Volume 9, Issue 15• August 18 , 2014

www.usuhs.edu

The Official USU Newsletter
On the cover

First-year students at the F. Edward Hébert 

School of Medicine practice life-saving 

medical procedures in simulated combat 

environments during the Advanced Combat 

Medical Experience. Read more about 

ACME on page 2. Photo by MC2 Brittney Cannady

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 August 18, 2014

First-year students take part in ACME course

by MC2 Brittney Cannady, writer and photographer 

 First-year students at the F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine are 

currently participating in a course 

that tests their ability to provide 

care under fire. The Advanced Combat Medical Experience, or ACME, 

focuses on enhancing necessary 

medical skills vital to personnel in 

combat zones.

 “The goal of ACME is to develop 

and reinforce the knowledge, skills, 

and attitudes necessary to perform 

effective pre-hospital assessment 

and stabilization of combat-wounded casualties. The students go 

through a series of Combat Medical 

Skills laboratory sessions during 

their first year of medical school,” 

said Air Force Maj. (Dr.) Craig 

Goolsby, ACME course director. 

“ACME is a chance to synthesize 

the knowledge and skills they have 

learned in an intensive, realistic, 

simulated casualty care environment.”

 Over the course of the exercise, 

students must work together in 

teams of four and are tasked with 

providing medical support while 

under fire from aggressors. Volunteers in cut suits play wounded patients and faculty and staff instructors evaluate each team on their 

ability to treat casualties, prevent 

further casualties and complete 

the mission – all important steps 

of the tactical combat casualty care 

sequence students learn at the Uniformed Services University. 

 Some of the medical procedures 

USU students practice include performing tracheostomies and inserting IVs in simulated combat environments. Working in teams, they 

also practice crisis communication 

techniques, develop strategic plans 

and implement pain management 

strategies. 

 “The team that worked on me 

definitely communicated back and 

forth with each other and told me 

what was going on with my injuries. 

I think they did a good job as a team 

and were knowledgeable,” said 

Army Sgt. Laura Kephart, a cut suit 

volunteer.

 The ACME course ends August 

20.

First-year medical students at the Uniformed Services University triage a 

critically wounded patient during a simulation exercise called the Advanced 

Combat Medical Experience, Aug. 12.

Photo by MC2 Brittney Cannady
3 the pulse August 18, 2014

Dr. Stephanie Petzing: A civilian trailblazer in military medicine

by Christine Creenan-Jones, editor

 Stephanie Petzing – a postdoctoral fellow at the F. Edward 

Hébert School of Medicine at the 

Uniformed Services University – 

has been living and breathing science for as long as she can remember. As a young girl, trips to the 

family farm doubled as her first 

biology lessons, and treks through 

Washington, D.C., museums were 

fodder for an ever-growing curiosity about worldly phenomena.

 As time wore on, Petzing’s passion for science intensified and 

eventually morphed into a career 

goal that gained major traction 

when she was accepted into USU’s 

Emerging Infectious Disease Program in 2005 and joined the lab of 

Dr. Christopher Broder. 

 “I was very excited to come to 

USU because the mission is so 

unique and important here. The 

idea that I could help protect 

service members and civilians 

through science resonated with 

me on a personal level because my 

father and grandfather, a brigadier 

general, served in the Army, and 

I’ve always been incredibly proud 

of my military roots,” she said.

 As both a USU student and fellow, Petzing parlayed this pride 

into novel research while studying 

Cedar virus, a close cousin of the 

deadly Nipah and Hendra viruses. 

However, unlike its relatives, Cedar virus appears to be harmless 

to people and animals.

 “We’re studying the differences 

between Cedar, Nipah and Hendra 

viruses with the hopes of learning more about what makes the 

latter viruses so dangerous. Unfortunately, Nipah and Hendra 

outbreaks are fairly common in 

Australia and Southeast Asia, and 

since we have a strong U.S. military presence in these parts of the 

world, getting a handle on these 

deadly viruses is paramount,” she 

said.

