Volume 6, Issue 7 n April 18, 2011

www.usuhs.mil

The Official USU Newsletter
On the cover

Teamwork is commonplace for GSN 1st 

Sergeant, HM2 Wendy Cajas, U.S. Navy 

(right), shown here with GSN company 

commander 1st Lt Malvis Tarney, U.S. 

Army. (See story page 4)

Cover Photo by Thomas Balfour

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 April 18, 2011

Alvarado named top USU service member

by MC1 Chad Hallford

For the second year running, 

a Department of Military and 

Emergency Medicine (MEM) Sailor 

was selected as “USU Service Member 

of the Year (SMOY).” 

Hospital Corpsman 1st Class 

(FMF/CAC) Alexis Alvarado, MEM’s 

Academic NCO, earned Sailor and 

Service Member of the Quarter 

Honors for third quarter-2010, and 

was selected for the SMOY distinction. 

“To be selected was very humbling, 

but also bittersweet,” said HM1 

Alvarado. “I was the lone E-6 on the 

board, going up against two E-5s. 

While the selection is great for my 

career and it is nice to be recognized, 

I feel like my accomplishment here 

take away from the great efforts and 

achievements of my fellow junior 

Sailors. They also deserve recognition, and we are changing the awards 

process to honor team efforts more in 

the future.”

“The feedback I received was 

that the board looks for command 

impact,” said Alvarado. “It starts with 

service-specific impact at earlier 

boards, and at the SMOY board the 

question essentially is ‘How are you 

impacting the University from a 

holistic view?’”

The SMOY selection process 

includes a series of questions ranging 

from general military knowledge to 

current events in front of a board 

of senior enlisted leaders. However, 

much of the selection criteria is 

based on the nominees’ contributions and achievements throughout 

the year.

Alvarado arrived at USU in May 

2009 from a Fleet Marine Force 

and Marine Corps Combat Aircrew 

background. Using the skills and 

knowledge learned from prior tours, 

he focused his efforts on his role as 

Navy Division Two Leading Petty 

Officer, Navy Command Fitness 

Leader and USU Assistant Career 

Counselor. He also participates with 

the USU Color Guard, extending his 

effect well beyond MEM and Navy 

Divisions boundaries to the University as a whole.

“When I finally leave here, I want 

it to be as a Chief Petty Officer,” said 

Alvarado. “I need to have commandlevel impact for my own personal 

goals, but I also want (that impact) so 

we can gel as a cohesive unit.”

Alvarado’s efforts extend beyond 

the University bricks as he is busy in 

his off-time — as a college student at 

Montgomery Community College. 

and part-time volunteer throughout 

Montgomery and nearby counties.

Photo by Thomas Balfour 

HM1 Alexis Alvarado

Research Week Posters

Deadline for 2011 Research Week poster requests to 

USU Media Services, Friday, April 29, 2011.
General Counsel provides unique service for USU

by Staff Sgt. Matthew Rosine 

The Official USU Newsletter 3

Nestled among the rows and rows of 

the University’s offices is a small team of 

professionals who offer big services to 

the USU family. 

“The Office of General Counsel 

(OGC) supports the USU mission, 

not only at the senior level, but 

also for all University components, 

including the new Dental College,” 

said John E. “Jeb” Baker, USU general 

counsel. “We support the University’s legal issues from top to bottom, 

down to the departmental and 

individual assistance.” 

The OGC professionals offer a wide 

variety of legal services beyond most 

customers’ expectations. The office 

provides principal legal advice to the 

USU President and University leadership team, as well as the commandant 

and company commanders.

As of January 2011, this professional team held more than 150 years 

of Federal legal service cumulatively 

– quite an achievement for a department of only five people; however, the 

OGC will be changing over the next 

few years. 

The office is now addressing the 

challenge of maintaining its high 

standards and professional excellence in 

with more than 14 years at the University is remaining on staff, along with 

the Mrs. Connellee. And Mr. Beall will 

return on a part-time basis. Finally, 

the new Brigade JAG, Air Force Maj. 

Mark Peterson, will report to the 

University in May. The OGC also has 

various general counsel “Reservists” 

and adjunct faculty from the Henry M. 

Jackson Foundation who can be available as needed. 

“We are really hoping to have a 

smooth transition,” Mr. Baker said. “We 

have been fortunate to have had highcaliber, dedicated professionals. We are 

going to really need the right people to 

fill their shoes.” 

During the interim, the OGC will 

continue to provide legal services for 

technology transfer, Ethics programs, 

student promotion committees, the 

National Capital Consortium, University contracts, University grants and 

agreements, and even civilian and 

military personnel issues. Additionally, Mrs. Connellee acts as the 

University’s notary. 

