Volume 9, Issue 16• September 2 , 2014

www.usuhs.edu

The Official USU Newsletter
On the cover

First-year students at the F. Edward Hébert 

School of Medicine learned about Civil War 

medicine at Antietam National Battlefield, 

site of the bloodiest one-day battle in 

American history. Read more on page 6. Photo by Thomas Balfour

Sharon Holland

Deputy Vice President for External 

Affairs and Managing Editor

Gwendolyn Smalls

Chief, Media Affairs

Master Sgt. Oshawn Jefferson

NCOIC of VPE and Deputy Chief, 

Media Affairs

Christine Creenan-Jones

Editor and Layout Design

MC2 Brittney Cannady

Writer and Photographer

MC3 Laura Bailey

Writer and Photographer

Production

Editorial content is edited, prepared 

and provided by the USU Office of 

External Affairs unless otherwise 

indicated. The Pulse staff may 

include or exclude articles based 

upon news value, impact on the 

university and space availability.

Submissions

The Pulse is published 

biweekly on Mondays. The deadline 

for submissions is at 4 p.m. 

Tuesday prior to the publication 

date. Submissions can be sent to 

christine.creenan-jones@usuhs.edu 

or by calling 301-295-3338.

2 the pulse September 2, 2014

USU launches new ‘Groundbreakers’ web page

by Christine Creenan-Jones, editor 

 The Uniformed Services University is filled with exceptional people 

from all walks of life. These innovators, overachievers and self-starters 

work in USU’s labs, classrooms and 

offices. Each has a unique story to 

tell about their road to academia, 

research or public service, and Army 

Col. (Dr.) Jeff Hutchinson, chief 

diversity officer at the F. Edward 

Hébert School of Medicine, wants to 

hear them all. 

 As CDO, Hutchinson is spearheading diversity efforts to promote 

inclusivity at USU through vehicles 

that jumpstart conversations about 

diversity. 

 “The university recently launched 

a Groundbreakers web page. It features USU personnel who’ve overcome incredible odds to accomplish 

extraordinary feats,” Hutchinson 

said. “The new showcase includes 

USU ‘groundbreakers’ from diverse 

backgrounds, socioeconomic classes 

and cultures with life experiences 

that offer unique perspectives about 

what it takes to succeed.”

 For ‘groundbreaker’ Air Force 2nd 

Lt. Helal Syed, hard work and perseverance were the keys to his success. 

 Despite growing up in a family 

with modest financial means, Syed 

excelled academically and received 

a scholarship to attend Harvard 

University. After earning his bachelor’s degree, Syed was accepted 

into the F. Edward Hébert School of 

Medicine. 

 “Throughout my life, people 

considered me a stereotype, but I 

thought of myself as a prototype. I 

set the bar for others to follow,” he 

said.

 Other inspiring stories about 

USU’s faculty, staff and students are 

also featured on the Groundbreakers Website at http://www.usuhs.

edu/groundbreakers/. 

 “We’re off to a good start but 

would like to hear from as many 

people as possible because the university believes every voice and experience is valuable,” said Hutchinson. “That’s why we’re imploring 

others at USU to share their success 

stories by sending a brief personal 

narrative to outreach@usuhs.edu.” 

Photo by Christine Creenan-Jones

Army Col. (Dr.) Jeff Hutchinson, chief diversity officer at the F. Edward Hébert 

School of Medicine, was integral in launching the Groundbreakers web page 

on the USU website.
3 the pulse September 2, 2014

First EMDP2 students: Living the dream

by MC3 Laura Bailey, writer and photographer

 A small group of service members 

gathered around a table with smiles so 

big one might think they had just won 

the lottery. Although they didn’t win the 

lottery, it certainly felt that way to them. 

They were the first ten active duty service 

members to be selected for the Enlisted 

to Medical Degree Preparatory Program 

at the Uniformed Services University, 

and for them, it was a dream come true. 

 The university partnered with the 

armed services and George Mason 

University to develop and implement 

EMDP2, a new 24-month program currently offered through the Air Force 

and Army that enables highly-qualified 

enlisted service members to complete 

the preparatory coursework for application to medical school while maintaining 

active-duty status. 

 “I had known for a long time that I 

wanted to become a physician,” said 

Tech. Sgt. Charles Mears, a charter member of EMDP2. 

 The ability to remain on active duty 

while chasing his dream of becoming a 

physician was “a match made in heaven,” 

according to Mears. The EMDP2 presents a unique opportunity for service members who 

have an interest in the medical field regardless of 

their job classification rating.

 “I’ve always wanted to do medical but I came in as 

an air traffic controller because it was a good job and 

it was challenging,” said Tech. Sgt. Lindsay Slimski, 

a fellow EMDP2 member. “Before I even joined the 

military, I was going to school for premed at the University of Illinois.” 

