Russ Peal, CPRP, CMSR

We are thrilled to announce that Russ Peal, CPRP, CMSR, has been named President-Elect for the Association for Advancing Physician and Provider Recruitment (AAPPR) Board of Directors.  This two-year appointed term, once complete, will transition to Board President for 2027 – 2028.  Both he and the current Board President, Allan Cacanindin, CPRP-DEI, will work closely with the board, CEO and staff to ensure a strategic direction for the Association.

In his employed role, Russ is the Director of Workforce Recruitment and Retention for the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

Russ Peal is the Director of Workforce Recruitment and Retention for the VHA, the largest integrated health care system in the US. In his role, Russ provides strategic direction and executive oversight for the agency’s national efforts to recruit, retain, and develop its most critical clinical occupations. He is credited with establishing VHA’s first in-house physician/provider recruitment operation and led the largest specialty recruitment and hiring initiative in its history. He has more than 30 years of direct experience in the profession – including both the public and private sectors.

Russ is a native Chicagoan, graduate of Eastern Illinois University, and a proud Air Force Veteran. He is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and an Excellence in Government Fellow with the Partnership for Public Service.

Please join us in congratulating Russ Peal on this remarkable achievement by connecting with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/russp/.

A Message from Board President
Allan Cacanindin, CPRP, CDR

AAPPR is proud to announce Russ Peal as its incoming President-Elect. Current Board President Allan Cacanindin, CPRP, CDR, shared the following message on Russ’s leadership and impact:

“Russ Peal’s leadership reflects what is possible when workforce strategy is elevated to a national priority. His dedication to strengthening recruitment, retention, and clinician support across one of the nation’s largest healthcare systems continues to help advance conversations that impact veterans, communities, and healthcare organizations across America.”