Mark D Markel, DVM, PhD
President AO Foundation, Vilas
Distinguished Achievement Professor and former Dean
School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
Member Since: 2024
How has the AAOS helped you throughout your career?
I joined as an Allied member a year ago but have known many within the AAOS throughout my career, since completing my PhD in the Department of Orthopedics at the Mayo Clinic. My relationships with AAOS members have been instrumental to my success both in the research I conduct and the education I’ve been a part of.
As an Allied member, which AAOS resources do you use most and why?
The most impactful resource is the annual AAOS meeting and the ability to network with orthopedic surgeons from across the country.
What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?
The best advice I was given was by the Chair of the Department of Surgery at the University of California – Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine who advised me when making decisions in your life to always try to choose a path that opens more doors than closes, giving you many more opportunities throughout your career.
What’s your go-to productivity trick?
My go-to productivity trick is to always take care of yourself in whatever way that works for you. For me, that’s working out 6 days a week, freeing my mind to think about and try to solve difficult problems with strategic solutions.
What’s one thing you’re currently trying to make a habit?
I’m not sure I have a good answer to that question. Anything that I’ve wanted to make a habit, I’ve done decades ago.
What hobbies do you enjoy in your spare time?
Working out, flower gardening and landscape design, remodeling others homes and spaces with my wife, LuAnn serving as the designer and me as the carpenter/handyman, cooking for family and friends, traveling the globe to connect with other cultures.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that not many people know?
Most know this but my wife LuAnn and I love to spend time at our home in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.