The Department of Rheumatology at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University was established in the early 1990s and is one of the earliest specialized units in rheumatology and immunology in China. After years of development, the department has become a comprehensive center for the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic and immune diseases, integrating clinical care, teaching, and research. It is renowned for its expertise in managing complex and difficult rheumatic and immune disorders and holds significant influence in the domestic academic community. Currently, it is a doctoral degree-granting unit under the Ministry of Education and a training base for rheumatology specialists designated by the National Health and Family Planning Commission. Under the leadership of renowned senior rheumatologists, including Professor Yin Peida, former Director Yang Xiuyan, and current Director Yang Niansheng, the department has achieved sustained and rapid development. It now has 13 specialist physicians, including 4 professors or chief physicians and 3 associate professors or deputy chief physicians. The department boasts 4 doctoral supervisors and 3 master's supervisors, with most physicians holding doctoral degrees or having overseas study experience. It serves as a member unit of the Rheumatology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association and a vice-chairman unit of the Guangdong Rheumatology Society. The department has also achieved commendable results in clinical and basic research. Over the past five years, it has undertaken more than 20 projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and provincial/ministerial research funds, and has published over 30 SCI-indexed research articles in internationally renowned rheumatology and immunology journals, including *Arthritis & Rheumatism*, *Rheumatology*, *Lupus*, *Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism*, *Clinical and Experimental Immunology*, *International Immunopharmacology*, *Rheumatology International*, *Modern Rheumatology*, and *Clinical Rheumatology*. Additionally, as a deputy editor unit, it has contributed to the compilation of the national standardized training textbook for resident physicians, *Rheumatology*, under the National Health and Family Planning Commission. Senior Professional Staff: Yang Niansheng, Xu Hanshi, Yang Xiuyan, Liang Liuqin Associate Senior Professional Staff: Ye Yujin, Lian Fan, Zhan Zhongping