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List of facts for Howard Rusk from Autobiography

Born on April 9, 1901 in Brookfield Missouri.

Attended University of Mssouri in COlumbia for undergraduate. Cleaned glassware and worked as an orderly. First developed interest in handicapped with fraternity houseboy with leg amputation. Then worked as Missouri state colony for the feeble-minded and epileptic at Marshall. Transferred to University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Returned to Missouri to work as an intern at St. Luke's in St. Louis.

Began practicing in St. Louis. Got married on Oct 20th, 1926.

Became teacher at Washington University Medical school, staff at Barnes, chairman of intern Committee at St. Luke's.

Joined army in 1942 and assigned to Air Force. Appointed chief of medical services at Jefferson Barracks - There he quickly established convalescent program - between acute illness and return to active duty. This program was soon duplicated at other air force bases around the country.

Participated in Baruch Committee in 1943.

In 1944 opened the first Air Force rehabilitation center in Pawling, New York, the first of 12 such centers. Rusk described it as "a combination of a hospital, a country club, a school, a farm, a vocational training center, a resort and a little bit of home as well." Treated airmen returning from battle with physical disabilities and psychological problems.

With the influence of Bernard Baruch, Dr. Rusk convinced president Roosevelt to start rehabilitation programs for all military branches.

In 1945, Rusk was part of the American entourage to attend the Potsdam conference. While on this trip, he discussed rehabilitation medicine with General Bradley. Subsequently, he provided consultation to the VA on the organization of a rehabilitation program following the war.

After the war, Rusk unsuccessfully tried to establish a rehabilitation institute within Washington University. Nonetheless, in December 1945 Rusk moved to New York City, accepting an offer from New York University to establish a department of Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine. He also accepted an offer to work for the New York Times as a weekly medical columnist, extended by Arthur Hays Sulzberger.