 Benefits of the program include the ability to 

remain on active duty while focusing completely on 

school without having to balance a full-time job. Additionally, EMDP2 participants receive full benefits 

and pay as full-time students in the program. 

 “I didn’t know about the program,” said Tech. Sgt. 

Kenneth Johnson, the former non-commissioned 

officer in charge of Microbiology at Wright Patterson 

Air Force Base. “Another NCO, Sgt. Cass Vaughn, 

told me about it in the hallway. He said, ‘I know 

you’re trying to become a doctor,’ and he told me 

about EMDP2 where enlisted guys can become physicians. I was like, ‘Man, stop lying!’” Johnson said. 

“After that I looked it up, I immediately knew I had 

to put in my package.”

 The EMDP2 applicants had approximately six 

weeks to submit their packages for approval, and 

some had to take the American College Testing exam 

in order to qualify, which made applying a rigorous, 

time-sensitive undertaking. 

 “It definitely demonstrated to me their level of 

commitment,” said Althea Green Dixon, director of 

Recruitment and Outreach for the F. Edward Hébert 

School of Medicine at USU. “Their ability not only 

to find a testing location, but also to perform well on 

such short notice – that says something about their 

character and commitment and abilities.”

 Still, the tight lead time did not dissuade applicants 

The Army and Air Force each selected five service members for the Enlisted 

to Medical Degree Preparatory Program at the Uniformed Services 

University. EMDP2 enables highly-qualified enlisted soldiers and airmen 

to complete preparatory coursework for application to medical school 

while maintaining active-duty status. Althea Green Dixon (center, right 

photo) is the director of Recruitment and Outreach for the F. Edward 

Hébert School of Medicine. Dixon played a lead role in launching EMDP2 

at USU.

Photo on right by MC3 Laura Bailey

...continued

Photo on left by Cathy Hemelt
4 The Pulse The Official USU Newsletter

...First EMPD2 

students continued

from applying.

 “I can’t tell you the exact number of 

applicants but based on the volume of 

calls and e-mails that I received from 

the force in general, there is a tremendous amount of interest in this program from across all of the services,” 

said Dixon, a retired Army command 

sergeant major. “It is something that’s 

been talked about for a long time, certainly since my time in the military.”

 The charter EMDP2 class started 

their coursework on Aug. 25 at George 

Mason University, where in addition 

to courses in biology, chemistry and 

physics,they also began preparing 

for the Medical College Admission 

Test. They will submit admissions applications to USU after their first year 

in EMDP2. 

 “This is one of those things that I always thought was possible for me and 

just never had the opportunity,” said 

Staff Sgt. Matthew Little. “The EMDP2 

is that conduit to come here. It’s just 

incredible.”

 Little’s classmates agree. 

 “We get to be the first ones to pioneer this program,” said Johnson. 

“We get to set the bar, and if you give 

us an inch, we’ll just blow the door 

wide open for everyone who comes up 

behind us.” 

 With the support of their families, 

the university and each other, a new 

chapter is unfolding for the charter 

class and USU as a whole.

 “To be the inaugural class – that’s a 

pretty steep honor,” said Staff Sgt. Joe 

Merfeld. “This is a life change for us. 

This is a pinch-yourself, golden-ticket, 

winning-the-lottery kind of opportunity that we’ve embarked on. I still 

wake up at night and think I must be 

dreaming.” 

 

 NaShieka Knight, a recruitment 

and admissions specialist at the F. 

Edward Hébert School of Medicine, 

spends the bulk of her workday 

discussing the unique scholarship 

opportunities available at America’s 

Medical School. In doing so, Knight 

has visited dozens of U.S. cities and 

spoken with hundreds of prospective 

medical students. 

 Whether close to home or far away, 

Knight always talks about USU with 

the same easy conviction of a person 

who believes in her message. 

 “I’m proud to work here. After all, 

USU graduates take care of the men 

and women who serve and defend 

our country. They’re heroes healing 

heroes,” she said.

 But USU’s military officers aren’t 

the only heroes on campus. In fact, 

some might consider Knight one because she volunteers as a youth mentor, ordained minister and women’s 

advocate. 

 “If I can help someone, even in a 

small way, it makes me feel good. I 

get a lot of joy out of seeing people’s 

lives change for the better,” Knight 

said.

 Although Knight was born and 

raised in Maryland, her volunteerism 

runs the international gamut. In 

fact, she recently attended a women’s 

empowerment summit in Senegal 

with the Give 1 Project, an international organization that encourages young leaders to create strong, 

healthy communities through 

economic development.

 “In Senegal, our goal was to inspire 

local women to start businesses, run 

for office, engage in technology and 

explore other professional avenues 

they may not have previously considered,” she said. “Personally, my hope 

is for all women to live by choice, not 

default.” 

