Volume 6, Issue 16 October 21, 2011

www.usuhs.mil

The Official USU Newsletter
On the cover

Maybe it was a surgical training 

exercise or maybe it was just an Air 

Force representative who decided 

that the student lounge needed a bit 

of Halloween dress-up. The Pulse staff 

appreciates the effort!

Photo by Ken Frager

Sharon Willis

Deputy Vice President for External 

Affairs and Managing Editor

Ken Frager

Public Affairs Specialist

Staff Sgt. Matthew Rosine

Production Editor

MC1 Chad Hallford

Writer

Christine Creenan-Jones

Contributing Writer

Lori Fields

Layout and Design

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 will be published 

bi-weekly on Mondays. The 

deadline for submissions is at 4 p.m. 

Tuesday prior to the publication 

date. Submissions can be sent to 

usunewsletter@usuhs.mil or by 

calling 301-295-0895.

2 The Pulse The Official USU Newsletter

Receiving, Distribution, 

and Records team plays critical role 

by Ken Frager

You ordered office supplies or equipment for your lab, but you haven’t 

received it yet. Who do you call to 

check on the order? 

Chances are high that if there is an 

item in your office, lab, or classroom 

Distribution and Records (RDR) branch 

has processed it into the university. 

Whether it is a textbook, gas cylinder or 

microscope, RDR ensures that the items 

are properly received and recorded 

before making the delivery. 

During the recently completed fiscal 

year, these stalwart workers remained 

dedicated to the timely processing 

of more than 33,500 transactions, 

with the goal of completing deliveries within 48 hours. Under the direction of Mr. Eric Smith, these dedicated 

workers get the job done. 

“We have the benefit of some 

good technology that we can use to 

keep track of packages and orders,” 

said Mr. Smith. “But when it comes 

right down to it, I feel like it is our 

interaction with our customers 

and our ability to understand and 

respond to their concerns that makes 

us successful.” His team encourages customers to remain proactive and to contact RDR early on if 

they feel there may be issues arising. 

Whatever it is that our customers 

are trying to locate, it is very important to them, even though we may 

not fully understand it. So we have 

to handle each transaction carefully, 

process it quickly, and make sure 

that it is either stored properly or 

delivered quickly. We are handling 

materials for the University, for 

AFRRI, and for all of the offsite 

locations, and we understand there 

could be a lot on the line.” 

According to Mr. Smith, if there 

is ever a question about a package or 

delivery, his team will pull out all stops 

to get an answer quickly. The RDR 

team can be reached at 295-9523.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew Rosine

Members of the RDR team include (from left to right): Glen Nugent, John Rutherford, 

Barry Turner, Eric Smith, Gordon Privott, Jeremy Belk, Talibe Moore and Robert Carter.
 ree outstanding USU doctoral 

students received fellowships for the 

2011-2012 academic year from the 

Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the 

Advancement of Military Medicine.

Jeremy Gilbreath, a fourth-year 

graduate student in the Emerging Infectious Diseases Program, 

received the Val G. Hemming 

Fellowship. Mr. Gilbreath, who 

works in the laboratory of Dr. Scotty 

Merrell, is investigating the structure 

and function of a protein that exhibits the unusual ability to regulate 

gene expression in both iron-bound 

and iron-free forms of the protein. 

is research may create a better 

understanding of the development of 

new drug targets and vaccine strategies for the prevention of H. pylori, 

which currently infects nearly half 

the worldwide population.

“I feel honored,” said Gilbreath. 

“I’m a very motivated student, and 

I pride myself on my hard work and 

dedication. But, for the immediate 

future, I will keep plugging away and 

working toward nishing my degree.”

Camden Elliott, a h-year student 

in the Medical and Clinical Psychology program at USU, received a 

Henry M. Jackson Fellowship. Ms. 

Elliott is completing her thesis project 

in Dr. Marian Tanofsky-Kra’s 

laboratory, spearheading a feasibility study to assess a new intervention involving parent training in the 

prevention of pediatric obesity. She 

hopes her research will help identify 

a successful approach to address the 

growing rates of childhood obesity.

