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Changing of the Guard: New AAHA President Steps Up
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Russak has “bled AAHA red” for almost 40 years. by Kate Spencer
n the face of a profession struggling with a sluggish economy and ris- ing student debt, incoming AAHA president Mark Russak, DVM, is stepping up to tackle the chal-
lenges head-on and secure a bright future for AAHA and the veterinary profession. Russak took over as the new president
of AAHA at the end of the annual March AAHA meeting in Denver, Colo. Self-described as the kid who was
always bringing home birds, squirrels and other wildlife to nurse them back to health, Russak says being a veterinarian was the only thing he ever wanted to be. “My parents were supportive, and
the local veterinarian was wonderful,” Russak recalls. “He helped me with my Samaritan interests without charging me, and he let me volunteer in the summers, leaving a lasting impression.” During the Vietnam era, Russak signed
up for the Air Force and took the veteri- nary technician path. After discharge, he applied to the College of Veterinary Medicine at Colorado State University, embarking on his veterinary career. Russak’s involvement with AAHA
began when he was in veterinary school in 1976 and was awarded the AAHA stu- dent award for clinical proficiency in med- icine and surgery. For Russak, winning the award was something very special. “I was very proud of the award
because I was selected by the clinical faculty and it was one of the few awards
Trends magazine, Month 2012
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