster presented at: ACR Convergence 2021. November 2021. Abstract in: Arthritis Rheumatol. 2021; 73 (suppl 10).
Fernandez Ruiz, R. (December 2020). Research Updates: PRKG1 Gene Variant and Type Interferon in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Seminar Series, Division of Rheumatology. NYU Langone Health; New York, NY.
Fernandez-Ruiz, R., Masson, M., Kim, M., Myers, B., Haberman, R.H., Castillo, R., Scher, J., Guttmann, A., Carlucci, P.M., Deonaraine, K., Golpanian, M., Robins, K., Chang, M., Belmont, H.M., Buyon, J.P., Blazer, A., Saxena, A., Izmirly, P. (November 2020). COVID-19 in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Poster presented at: ACR Convergence 2020 Annual Meeting. November 2020. Abstract in: Arthritis Rheumatol. 2020; 72 (suppl 10).
Blazer, A., Fernandez-Ruiz, R., Masson, M., Haberman, R.H., Castillo, R., Scher, J., Algasas, H., Guttmann, A., Carlucci, P.M., Deonaraine, K., Golpanian, M., Robins, K., Chang, M., Belmont, H.M., Buyon, J.P., Saxena, A., Izmirly, P. (November 2020). Neighborhood Deprivation and Race/Ethnicity Affects COVID-19 Risk and Severity in SLE. Abstract presented at: ACR Convergence 2020 Annual Meeting. Abstract in: Arthritis Rheumatol. 2020; 72 (suppl 10).
Fernandez Ruiz, R. (May 2020). Functional analysis of the PRKG1 allele associated with type I interferon in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Translational Research in Progress (TRIP Seminar). Clinical and Translational Science Institute. NYU Langone Health; New York, NY.
Fernandez Ruiz, R. (April 2019). Mechanisms of Accelerated Atherosclerosis in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
Seminar Series, Division of Rheumatology. NYU Langone Health; New York, NY.
Fernandez-Ruiz, R., Kumar, B., Ballas, Z., Vogelgesang, S., Singh, N. Clinical Features and Management of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and a Coexisting Immunodeficiency Disorder (April, 2019). Poster presented at: 2019 Clinical Immunology Society Annual Meeting; Atlanta, GA. Abstract in: J Clin Immunol 2019; 39: 1–151.
Strouse, J., Donovan, B., Fatima, M., Fernandez-Ruiz, R., Jelliffe-Pawlowski L., Baer R. J., Smith C., Bandoli C., Paynter R., Parikh N., Ryckman K., Singh, N (June 2018). The Impact of Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases on Birth Outcomes in an Ethnically Diverse Cohort of Women in the United States. Poster presented at: EULAR 2018 Congress; Amsterdam, Netherlands. Abstract in: Ann Rheum Dis. 2018; 77: 531.
Ayesha, B., Fernandez-Ruiz, R., Lieberman, S., Shrock, D., Field, E., Singh, N. (November 2017). Clinical and
Serologic Features of Patients with Positive Minor Salivary Gland Biopsy for Sjögren's Syndrome: A 16 Year
Experience. Poster presented at: 2017 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting; San Diego, CA. Abstract in: Arthritis Rheumatol. 2017; 69: (suppl 10)
Research
Industry Relationships
Industry Relationships
One of the goals of HSS is to advance the science of orthopedic surgery, rheumatology, and related disciplines for the benefit of patients. Physicians at HSS may collaborate with outside companies for education, research and medical advances. HSS supports this collaboration in order to foster medical breakthroughs; however HSS also believes that these collaborations must be disclosed.
As part of the disclosure process, this website lists physician collaborations with outside companies. The disclosures are provided by information provided by the physician and other sources and are updated regularly. Further information may be available on individual company websites.
As of February 01, 2022, Dr. Fernandez Ruiz reported no relationships with the healthcare industry.
By disclosing the collaborations of HSS physicians with industry on this website, HSS and its physicians make this information available to their patients and the public, thus creating a transparent environment for those who are interested in this information. Further, the HSS Conflicts of Interest Policy does not permit physicians to collect royalties on products developed by him/her that are used on patients at HSS.