Kerry Whittaker, a sixth-year 

student in Dr. David Krantz’s lab 

within the Medical and Clinical 

Psychology program, also was awarded 

a fellowship from HJF for her project 

-

vascular behavioral medicine.

Ms. Whittaker’s research focuses 

on the relationship between positive 

psychosocial factors like optimism and 

adaptive coping skills on improved 

October 20, 2011 3

Jackson Foundation names 2011-12 fellowship awardees 

cardiovascular health. She says she 

hopes this research will contribute to 

the understanding of how increasing 

patient optimism and adaptive coping 

styles may mitigate or protect against 

million Americans each year.

“I feel extremely lucky to be supported 

not only by my lab and the Medical 

Psychology department, but by the 

whole,” said Ms. Whittaker.“To know 

that HJF also values my research and 

supports my doctoral dissertation work is 

not only validating, but also humbling.”

-

organization established in 1983. It 

is authorized by Congress to support 

medical research and education at the 

Uniformed Services University of the 

Col. (Dr.) Sean Murphy (SoM ‘85), the Air Force deputy assistant surgeon general for 

Health Care Operations, shows a copy of Life Magazine from the year he was born, 

which corresponded with the rst graduating class from the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Murphy was the guest speaker for the Air Force’s 64th Birthday celebration ceremony.

Col. Murphy spoke about the honor, history and heritage the Air Force has garnered in 

its relatively short existence. Also during the ceremony Sta Sgt. Ann Ebony and Lt. Col. 

Linda Hogan cut the Air Force birthday cake together. It is a tradition that the youngest 

and oldest Airmen present at the ceremony cut the cake.

AirForce celebrates64years of service

Photo by Thomas C. Balfour

Health Sciences as well as the broader 

military medical community.

Photo by Ken Frager

2011-2012 HJF Fellows (shown left to right): 

Ms. Kerry Whittaker, Mr. Jeremy Gilbreath 

and Ms. Camden Elliott
4 The Pulse The Official USU Newsletter

Medical icon hangs up white coat after 50 years

by Christine Creenan-Jones

More than fifty years ago – when 

Dr. John Potter’s medical career was 

just beginning – cancer was a mystery. 

Treatment for the complex disease was 

rudimentary, hopeless in some cases 

even. A lot of work needed to be done 

in the field. 

Fresh out of medical school, Dr. 

Potter was eager to leave his footprint 

on a fledgling discipline. Cancer care 

and research needed pathfinders, so he 

made this mission his life’s work.

Dr. Potter’s resolve led him to the 

National Cancer Institute (NCI) in 

Maryland. The bleakness was everywhere – some of the direst forms of 

cancer were treated in NCI’s wards. But 

for Dr. Potter, the desperation for better 

solutions reverberated most in the 

pediatric unit.

“The children at NCI were all unique. 

We treated boys and girls of different races and ages with many kinds of 

tumors, but they shared one disturbing 

similarity. Almost all would die from 

cancer,” he said. “This realization made 

Center. After being appointed to USU’s 

Board of Regents by President William 

Clinton, he discovered new possibilities 

for cancer research.

“As a Regent, I had the opportunity 

to visit places where service members 

received treatment for cancer. I was 

surprised there was no military cancer 

center, which I felt would improve 

patient care and research,” Dr. Potter 

said. “I shared my feeling with USU’s 

president at the time, and the Board of 

Regents approved the creation of the 

United States Military Cancer Institute 

(USMCI) soon thereafter.”

Under Dr. Potter’s leadership, the 

USMCI mobilized military-unique 

assets that have enormous potential 

to benefit cancer research in profound 

ways. A large population willing to 

participate in clinical trials, access 

to some of the world’s best oncologists, and a vast database of electronic 

records are some of the USCMI’s most 

unique resources. 

“There are 9.2 million military 

beneficiaries around the world. Of 

these, more than 300,000 people will 

undergo cancer treatment or follow 

up this year,” Dr. Potter said. “The 

USMCI has tremendous opportunities that just aren’t possible anywhere 

else, because no other cancer center 

in the world comes close to reaching our patient numbers or research 

participation rates.”

Though still in its infancy, the 

USMCI has driven cancer recovery 

into new and exciting directions. Dr. 