 In the past, Knight’s volunteerism 

also led her to Ghana, South Africa, 

Botswana, Zimbabwe, Israel, Jordan 

and Guyana. On these trips, Knight 

rolled up her sleeves to clean schools, 

dig trenches, speak to students, attend conferences to promote education, improve living conditions 

and reduce disparity in developing 

nations. 

 While Knight’s service is driven by 

an intrinsic desire to give back, she’s 

simultaneously pursuing a lifelong 

dream of eventually becoming a U.S. 

ambassador.

 “I love my country and want people 

in other nations to have the same 

opportunities we do. As an ambassador, perhaps I could help make that 

happen with help from international 

leaders,” she said. “By volunteering, 

I’ve already made a lot of really great 

connections, which I believe brings 

me one step closer to my goal.”

USU staff member makes global impact

by Christine Creenan-Jones, editor 

NaShieka Knight, a recruitment and admissions specialist at the Uniformed 

Services University, travelled to a girls’ school in Botswana to speak to local 

children about the importance of completing their education.

Courtesy photo
5 The Pulse The Official USU Newsletter

Student makes USU history before classes begin

by Christine Creenan-Jones, editor

 

 

 Five years ago, Army Sgt. Julie 

Bytnar was leading a very different life. Back then, she was a 

homemaker, living in the suburbs 

of Chicago while her husband, 

Bill, earned most of the family’s 

income. 

 Then, without warning, Bill 

became very ill after a rare bloodclotting disorder ravaged his body. 

Over time, his condition deteriorated and Bill could no longer 

work. Their bills began piling up 

with no reprieve in sight. 

 Julie, desperate to keep hope 

alive, enlisted in the military so 

she could take care of her husband 

and young children.

 “Although I was eligible for a 

commission based on my education and work experience, the 

lead time would have been much 

longer, and I needed a career right 

away,” she said. “So I enlisted 

in 2009 at 38 years old and have 

been learning about the Army 

from the bottom up ever since.”

 Although her uniformed career 

has been short, Julie’s military 

indoctrination was the swift, noholds-barred kind. After proving 

herself at garrison duty assignments as a lead healthcare specialist, Julie deployed to Afghanistan 

in 2011.

 “It was an intense experience. 

I provided a lot of hands-on care 

to wounded service members and 

local Afghans, treating everything 

from minor to life threatening 

injuries,” she said. 

 Julie’s experience 

in Afghanistan also 

changed her career 

focus. Instead of 

simply providing 

care, Julie began 

thinking about the 

bigger picture and 

wondering how she 

could prevent injuries from happening 

in the first place. 

 Her curiosity eventually led her to the 

Uniformed Services 

University, where 

she broke ground as 

the first-ever enlisted 

service member to 

be accepted into a 

graduate-level program.

 “Even though I was 

hopeful, I was still 

very surprised when 

I got my acceptance 

letter from USU,” 

Julie said. “Now I’m working 

toward a Master of Public Health. 

I already have a few classes under 

my belt. They were challenging 

but I feel confident I’ll survive the 

program. I want to prove to myself 

and everyone else that I can do 

this.”

 Although Julie is still uncertain 

about her future after graduation, 

she has a science background and 

a fondness for research that’s pulling her toward a specialization in 

epidemiology.

 It’s a difficult track in a rigorous 

program on a campus full of military officers. Still, Julie’s determination is tenacious.

 “The past few years have been 

tough but I’m more confident 

now than ever before,” she said. 

“I made it through basic training 

with a bunch of soldiers in their 

late teens and early 20s. I’ve 

gone on dismounted patrols in a 

war zone and treated some pretty 

grievous injuries. Now I’m at 

USU. I feel like there isn’t a whole 

lot I can’t do.”

Photo by Thomas Balfour

Army Sgt. Julie Bytnar is the first enlisted person to 

be accepted into a graduate education program at the 

Uniformed Services University.

Congratulations to Robert Parker for answering last issue’s trivia question, “Name 

three occassions where medical students at the Uniformed Services University 

recite the Hippocratic Oath.” His response, “the Welcoming Ceremony, White Coat 

Ceremony and Commencement” was the first correct response.
USU students learn from Battle of Antietam

by MC3 Laura Bailey, writer and photographer

6 the pulse September 2, 2014

 Students at the F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine at the Uniformed Services University completed 

a six-mile road march across the Antietam National 

Battlefield in Sharpsburg, Md., Aug. 21.

 The field exercise, part of the first-year medical 

curriculum, served as an opportunity for students to 

learn about healthcare practices during the Battle of 

Antietam – the bloodiest one-day battle in American history – which took place on Sept. 17, 1862 and 

wounded or killed more than 23,000 men.

