USU Newsletter 

VOLUME 2,ISSUE 16 WWW.USUHS.MIL OCTOBER 1, 2007 

In This Issue 

Medical Historian.............................2 

Navy Surgeon General..................2 

Courage to Care for Me.................3 

Deinococcus......................................3 

Cancer Cells Mimic Stem Cells.....4 

Ultimate Champions.......................5 

USU-Tube...........................................6 

News Briefs........................................7 

Calendar.............................................8 

USU — Our Nation’s Best Kept Secret 
USU Newsletter 

Editorial Staff 

Carol R. Scheman 

Vice President for 

External Affairs and 

Managing Editor 

Tech. Sgt. 

André Nicholson 

Editor 

Mass Communications 

Third Class 

Jeffrey Hopkins 

Assistant Editor 

Mass Communications 

Specialist 

Seaman 

Raul Zamora 

Assistant Editor 

 

Sharon Willis 

Contributing Writer 

Marla Wright 

Webmaster 

Publishing 

USU Duplicating Office

Production: 

Editorial content is 

edited, prepared and 

provided by the USU 

Office of External Affairs unless otherwise 

indicated. The Newsletter staff may include 

or exclude articles 

based upon news 

value, impact on the 

university and space 

availability. 

Submissions: 

The USU Newsletter 

will be published biweekly on Mondays 

and deadline for submission is Friday at 4 

p.m. Submissions can 

be sent to usunewsletter@usuhs.mil or call 

301-295-3925. 

PAGE 2 

Cover Photo By: 

MCSN Raul Zamora 

 He came to the Uniformed Services University of 

the Health Sciences (USU) as 

an assistant professor of 

Medical History July 2,1982 

and now 25 years later Dr. 

Dale Smith not only remains 

in government service but 

also remains here at USU. 

"All twenty five years have 

been right here," he said. "I 

was promoted to associate 

professor in 1986 and became professor and chair in 

1997 (Department of Medical History). For the last sixteen months I have also 

been the acting senior vice president." 

 Dr. Smith came to USU from the University of Minnesota where he taught for four years in the Department 

of the History of Medicine. Since coming here he's 

served on almost every committee, taught for almost 

every department, and in all the affiliated hospitals. He's 

done undergraduate medical education, graduate 

medical education, continuing medical education, as 

well as nursing and graduate education. 

 Dr. Smith has published two books and 73 other 

publications (papers, chapters, etc.). He's been a talking 

head for PBS, Discovery, History Channel, A&E, BBC4, 

and FOX with a total of 11 TV documentaries. He has 

been on the National Institutes of Health study section 

for history of the life sciences twice, served as a specialty reviewer for the National Science Foundation and 

the Natioanl Endowment for Humanities, and been on 

the editorial boards of three history and six medical 

journals. He's served as an external examiner for the 

Ph.D. at seven universities for 11 students. 

 "I'm teaching my second generation of USU students 

as the children of my early students are returning to the 

school," Dr. Smith said. "I have promised to consider 

retirement when the third generation shows up." 

Medical Historian Reaches 

25th year of Government Service 

 “On August 27, 2007, I succeeded Vice Admiral Don Arthur as 

Surgeon General of the Navy. Admiral Arthur’s inspirational leadership 

and commitment to excellence have 

put Navy medicine in good stead. 

My vision for Navy medicine is simple: maintaining a fully ready force 

by recruiting and retaining outstanding healthcare personnel, and 

excellence in clinical care, graduate 

education, and research, which are 

the foundation stones of Navy medicine. As we move forward, we must 

never lose sight of the fact that Navy 

medicine is many vital components 

working together. It is focusing on 

the health of our service members 

and their families while providing 

responsive and compassionate care 

to all our beneficiaries; and it is humanitarian assistance and disaster 

relief. It is a true honor to serve with 

you, and I look forward to the challenges and successes that lie 

ahead.” 

 Vice Admiral Adam M. Robinson, 

Jr, Medical Corps, became the 36th

Surgeon General of the Navy and 

the Chief of the Navy’s Bureau of 

Medicine and Surgery in August 

2007. 

 He succeeded VADM Donald C. 