Potter, however, is no longer leading 

the charge. He retired in September 

after more than five decades of groundbreaking service.

“Dr. Potter is the kind of physician we should all try to emulate,” 

said USU President Charles Rice, 

M.D. “He tackled a difficult problem 

with voracity and brought innovative 

solutions to the forefront of cancer 

care. His vision and fortitude have 

changed our university, military 

medicine and the world.”

a huge impression on me, and it’s an 

experience I’ll never forget.” 

Those grim images of early cancer 

care led to powerful breakthroughs. Dr. 

Potter and other pioneers in the field 

have transformed the face of modern 

science in lifesaving ways. Today, more 

people are surviving cancer than ever 

before and the cure rate for childhood 

cancer is 80 percent.

Places like the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, founded in 1974 

by Dr. Potter, were at the helm of this 

medical revolution. Unlike traditional 

hospitals, the innovative center had 

one focus – find better ways to care for 

cancer patients. 

“Lombardi makes a tremendous 

difference,” Dr. Potter said. “No 

doubt about it, treatment here and 

at other cancer centers is superior, 

because they have the organization of 

team effort that doesn’t exist in many 

other settings.”

Dr. Potter’s important contributions didn’t stop with the Lombardi 

Photo by Ken Frager

Dr. John Potter, who retired from the United States Military Cancer Institute after more than a 

half-decade of cancer research, accepts a gift from USU president Dr. Charles L. Rice. Among 

the guests at Dr. Potter’s retirement ceremony recently were his family, friends, and associates, 

including Louis M. Weiner, M.D., director of the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center at 

Georgetown University and Frank Charles Carlucci III, the 16th United States Secretary of 

Defense, who served during the Reagan administration.
October 21, 2011 5

HPRC Health Tips

The Human Performance 

Resource Center Health Tips is a 

new column intended to provide the 

USU community with information to 

help develop and maintain a healthy 

lifestyle. Check out the HPRC website 

at: http://humanperformancere

sourcecenter.org.

Tips for helping children cope 

with deployment 

1) Increase your knowledge/

awareness of deployment-related 

issues. 

Understand the various ways 

in which a family is affected by 

deployment. 

Understand the stages of the 

deployment cycle. 

Find ways to improve public 

awareness of the need for support 

within communities. 

2) Increase your knowledge of 

and vigilance for depression and 

stress symptoms: 

Learn to recognize signs and 

symptoms of depression and other 

mental health concerns. 

Understand common emotional 

phases in children and teenagers 

during times of deployment. 

3) Increase opportunities for 

connection and support: 

Show concern for your child. 

Many teens will refuse to express 

their concern over a deployment 

but will often respond to concern 

shown for them. 

Help kids form networks with 

peers who have gone through 

or are going through a parent’s 

deployment. 

Provide opportunities for activities to keep children distracted. 

Recognizing signs of distress 

in children

During deployment, the 

parent at home plays a pivotal 

role in providing support for 

their children. Recognizing 

signs of deployment-related 

stress allows you to intervene 

and prevent future concerns. In 

young children, signs include 

unexplained crying, sleep difficulties, eating difficulties, and 

fear of new people or situations. 

In adolescents, signs include 

acting out, misdirected anger, 

and loss of interest in hobbies. 

Overcoming jet lag without 

medications 

If you’ve ever switched time 

zones, even as little as one hour, 

you may be aware that it can 

disturb your sleep and even 

disorient you in the following 

days. Without taking any medicinal countermeasures, you can 

typically adapt to your new time 

zone with about one hour of 

extra sleep per day after arrival 

(depending on with direction 

you’re traveling). However, some 

operations require that you be 

able to perform within 24 hours 

of arrival. To better prepare and 

adjust to your new time zone, 

use these strategies: 

One week before you travel, 

adjust your sleep schedule about 

one hour per night towards the 

time zone you are flying in—i.e., 

if flying eastward, go to bed and 

get up earlier; if flying westward, 

sleep later. 

Before you take off and while 

on the aircraft, eat light snacks, 

avoid alcohol, and stay hydrated 

(with water). 

On the aircraft, make sure 

that you are comfortable and 

able to nap before you arrive at 

your destination. 