 Although Petzing has been 

deeply invested in henipavirus 

research for the better part of a 

decade, she’ll soon chase a new 

breakthrough after being awarded 

a coveted Science and Technology 

Policy Fellowship from the American Association for the Advancement of Science earlier this year.

 As an AAAS Fellow, Petzing 

will use her scientific acumen to 

inform policy for the Department 

of Defense at the Pentagon while 

learning more about evidencebased decision making at the 

federal level.

 “Even though I’m really excited 

to turn a new scientific leaf, I’ll 

definitely miss USU. I learned so 

much here. In fact, a large portion 

of my selection as an AAAS Fellow 

can be attributed to the skills and 

perspectives I gained here,” said 

Petzing. “USU is well known as a 

military health sciences university, 

and the excellent civilian researchers who train and work here are a 

big part of that, too. I’m humbled 

to be a part of this exceptional 

peer group, and I know my USU 

education has prepared me well 

for the next phase of my career. I 

can’t wait to get started.”

Dr. Stephanie Petzing, a postdoctoral fellow at the Uniformed Services 

University, was recently awarded a Science and Technology Policy Fellowship 

from the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Photo by Thomas Balfour
4 The Pulse The Official USU Newsletter

Brigade enlisted “chat” with CMSAF Cody

by MC3 Laura Bailey, writer and photographer

 Brigade staff members at the Uniformed Services University participated in a live “CHIEF Chat” with 

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force 

James A. Cody at Defense Media 

Activity, Ft. Meade, Md., July 30. 

 CHIEF Chat, created by Cody, is 

an opportunity for airmen across 

the globe to have a direct connection to the CMSAF.

 Of particular interest during the 

chat was the new Airman Comprehensive Assessment, a system 

introduced in July that will help 

implement the Weighted Airmen Promotion System changes. 

The new ACA provides a tool and 

process to improve communication 

between supervisors and subordinates. With the numerous changes 

happening due to force restructuring, the CHIEF Chat also benefitted 

members from other services.

 “A couple of brigade sailors and 

soldiers also attended the CHIEF 

Chat,” said Senior Master Sgt. Bonnie Sanchez, the superintendent of 

the Department of Family Medicine at USU. “It was important for 

them to hear what future changes 

are expected in our Air Force. Due 

to our tri-service environment 

at USU, we have many Air Force 

personnel who are supervised by 

sister service members and it is 

important that they are aware of 

these changes as they will have 

a direct impact on their subordinates’ careers.” 

 Members of the audience were 

invited to ask questions and voice 

their concerns which presented a 

unique opportunity for USU audience participants. 

 “I think this event was beneficial 

as it dispelled all of the rumors that 

are going around,” said Tech. Sgt. 

Rondriceaus Barlow, the NonCommissioned Officer in Charge 

in the Department of Psychiatry at 

USU. “We all know that changes 

are coming and most people fear 

the unknown. It was very beneficial to hear what the changes are 

and the expected outcome of these 

changes directly from the source. 

It’s refreshing to know that they’re 

going to reward airmen for their 

performance, to learn that those 

people are going to be recognized 

who are actually going above and 

beyond as opposed to getting the 

same rating as their counterpart 

who didn’t do as much. That was 

by far the biggest take-away for 

me.”

 Overall, CHIEF Chat was a 

positive experience for everyone 

involved. 

 “I felt so much pride in our organization,” said Sanchez. “...having 

our airmen, sailors and soldiers in 

attendance representing the Uniformed Services University in front 

of Air Force senior leadership, was 

our way of displaying unity and 

camaraderie as an integrated triservice organization.” 

Kelly receives Distinguished 

Service Award from ACCP

by Christine Creenan-Jones, editor

 Army Col. (Dr.) William Kelly, director of the Internal 

Medicine Clerkship at the Uniformed Services University, 

was lauded by the American College of Chest Physicians 

(CHEST) with a Distinguished Service Award for his leadership and contributions to the society recently.