Arthur, MC, who retired from the 

Navy after 33 years of service. Arthur assumed duties as Navy Surgeon General in August 2004. 

 Most recently, Robinson was the 

commander of the National Naval 

Medical Center at Bethesda, Md., 

and commander Navy Medicine 

National Capital Area and chief of 

the Medical Corps. He also has held 

a variety of clinical research, operational, staff, and leadership positions 

with the Navy. He is a native of Louisville, KY, and holds a Doctor of 

Medicine degree from the Indiana 

University School of Medicine. He 

entered the Naval Service in 1977 

through the Armed Forces Health 

Professions Scholarship Program, 

and was promoted to flag rank in 

2004. 

 The Chief of Naval Operations 

was the guest speaker at the 

change of command ceremony, 

which was held at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. 

 He is the author of numerous 

presentations and publications. 

VADM Robinson holds fellowships 

in the American College of Surgeons 

and the American Society of Colon 

and Rectal Surgery. He is a member 

of the Le Societe Internationale de 

Chirurgie, the Society of Black Academic Surgeons, and the National 

Business School Scholastic Society, 

Beta Gamma Sigma. He holds certification as a Certified Physician Executive from the American College of 

Physician Executives. 

 VADM Robinson’s personal decorations include the Distinguished 

Service Medal, Legion of Merit (two 

awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), 

Navy Commendation Medal, Joint 

Service Achievement Medal, Navy 

Achievement Medal and various 

service and campaign awards. 

Navy Surgeon 

General Shares 

His Vision 

VADM 

 Adam M. Robinson, Jr. 

Medical Corps, 

Navy Surgeon General, 

Chief, Bureau of 

Medicine and Surgery 

Dr. Dale Smith 
PAGE 3 

 “Courage to Care for Me”, a project of the Uniformed Services 

University of the Health Sciences’ (USU) Center for the Study of 

Traumatic Stress, is a recipient of the 2007 American Graphic Design Award. The prestigious award recognizes the center’s project, 

one of over 10,000 entries, as representing “the best and brightest 

in graphic design.” 

 Courage to Care for Me was piloted by the center during April’s 

Month of the Military Child www.couragetocareforme.org. Center 

scientists, Drs. Stephen Cozza and Derrick Hamaoka, and public 

education specialist, Nancy Vineburgh developed the unique and 

colorful Courage to Care for Me logo in collaboration with Digital 

Design Group of Boston. The logo was emblazoned on white, 

pink and blue onesies (infant apparel). The award winning logo 

also appeared on a clothing tag attached to the onesie that described the purpose of the Courage to Care for Me project – to 

reinforce positive parenting during the stress of deployment, a 

time when courage is as important on the home front as on the 

battlefield. 

 The program received positive feedback from the military sites 

that distributed it. These sites included National Naval Medical 

Center Pediatrics Clinic, the Uniformed Services University Health 

Center, the USU Spouses’ Club, the Ft. Carson’s Family Advocacy 

Program, and new 

mothers groups in the 

Washington D.C. 

area. Center Director, 

Dr. Robert Ursano, 

chairman and professor of the Department 

of Psychiatry, believes 

that “projects such as 

Courage to Care for 

Me are important 

tools that health educators and practitioners can use to foster 

resilience amongst 

service members and 

their families, especially during the stress of deployment.” 

 The Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, part of the Department of Psychiatry of USU, conducts research, education, consultation and training on preparing for and responding to the psychological effects and health consequences of traumatic events. 

These events include natural (hurricanes, floods and tsunami) and 

human made disasters (motor vehicle and plane crashes, war, 

terrorism and bioterrorism). The center’s work spans studies of 

genetic vulnerability to stress, individual and community responses to terrorism, and policy recommendations to help our 

nation and its military and civilian populations. For information 

about CSTS visit www.usuhs.mil/csts.