Setting your watch to your new 

time zone as soon as you board 

your flight will help you transition. 

Take a short nap when you 

arrive at your new location, if 

you’re able to do so. 

USU ranked at the 

top for gains in 

Federal funding 

for science

by VPE staff

The National Science Foundation recently ranked the Uniformed 

Services University of the Health 

Sciences (USU) at the top in the 

nation for the greatest increase in 

federal research funding. USU faculty 

and staff were responsible for an 893.9 

percent jump over a 10-year period 

for schools with research and development in science and engineering. 

The report listed the top 100 universities which had experienced the 

biggest gains in federal funds between 

1999 and 2009.

“This success is directly attributable 

to the high quality of faculty we have 

here at the USU,” said USU president 

Dr. Charles L. Rice. “The overwhelming majority of our research is directly 

relevant to our mission, including traumatic brain injury, suicide, 

emerging infectious diseases and 

tropical diseases. This could not have 

happened without the support in 

the office of the Vice President for 

Research and the Henry M. Jackson 

Foundation for the Advancement of 

Military Medicine.”

Rounding out the top ten were: 

New Mexico Institute of Mining 

and Technology (342.4 percent 

increase); Drexel University; University of Louisville; University of South 

Florida; University of Central Florida; 

Medical University of South Carolina; 

University of North Dakota; North 

Dakota State University; and, University of Maryland Baltimore County.
6 The Pulse The Official USU Newsletter

Howell named senior employee 

by Staff Sgt. Matthew Rosine

USU opens new season for FTX

by Staff Sgt. Matthew Rosine

Marsha Howell, a budget analyst 

in the Office of the Dean for the 

Graduate School of Nursing (GSN), 

is the latest Senior Employee of the 

Quarter at USU.

Despite the accolades and praise, 

Howell remains humble about her work. 

“I really am very surprised that I 

was picked,” she said. “There are just 

so many good people here that deserve 

this kind of recognition. It is still hard 

for me to believe.”

Howell began her USU career five 

years ago and has been called a “linchpin” of the administrative personnel at 

the GSN. As the school’s budget coordinator, Howell has provided her expertise as the GSN continues a 10-year 

re-accreditation process, involving 

major changes in the USU financial and 

accounting procedures. 

Her efforts to process more than 

$552,000 in acquisitions, including $106,000 in teaching contracts, 

helped to sustain an important course 

for 75 master’s degree students. 

A new chapter in the story of USU’s 

military training is being written, as 

the University begins its Field Training 

Exercise 101 for the first time.

Traditionally, FTXs have been 

held during the Summer months. 

But, the exercise has been moved to 

October. 

“The exercised changed to better 

accommodate the request for training space and equipment,” said Sgt. 1st 

Class Ronald Wilson. “With implementation of FTX 101, the students 

can get a stronger foundation on some 

basic military skills.” 

The FTX 101 will feature training in eight different areas including 

Weapons Effects and Force Protection, 

Howell saved thousands of research 

dollars by developing a Corbin 

contract funded through the University by the Department of Veterans 

Affairs to hire a research associate 

for a GSN faculty position. She also 

simplified the acquisition process 

for buying 60-inch monitors for the 

GSN conference room and to relocate 

Introduction to Land Navigation, 

Preventive Medicine and the Leaders 

Reaction Course. 

The FTX will also draw on the 

expertise and training of more than 

50 personnel across all the branches of 

service and from the myriad of University departments. 

And, all of this effort is focused on 

one goal – outstanding training for 

USU’s students. 

“With the changes, the FTX 201 can 

work on honing the FTX 101 skills and 

introduce skills necessary for FTX 301,” 

said Wilson. “In my opinion, I think 

this new model will be more beneficial 

to the student.” 

current monitors to contracting, 

which not only supported the GSN 

mission, but also saved money. 

But, Howell has done more than 

just excel on the job. She has also 

helped support other administrative areas during times of personnel 

shortages, often undertaking many 

additional hours of work including 

evenings and weekends. 

She has filled in for the Dean’s secretary, solved difficult travel problems, 

taught students the Defense Travel 

System capabilities to meet critical 

requirements, and led a team who 

re-organized administrative files and 

corrected errors prior to an audit. 