 Kelly – who serves as CHEST’s vice chair and chair-elect 

for Education – was recognized by the ACCP for developing games for medical education. These teaching platforms 

engage scholars at all levels through immersive computer 

technology. Kelly was also commended for producing the 

annual CHEST Challenge, a medical knowledge competition 

for fellows-in-training, now played internationally

 “It’s been a privilege being able to serve with and learn 

from my colleagues in the CHEST organization ever since 

my own fellowship and I am grateful for Associate Dean Lisa 

Moore’s mentorship,” he said.
5 The Pulse The Official USU Newsletter

GSN receives maximum accreditation from CCNE

by MC3 Laura Bailey, writer 

 

 

 The Daniel K. Inouye Graduate School of Nursing at the 

Uniformed Services University 

received the maximum allowable 

accreditation for its Doctorate of 

Nursing Practice degree programs 

earlier this year.

 The rigorous accreditation process requires a self-study to ensure 

national standards are met in addition to an on-site evaluation and 

report conducted by an external 

committee. Those findings are 

then submitted to the Commission 

on Collegiate Nursing Education 

to determine whether or not the 

school meets the standards and 

then to decide the number of years 

for which the accreditation will be 

awarded. 

 Receiving the maximum accreditation speaks volumes about the 

DNP nursing programs at USU.

 “The reviewers told us that our 

approach was impressive in terms 

of involving the faculty,” said 

Dr. Carol Romano, the ex officio 

of the Self-Study-Accreditation 

Committee and associate dean for 

Academic Affairs at the GSN. “We 

formed a task force of faculty so 

that the faculty took ownership of 

articulating how the program did 

or did not meet the standards. In 

the GSN shared governance model, faculty own the curriculum, 

and they are in the best position 

to evaluate it against the national 

standards.”

 Carol Ledbetter, an expert panel 

member at the American Academy 

of Nursing and a past chairman on 

the Board of Commissioners for 

the CCNE, was brought onboard 

to mentor USU through the arduous accreditation process. 

 “When I met with the faculty, 

they were completely engaged,” 

said Ledbetter. “I think that’s one 

of the reasons they really did so 

well. They were able to tell the 

story of what’s going on now at the 

GSN and what they are aspiring to 

do in the future. A continuous improvement process is in place and 

they’re very actively participating 

in that part of the accreditation 

process.” 

 Accreditation by CCNE is a 

voluntary, self-regulatory process 

that ensures the integrity of more 

than 1,000 programs across the 

U.S. 

 “Accreditation is a non-governmental process and it is conducted 

by members from post-secondary 

institutions and professional 

groups,” said Ledbetter. “This is 

the top level of peer review for a 

graduate school of nursing and for 

the programs they offer.”

 Overall, the hard work that went 

into the accreditation paid off. 

 “They (the GSN) did everything 

just absolutely by the book,” said 

Ledbetter. “They really worked 

together under their model of selfgovernance to really bring their 

self-study and the on-site visit to 

fruition and did a beautiful job.”

The Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree at the Daniel K. Inouye Graduate 

School of Nursing received the maximum allowable accreditation from the 

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Photo by Thomas Balfour

What do you want to read about? Pulse staff members are always looking for suggestions. 

Submit your story ideas to Christine.Creenan-Jones@usuhs.edu. 
New Junior, Senior Employees of the Quarter Selected

by Christine Creenan-Jones, editor

6 the pulse August 18, 2014

 Nikki Shird-Oyola and Erin Quiko 

were selected as the Junior and Senior Employees of the Quarter at the 

Uniformed Services University, respectively. Both were commended for 

their outstanding work performance 

across multiple domains.

 For Shird-Oyola, a travel assistant in 

the university’s Administrative Support Division, this includes processing 

overseas clearances, disseminating 

mass transit subsidy information 

and handling all passport and visa 

requirements for official USU travel. 

Recently, her efficiency and expertise 

even contributed to USU passing a 

Passport Acceptance Facility Inspection by the U.S. State Department, 

thus allowing necessary, mission-essential travel to 

continue without interruption or hindrance. 

 “Ms. Shird-Oyola is conscientious about the quality 

of services she provides to customers. It is not unusual to find her working diligently at her desk to finish a project or to catch up on a backlog. When asked 

to perform a last minute task, she does so without 

delay or hesitation,” said Karen Moore, director of 

ASD, in her nomination letter.