 “That particular battle during the civil war had 

the greatest number of casualties in the history of 

America at war, whether it was with ourselves or with 

others,” said Senior Chief Petty Officer William Dow, 

the senior non-commissioned officer in charge of the 

Department of Military and Emergency Medicine 

at USU. “A lot of lessons were learned then as far as 

health service support and mass casualty situations, 

that continue to be valid for today’s military medical students when put in a modern context. The idea 

is to take the students out there so they can see that 

even though this is something that happened 152 

years ago, it is still relevant today.”

 During the march, Civil War experts from USU 

and the National Museum of Civil War Medicine 

presented themselves at different stations where 

students would stop to learn about battlefield strategies and medical aspects of the battle. The intent is 

for students to glean lessons from the past and carry 

them into their future careers as medical officers 

when they’re forward deployed to a combat zone and 

casualties overwhelm the system they have in place.

 “Before this trip, I didn’t have a lot of knowledge 

about medical practices during the Civil War era,” 

said Air Force 2nd Lt. Alex Marquez, a SoM student. 

“I wrongly assumed that healthcare providers during that time used simple tools and worked without 

many of the standards of care that we have today, 

like the use of anesthesia. This march changed my 

view of historical care under fire. I came away from 

the march with an idea of how competent healthcare providers were trying to make sense of chaos. It 

was interesting to hear the lessons learned from this 

battle as well as how some practices performed during that time period are still being used today.”

Photo by Thomas Balfour

First-year medical students at the F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine visited the Antietam National Battlefield to gain 

a better understanding about how Civil War medicine shaped modern combat triage.
7 The Pulse The Official USU Newsletter

PMB graduate students visit Army Institute of Public Health

by MC3 Laura Bailey, writer and photographer

 More than 30 Preventive Medicine and Biometrics graduate students at the Uniformed Services 

University participated in a class 

field trip to the Army Institute of 

Public Health at Aberdeen Proving 

Ground in Maryland in July. The 

field trip was part of the Introduction to Environmental Health 

course taught by Army Lieutenant 

Colonels Alex Stubner and Christopher Gellasch. 

 The students, a combination of 

healthcare providers and scientists, were in the first term of 

various PMB master’s and doctoral programs. The purpose of 

the trip was to show the students 

how AIPH provides environmental 

health support to military installations. 

 This particular field trip presented a unique opportunity because 

not all of the students worked in 

public health before starting their 

graduate degree programs. 

 “A lot of the students, especially 

the physicians and other healthcare providers, didn’t have experience with AIPH and I wanted 

them to see how installation 

environmental health is executed,” 

said Gellasch. 

 During the field trip to AIPH, 

students visited different stations 

for each of the institute’s major 

environmental health programs: 

solid and hazardous waste, air pollution, surface water and wastewater, drinking water, and entomology. Students at the surface water 

station learned how water quality 

at a military facility on Kwajalein 

Atoll in the Pacific Ocean is impacted by hazardous waste disposal that took place more than 

50 years ago. The AIPH scientists 

explained how they studied the 

effects on fish, the ecosystem and 

the health of the local population 

who eat fish from the area. At 

another station, students learned 

about efforts to monitor drinking 

water quality on Army installations. 

 The students learned about other 

aspects of environmental health, 

to include health risks associated with insects. Entomologists 

described surveillance programs 

to find vector-borne emerging 

diseases like Chikungunya, which 

was recently detected in the U.S. 

They also demonstrated traps that 

capture mosquitos in order to determine what diseases they carry. 

 “The students get a feel for how 

environmental health is conducted 

on Army installations so that when 

they’re at a hospital or at another 

activity, and even if they’re not in 

the Army, they understand how 

support happens within public 

health,” Gellasch said.

 The Navy and Air Force students 

in the class gained a greater appreciation for how the Army provides 

environmental health support to 

installations. 

 “Trying to tie in these hands-on 

experiences on these field trips 

really improves learning,” said 

Gellasch. 

 His feelings were echoed by 

several students who provided 

written feedback at the end of the 

learning experience.

 “The field trips overall were 

fantastic. I enjoyed most of the 

site visits and learned a great deal 

about the actual operations beyond the classroom,” commented 

one student on his evaluation 

form.

Photo by U.S. Army Public Health Command

Dr. Lisa Ruth, a biologist with the U.S. Army Public Health Command’s 

Water Resources Program, explains field water support programs to students 

from the Uniformed Services University who visited the USAPHC to view 

demonstrations and exhibits as part of the Introduction to Environmental 

Health class at USU.
Final Frame

The Uniformed Services University hosted Diversity 

Day, Aug. 14. The family-friendly event included music, 

food, games and performances from around the world.

All photos by Thomas Balfour