‘Courage to Care for Me’ 

Receives 2007 American 

Graphic Design Award 

 Results of a recent study titled 

“Deinococcus geothermalis: The Pool of 

Extreme Radiation Resistance Genes 

Shrinks,” was published in the Sept. 26 edition of PLoS ONE. The study headed by 

Michael J. Daly, Ph.D., associate professor at 

the Uniformed Services University of the 

Health Sciences’ (USU), Department of Pathology, reports the whole-genome sequence of Deinococcus geothermalis, 

which is only the second for an extremely 

radiation- and desiccation-resistant bacterium. The first was for the Guinness World 

Records-holder Deinococcus radiodurans, 

which for 50 years has been the subject of 

extensive investigations aimed at solving 

the mystery of how this microbe and its 

close relatives survive immense doses of xrays and gamma-rays. 

 Most surprisingly, many of the unique D. 

radiodurans genes that were strongly implicated in resistance over the last decade 

have turned out to be unrelated to its survival, and are not present in D. geothermalis. Using computer-based systems to 

compare the D. geothermalis genome sequence with the sequence of D. radiodurans, a minimal set of genes which encode extreme resistance was defined. Far 

fewer genes than initially believed appear 

to be responsible for the extreme resistance 

trait, which bodes well for the long-term 

prospects of conferring radiation resistance 

to other organisms. The phenomenal resistance of Deinococcus bacteria has given 

rise to numerous descriptions of their origin, including that they evolved on Mars 

under harsh cosmic radiation. The present 

analysis firmly places the origin of Deinococcus bacteria on Earth, where the evolutionary steps that led to their survival 

mechanisms clearly occurred in their terrestrial ancestors - most likely in a desert near 

you. 

 The complete manuscript can be read in 

PLoS ONE at: 

http://www.plosone.org/doi/pone.000095

5. PLoS ONE is an open-access, peerreviewed journal which reports primary 

research from all disciplines within science 

and medicine. By not excluding papers on 

the basis of subject area, PLoS ONE facilitates the discovery of the connections between papers whether within or between 

disciplines.

 Deinococcus geothermalis was chosen 

for whole-genome sequencing by the U. S. 

Department of Energy (DOE), Office of 

Science, Office of Biological and Environmental Research with Dr. Daly as the Principal Investigator. The genome sequence 

was acquired at the DOE-Joint Genome 

Institute (JGI), Walnut Creek, CA, and subjected to comparative analysis at the National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National 

Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Md. D. 

geothermalis was previously engineered by 

Daly’s group for cleanup of radioactive 

waste sites. The three-year project was a 

collaboration between USU, DOE-JGI, NIH, 

DOE’s Advanced Photon Source and Pacific 

Northwest National Laboratory, and the 

Russian Academy of Sciences. 

Tough Enough 

for Mars, but 

Deinococcus is 

from Earth 
PAGE 4 

 Three faculty members from the Uniformed Services University of 

the Health Sciences’ (USU) Graduate School of Nursing (GSN) have 

been elected as Distinguished Practitioners in the National Academies 

of Practice (NAP). 

 COL Bruce Schoneboom, Dr. Diane Seibert, and Dr. Gloria Ramsey, 

will be inducted into the NAP Nov. 3. The three GSN associate professors were among only 18 nominees from the Nursing Academy selected this year and will receive a medallion at that banquet. 

 The NAP is a group of national interdisciplinary leaders including: 

the Medicine Academy, the Nursing Academy, the Social Work Academy, the Psychology Academy, the Optometry Academy, the Osteopathy Academy, the Podiatry Academy, the Pharmacy Academy, and 

the Veterinary Medicine Academy. It was founded in 1981 to advise 

governmental bodies on problems of health care. More recently it has 

focused on developing the interdisciplinary field. It was then, as it is 

today, the only interdisciplinary group of health care practitioners 

dedicated to addressing the problems of health care. The National 

Academies of Practice is dedicated to quality health care for all, by 

serving as the nation's distinguished interdisciplinary policy forum that 

addresses public policy, education, research and inquiry. 

USU’s Graduate School of Nursing 

Faculty Members Elected as 

Distinguished Practitioners 

 Anti-cancer treatments often effectively 

shrink the size of tumors, but some might 

have an opposite effect, actually expanding 

the small population of cancer stem cells believed to drive the disease, according to findings presented Sept. 19 by Vasyl Vasko, M.D., 

Ph.D., a scientist at the Uniformed Services 

University of the Health Sciences’ Department 

of Pediatrics (USU), at the American Association for Cancer Research's second International Conference on Molecular Diagnostics in 

Cancer Therapeutic Development. 