Her efforts helped the GSN receive 

a “complete compliance” inspection 

result. 

Among many other activities, 

Howell also co-chaired the USU 

administrative officers meetings along 

with activity directors and administrators from both USU and AFRRI, in the 

absence of the lead administrator. 

Photo by Thomas C. Balfour

Marsha Howell

Alpha Omega Alpha (AΩA), 

founded in 1902, is the national 

medical honor society. The mission 

of AΩA is dedication to the belief 

that in the profession of medicine we 

will improve care for all by recognizing high educational achievement, 

honoring gifted teaching, encouraging the development of leaders 

in academia and the community, 

supporting the ideals of humanism, 

and promoting service to others.

Congratulations to the 

Alpha Omega Alpha 

Class of 2012

Peter Bell 

Bree Baffer 

Robert Fenequito 

Lucas Groves 

Billy Harner 

Kallyn Johnson 

Chris Knaus 

Ian McDougall 

Jaime Piercey 

Anna Romagnoli 

Carolyn Salter 

Greg Stevens 

Chris Tarney 

Sam Weiss 
October 21, 2011 7

Briefs

Using Computer Resources

Security incidents continue to be 

a drain to limited USU Information 

Assurance manpower. The following 

highlight current DoD policy and 

best practices:

Personnel must not install selfcoded or non-licensed software on 

network resources; add, remove, 

configure, or attempt to modify 

USU computer operating systems 

or programs; move audio/visual or 

network cables, computers or attempt 

to connect personal computers to 

the network including MDL and 

lecture hall spaces; connect personal 

devices except for those previously 

authorized by NOC; download 

pornographic material and store or 

display offensive material, such as 

racist literature, sexually harassing or 

obscene language or material; store 

or process classified information on 

any USU system.

Personnel must not permit 

unauthorized individuals access to a 

government-owned or governmentoperated system or program; access 

online gambling, games and social 

engineering sites, dates or times.

Help Desk Closure

The Customer Service Division 

(CSD) Help Desk is closed for staff 

meetings and training on Thursdays 

from 2:00 PM until 3:00 PM. Online 

services are still available during this 

time. Utilize the USU Service Desk 

(https://usuca/CAisd/pdmweb.exe) 

to enter your request and it will be 

serviced accordingly.

Exercise/Fitness Areas

Physical Fitness training should be 

conducted in designated areas.

The only authorized space for PT 

within the university is room G060.

The campus’ Student Community

Lounge area is also authorized, but only 

during specified PFT dates or times.

Around the Centers

by Ken Frager

Dr. Regina Armstrong, director of the Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, 

was the featured lecturer during a 

recent Congressional Biomedical 

Research Caucus Lecture Series on 

Capitol Hill. Dr. Armstrong spoke 

about regenerative medicine and 

its role in improving recovery from 

traumatic brain injury in military 

service members. 

Dr. Stephen Cozza, associate 

director at the Center for the Study of 

Traumatic Stress (CSTS) will receive 

the Frank Ochberg Award for Media 

and Trauma Study from the International Society for Traumatic Stress 

Studies (ISTSS) during the society’s 

annual meeting in Baltimore in 

November. This award recognizes 

significant contributions by clinicians 

and researchers on the relationship of 

media and trauma. Dr. Cozza’s work 

with Sesame Workshop to develop 

the Talk, Listen, Connect series 

was singled out as having a significant positive impact on the lives of 

military families.

Dr. Robert Ursano, chair, Department of Psychiatry and Director 

of the CSTS, has been selected to 

receive the 2012 American College 

of Physicians - National Menninger 

Award. Dr. Ursano is being recognized for his contributions to the 

scientific study of post-traumatic 

stress disorder, which according to 

the selection committee, “have been 

enormously helpful for all physicians, particularly internists.”

Photo by Sharon Willis

USU kicked off the 2012 CFC campaign recently with a cookout and exhibitors fair. Guests 

heard from more than 10 charitable organizations, along with USU campaign leadership. The 

University once again has set its sights on achieving a goal of $165,000 raised for the Federal 

giving campaign.