Russell received his associate degree in biology from Suffolk County Community College in 1993 and went on to receive his Bachelor of Science degree in Respiratory Care from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1997. He continued to earn a certificate in Healthcare Policy in 2011 and then finally his Master’s degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 2013.
Russ has over 25 years’ experience in the fields of both respiratory care and sleep diagnostics and therapeutics. Russ began his career at Southside Community Hospital and John T. Mather Memorial Hospital as a respiratory therapist. In 2005, Russ made the transition to work full time in academia in Stony Brook Universities Respiratory Care Program. Russ began as a clinical instructor and was tasked with heading a continuing education program for both Respiratory Therapists and training courses in Polysomnography.
Over the years, Russ has authored or co-authored over 15 articles, presented at various national, state and local conferences, presented numerous poster presentations, consulted as an expert witness, and consulted at opening, managing, and assisted in AASM accreditation at various sleep centers across the tri state area. Russ was an item writer for the NBRC Sleep Disorders Specialist exam, and for several past years, is a writer for the NBRCs Credential Maintenance Program for the Registered Respiratory Therapist and the Sleep Disorders Specialist credentials. He has been a site visitor for Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) Polysomnographic Specialty Option for 19 years and was selected as a site visitor for Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs’ (CAAHEP) Committee on Accreditation for Polysomnographic Technologist Education programs (CoA PSG).
Russ has also been actively involved in various volunteer positions such as a Board Member of the NY State Respiratory Therapy Board (term ending this summer), Past Chair of the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) Professional Review Committee, committee member of the American Association of Sleep Technologists (AAST) Standard and Guidelines Committee and Educational Committee, and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) Sleep Technologist and Respiratory Therapist Education Committee.