 "Our experiments suggest that some treatments could be producing more cancer stem 

cells that then are capable of metastasizing, 

because these cells are trying to find a way to 

survive the therapy," said Dr. Vasko. 

 "This may help explain why the expression 

of stem cell markers has been associated with 

resistance to chemotherapy and radiation 

treatments and poor outcome for patients 

with cancers including prostate, breast and 

lung cancers," Dr. Vasko said. "That tells us 

that understanding how to target these markers and these cells could prove useful in treating these cancers." 

 The cancer stem cell markers include 

Nanog and BMI1, both of which contribute to 

stem cells' defining ability to renew themselves and differentiate into different cell 

types, Dr. Vasko said. These same molecules 

are found in embryonic stem cells. 

 Researchers have recently debated the 

notion that some therapies are not capable of 

eradicating cancer because they do not target 

the cancer stem cells responsible for tumor 

development. To test this hypothesis, Dr. 

Vasko, along with scientists from the CRTRC 

Institute for Drug Development in San Antonio and from the Johns Hopkins University, 

set out to measure both stem cells markers 

and tumor volume before and after treatment 

in a mouse model. 

 They selected a rare form of cancer, mesenchymal chondrosarcoma (MCS), which has 

not been well described and for which there 

is no effective treatment. The researchers first 

determined that Nanog and BMI1 stem cell 

markers were more highly expressed in metastatic tumors compared to primary tumors. 

"This suggests that expression of the marker 

plays some role in development of metastasis," 

Dr. Vasko said. 

 They then applied various therapies - from 

VEGF inhibitors such as Avastin to the proteasome inhibitor Velcade - in mice implanted 

with human MSC, and analyzed the effects on 

tumors. Some of the treatments seemed to 

work, because they led to a dramatic decrease 

in the size of the tumors, Dr. Vasko said. But 

analysis of stem cell expression before and 

after treatment revealed that even as some 

anti-cancer treatments shrank tumors, they 

increased expression of Nanog and BMI1. 

"These treatments were not enough to completely inhibit tumor growth, and the cancer 

stem cell markers were still present," Dr. Vasko 

said. 

 Use of the agents Velcade and Docetaxel 

led to the most significant increase in stem cell 

markers within the treated tumor, while ifosfamide and Avastin inhibited expression of 

the markers in this cancer subtype. 

 "We hypothesize that the tumor escapes 

from chemotherapy by induction of stem cell 

marker expression," he said. "The small number of cells that survive the treatment could 

then generate another tumor that metastasizes." 

 If scientists understood the pathways cancer stem cells use to survive treatment or increase their ranks, then therapeutic targets 

could be developed, Dr. Vasko said. Some 

novel therapies are already being tested 

against cancer stem cells, he added.

 Information obtained from the American 

Association for Cancer Research. 

Some Cancer Cells 

Mimic Stem Cells 

 Emergency health care providers will soon have access to the latest 

version of software that can provide diagnostic information to help 

physicians make casualty treatment decisions during radiation exposure incidents. Army Colonel Patricia K. Lillis-Hearne, director of the 

Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute (AFRRI), released version 1.0 of the Biodosimetry Assessment Tool (BAT) to members at the 

institute’s Board of Governors meeting Sept. 21. 

 “This is part of the institute’s continuing effort to provide medical 

professionals with automated information tools and guidance that 

can be used to assess the level of radiation exposure and determine 

the appropriate treatment options,” said COL Lillis-Hearne. 

 Members of the AFRRI Board of Governors, chaired by Assistant 

Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs S. Ward Casscells III, were the 

first to receive the latest BAT software as one component of AFRRI CD 

07-1, Radiation Training and Assessment Tools, Fourth Edition. In early 

October, others will be able to request to download BAT version 1.0 

via the AFRRI website at: 

http://www.afrri.usuhs.mil/www/outreach/biodostools.htm#software 

 The BAT software application and other radiation biological dosimetry tools for emergency responders were developed in a research 

program led by Dr. William F. Blakely, AFRRI, Scientific Research Department. 

