Saari, Russell, PA-C

Russell Saari, PA-C, is a provider for Bridger Orthopedic at Livingston HealthCare. He was born in Caldwell, Idaho and grew up in Grand Junction, Colorado. Saari earned his Bachelor’s Degree in psychology from University of Maryland, University College, College Park; Doctor of Chiropractic from Texas Chiropractic College, Pasadena, Texas; a Bachelor’s of Medical Science in Physician Assistant, from Midwestern College of Health Sciences, Glendale, Arizona Campus and his Masters of Physician Assistant Science in Family Practice Medicine from University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine, Omaha.

Saari’s orthopedic career has encompassed 28 years with the United States Navy, both stateside as well as tours to Africa and Afghanistan. Saari says orthopedics is a field that is especially interesting to him because “I like to know and see how things work. I enjoy fixing things. The difference between fixing fighter jets and people is that jets merely spit out data, while the connection with people is much more satisfying.”

All the same, Saari still enjoys tinkering with motors and takes particular pride in rebuilding suspensions such as his off road 4x4 rock crawler. “There’s less at stake with machines, but it’s not as rewarding,” he adds.

Saari and his wife of 30 years, (who is also his high school sweetheart), were especially drawn to Livingston because they both feel more at home in a small community. Saari says a small town reminds him somewhat of the environment in the military in which relationships were cultivated by proximity. “You see people beyond just the work environment – the community becomes part of you,” he says.