 Quiko, a program support specialist in the USU 

Department of Medicine, received similar praise 

from Dr. Louis Pangaro, chair of the Department of 

Medicine at USU.

 In his nomination letter, Pangaro lauded Quiko’s 

ability to coordinate clinical clerkship experiences 

at Naval Medical Center San Diego. As part of this 

work, Quiko facilitates essential curricular and 

faculty activities with USU’s non-billeted, national 

faculty and support staff at NMCSD. Her thoroughness and ability to multitask benefits several clinical 

departments and more than 200 medical students 

each year. 

 “Mrs. Quiko’s work ethic serves as a role model for 

the department, and her tireless assistance given to 

students is an embodiment of the core departmental 

and university mission. Her efforts are an integral 

part of delivering a consistently high-quality curriculum and are critical to the successful clinical clerkship programs at NMCSD. Just as importantly, she 

demonstrates a genuine concern for the well-being 

of USU students, and strives to ensure their needs 

are being met, whether academic or personal,” said 

Pangaro.

 As part of their awards packages, Shird-Oyola and 

Quiko will receive a cash award and reserved parking 

for the duration of the award quarter. 

Nikki Shird-Oyola Erin Quiko

Back to School Trivia Question #1

 Name three occasions where medical students 

at the Uniformed Services University recite the 

Hippocratic Oath.

 The first person to e-mail their correct response 

to Christine.Creenan-Jones@usuhs.edu wins a 

large coffee and doughnut courtesy of the USU 

Cafeteria.
7 The Pulse The Official USU Newsletter

USU curriculum changes spur MDL renovations

by MC2 Brittney Cannady, writer

 The Multidisciplinary Laboratories are currently undergoing renovations in support of recent curriculum changes at the Uniformed 

Services University.

 “About three years ago, the university began its curriculum reform 

for students, which added more 

labs but not spaces, which we had 

to make. We did that by splitting 

the existing rooms into quadrants,” 

said MDL Director Willie Allen.

 Once the renovations are complete, small groups instruction can 

take place in a laboratory quadrant, 

thereby freeing up the remaining 

space for other educational activities. This will give university faculty the flexibility to host multiple 

classes simultaneously in spaces 

that have sound-proof dividers and 

new projector screens, computers 

and flat screen monitors.

 “When we first started, we had 

to make sure that as much of the 

lab could be used as possible. 

What we envisioned for the rooms 

was for them to be used for small 

groups in a divided mode, which 

will allow teaching to be done 

without the use of the entire room,” 

said Allen. 

 All major MDL projects are expected to be completed before the 

end of the year.

The Multidisciplinary Laboratories are undergoing renovations to meet the 

changing academic needs at the Uniformed Services University.

Photo by MC2 Brittney Cannady

Archives brings USU history to life with new showcase

by Christine Creenan-Jones, editor

 A new exhibit called the “USU Archives Audiovisual Showcase” is currently on display at the 

James A. Zimble Learning Resource Center. 

 The showcase includes digitized audiovisual 

footage from past commencements, early recruitment videos, Congressional hearings about USU 

and other historically significant events. 

 These artifacts were chosen because they represent important milestones in the university’s 

heritage while also providing a retrospective look 

at campus life.

 “We hope visitors will get a glimpse of the history of USU through audiovisual materials in a 

way they can’t through just paper or photographic 

documentation. It will be a thrill for visitors to 

actually see pivotal moments of the university’s 

history in action,” said Emelie Rubin, an institutional archivist at the LRC.

 The “USU Archives Audiovisual Showcase” can 

also be viewed online at www.youtube.com/channel/UC4mlLgnjVXl1v_BNvhVf8nA.

The Learning Resource Center at the Uniformed Services 

University is showcasing a new exhibit that can also be 

viewed on YouTube.
Final Frame

Photo by MC3 Laura Baiely

Incoming medical students at the Uniformed Services University were fitted for helmets as part of their 

inprocessing, Aug. 6.