 BAT, which fits on a single mini CD-ROM, requires a standard 32-bit 

Windows XP operating system and can be installed on a laptop PC. 

Using checkboxes and text entries, the user enters information about 

the exposure situation and a victim’s symptoms, blood counts, and 

dose level. The program compares that data with established radiation dose responses and provides a dose assessment in a concise format. 

 “The AFRRI CD serves as a ready reference for health care professionals who may have to respond to radiation casualty events,” said 

Army Colonel John Mercier, chief of AFRRI Medical Operations. 

New software to aid treatment decisions 

during radiation exposure incidents 
PAGE 5 

 Look, up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a... Frisbee? This 

picnic must-have has had several popular sports based around it; 

the most well-known and often-played is “Ultimate,” a game which 

combines the rules of football, soccer, and basketball. 

 Dr. Mike Schell, assistant professor of Pharmacology at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU,) is an avid 

Ultimate enthusiast, and has played with various teams and clubs 

since finishing his undergraduate studies at Indiana University in 

Bloomington. 

 The Lansing, Mich., native explained that Ultimate is a combination of the rules of several sports, played with a Frisbee.

 “Ultimate is played with a flying disc on a field about the size of 

a football field,” Schell said. “It’s a non contact sport, but there’s 

incidental contact, especially on the leaps and catches. Players 

score a goal by throwing the disc to another teammate in the opposing end zone.” 

 Also known as “Ultimate Frisbee,” the sport is popular with people of all ages, from elementary school on up. 

 “It’s actually played a lot in the service academies. I know that 

the Boy Scouts can earn a merit badge in Ultimate,” Schell said. 

 The sport was played as recently as 2006 among soldiers at 

USU as a popular form of physical training. 

 “It’s a popular sport for a variety of reasons, practical and athletic,” Schell said. “It’s the only sport I know of that, even at the 

highest level, is played without a referee; the calls are all made 

by players on the teams. It’s the so called ‘spirit of the game,’ 

where you’re supposed to honor the calls of fouls from the other 

team.” 

 Schell said he began playing Ultimate when he took a job as a 

laboratory technician at a medical school in Indianapolis. 

 “I had just graduated from Bloomington in 1985, and had 

started a job in a lab at Indiana University Medical School in Indianapolis as a lab technician. I wasn’t getting as much exercise as 

I was in college,” Schell said. “There was an ad in the paper 

about the Ultimate team in Indianapolis, the ‘Ultimate Eagles.’ 

They were practicing relatively close to where I lived, and I just 

showed up. For the first half of the season, I refused to wear 

cleats, so they called me the ‘Barefoot Mountain Man.’ I was 

completely inexperienced, but I ran fast. I had raw ability, but I 

didn’t have any skills.” 

 Last year, Schell and his team competed for and won the title 

of American Grand Masters Ultimate Frisbee (AGMUF) champions. 

The team, mostly consisting of players Schell knew from his graduate education days at Johns Hopkins University, called themselves 

“Rigor More Disc,” and competed against four other teams in the 

tournament. 

 Schell said the peak age for Ultimate players is mid-twenties, 

because the sport requires a lot of speed and stamina. 

 “The ‘Grand Masters’ league is for people over 40,” Schell said. 

“Because the sport tends to be straining on your knees and stamina, lots of people drop out before they reach that age, and tend to 

migrate to other Frisbee sports like Frisbee golf, which is a little bit 

easier on the body,” he said. 

 Schell said he values Ultimate as an entertaining way to work up 

a good sweat, as well as a great way to meet friendly people. 

 “I like the fact that I can get a good workout and enjoy myself at 

the same time,” Schell said. “I like all the running, because I’m a 

pretty strong runner, and the camaraderie is excellent; the people 

who play are always very open and friendly.” 

 Schell added that the almost universal popularity of the sport 

makes pick up games easy to participate in, wherever one travels. 

 “I really like the fact that one can travel anywhere in the United 

States and throughout much of the world and check on the internet to meet up with people playing Ultimate anywhere,” he said. 

 This year’s AGMUF Championship will be held this week in 

Montreal; Schell will not be participating this year due to a knee 

injury, but said he hopes to play next year. 

Ultimate 

Champions 

in our 

Midst 

By MC3 Jeff Hopkins 

Assistant Editor, Office of External Affairs 

Courtesy Photo 

Mike Schell, Ph.D., assistant professor of Pharmacology, USU (top 

far left,) with “Rigor More Disc,” the 2006 American Grand Masters 

Ultimate Frisbee Champions. 
PAGE 6 
Navy Uniform Shift: 

 All Naval personnel within the Naval District Washington area 

shifted to winter uniforms Oct. 1. For E-7 and above, the uniform 

is service dress blues or khakis; for E-6 and below, the uniform is 

service dress blues or winter blues. BDUs will be worn with sleeves 

down. 

PFT/PFA/APFT Notice: 

 The Army APFT, Navy PRT, and Air Force APFT will be conducted at 7a.m. and noon on the following dates of Oct. 3, 5, 10, 

12, 15, and for all faculty, staff, and students (excluding SOM). 

Naval personnel must complete the Health Risk Assessment questionnaire and Physical Health Assessment annually; Navy weighins must be conducted between 10 days and 24 hours prior to the 

Navy PRT. For more info, contact SFC Abram, USA (MEM) at (301) 

319-8207. 

USU Ballroom Dance Club: 

 Have you ever wanted to learn how to dance but just don’t 

know how to get started? A new dance group itarted at USU, and 

the next meeting is planned for Oct. 5 at 5 p.m. No experience is 

necessary and no partner is required. This is open for all USU students, faculty, friends, and family. The first lesson was on Salsa. If 

you are interested in joining, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/

group/USUHSballroom/ and click join group. 

CFC:

October 16 will mark the CFC Kickoff for our organization. There 

will be a barbecue, several charities, a guest speaker and door 

prizes. The event will begin at 11a.m, and conclude at 1p.m.. If 

you have any questions, or would like to assist with the CFC effort, 

please contact CPT Nicholas Horton: nhorton@usuhs.mil or 295 

9433. 

Armed Services Blood Drive:. 

 The Student Spouses Club and the USUHS Medical School Class 

of 2010 are proud to be hosting the Armed Services Blood Drive. 

Your donation will support soldiers wounded in combat operations, your local military hospital, and active duty and retired military and family members. It will take place in the USU Cafeteria 

Lobby Oct. 9, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

 Reserve a time that works for you by making an appointment. 

Appointments can be made in the cafeteria from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

thru Oct. 5. Walk-ins are also welcome on the day of the Blood 

Drive. T-shirts, mugs, and other goodies for those who donate. An 

ice cream social will be held for the department with the highest 

participation! 

GSN Awards Ceremony

 The Graduate School of Nursing will be conducting an awards 

ceremony for its students Oct. 5 in Lecture Room C. all are invited 

and encouraged to show their support. 

USU News Briefs 

PAGE 7 

Dr. D.C. in “TRI to Understand” 

By MC3 Jeff Hopkins & MCSN Raul Zamora 
USU Calendar of Events 

30 1 2 3 

Administrative 

Officers 

Departmental 

Respresentatives 

Meeting 

For more information 

contact Dawn Dubois 

Patti at 

301-295-3104 

dpatti@usuhs.mil

10:30 a.m. 

Lecture Room C 

Neuroscience 

Seminar: Genetic 

Analysis of 

Neurological 

Disorders 

3 p.m.

Lecture Room A

4 5 

Army—APFT 

Navy—PRT 

Air Force—AFPT

6 

7 8 

Columbus Day 

Federal Holiday 

9 10 

Army—APFT 

Navy—PRT 

Air Force—AFPT

11 

LRC Training 

Classes: Introduction to PowerPoint. 

Register online at: 

http://training.lrc.u

suhs.mil/lib/trainin

g_reg.php. 

319-4039 

295-3357 

for questions 

4 p.m. - 5 p.m. 

LRC

12 

Army—APFT 

Navy—PRT 

Air Force—AFPT

13 

14 15 

LRC Training 

Classes: PubMed 

Basics 

Noon -1p.m. Register online at: 

http://training.lrc.us

uhs.mil/lib/training_

reg.php. Please call 

319-4039 or 295-

3357 if you have 

questions.

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21 22 23 24 25 26 27 

October

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