“I don’t know that many people are 

aware of our role or how we operate,” 

said Mr. Baker. “From classes on 

medical malpractice to the Law of 

Armed Conflict to International Law, 

including natural disaster support, we 

provide administrative law support, 

offer advice and can even help our 

customers with decisions.”

The OGC maintains membership in the National Association of 

College and University Attorneys, the 

Federal Laboratories Consortium and 

the Federal Degree Granting Institutions. Unique to USU’s OGC, the staff 

works for the University but also for the 

Defense Legal Service Agency, which is 

part of the DoD General Counsel. 

“We have a dual-reporting system 

here,” said Mr. Baker, a retired Army 

JAG. “But, this does provide us with 

some unique insights. We are always 

mindful of DoD interests, while also 

supporting the University’s.”

Continued to page 4

the face of two pending and one recent 

retirement, along with a recent military 

transfer. 

“Our challenge over the next 

three years is to replace our departing and retiring personnel with 

new personnel who have the 

background, experience and positive 

attitude necessary to measure up 

to our standards of prompt, professional service,” said Baker, who has 

indicated he will retire in fiscal year 

2012 after 12 years at the University. 

Filling those shoes won’t be easy. 

In addition to Baker’s pending retirement, Brad Beall, the deputy general 

counsel and a retired Navy judge 

advocate (JAG), will be retiring in 

fiscal year 2011 after more than 20 

years of service at the University. Anna 

Connellee, who has spent nearly 16 

years in the OGC as a paralegal, retired 

during the Winter, but returned to the 

office on a part-time basis. Additionally, Lt. Col. Bill Boyce, the Brigade 

JAG recently transferred to WrightPatterson Air Force Base, Ohio. 

But, OGC clients can expect a 

seamless transition over the next few 

years. Jason Kaar, the associate general 

counsel and a retired Air Force JAG 

Associate general counsel Jason Kaar reviews a legal memo with paralegal 

specialist Anna Connellee.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew Rosine
4 the pulse April 18, 2011

USU Sailor tested her mettle 

on the Gridiron

by Christine Creenan-Jones

???????

Continued from page 3

OGC service

The field is hot and conditions are 

treacherous. But, HM2 Wendy Cajas, 

a first sergeant for USU’s Graduate 

School of Nursing, knows she can 

thrive under pressure. The well-primed 

Sailor, fueled by adrenaline and brute 

strength, tested her grit while driving 

back mighty forces on America’s favorite battlefield – The Gridiron. 

Cajas joined the D.C. Divas – a 

charter franchise in the National 

Women’s Football Association – five 

years ago and turned the defensive 

line into her frontline. As an outside 

linebacker, she tackled her way to a 

championship season and shattered 

traditional gender stereotypes with 

every crushing hit.

“Women are just as rough and tough 

as men on football fields,” she said. 

“Our tackles sound like trains crashing 

and feel like bricks colliding.”

But delivering powerhouse performances game-after-game is hard 

work. Cajas trained with the Divas 

year-round, played through injuries 

and spent many weekends on the road. 

“Football kind of took over my 

life back then. I was either working 

on base as a dental technician or 

practicing on the field. I didn’t have 

a whole lot of time for anything else, 

because our playing schedule was so 

rigorous,” said the D.C. native. “Still, 

I loved being part of the team. It was 

a really fun time and a special experience for me.”

Her dedication paid off. After 

receiving new military orders, Cajas 

retired from professional football 

without a single loss on her record 

in 2006. Since then, the football 

champion has travelled around the 

globe and served on real battlefields, 

including a three-month deployment 

in the Middle East. 

“Football is an amazing sport, but 

I’m most passionate about serving 

my country,” she said. “The Navy is a 

very diverse organization with many 

opportunities for Sailors like me.”

Cajas, like always, is setting her 

sites high with an ambitious career 

game plan. 

“One day, I hope to be wearing 

a khaki uniform with anchors,” she 

said. “So, I’m going to keep working 

hard and continue proving myself 

every day – just like I did on the 

football field.”

 “Lawyers can be perceived in a 

negative light. The societal view is 

that lawyers can be the enemy,” Baker 

said. “But, this isn’t true. Here we 

want our faculty, staff and students 

to have the most positive experience 

possible. We work hard to create a 

positive image for every member of 

the USU family. We are fortunate in 

that we have established a real feeling 

of trust and we work hard to maintain 

that trust. 

The Pulse Spotlight: 

Name: 

Anna Connellee

Duty title: 

Paralegal Specialist, 

Office of General Counsel

How long have you worked at USU?

I have worked at the University for 

almost 16 years.

What brought you to USU?

I was told about a job opening in 

the Office of General Counsel by my 

neighbor, Mary Schwartz, and I applied 

for the position. 

What is your favorite part of USU? 

It is my privilege to serve as a notary 

public for the University. I notarize 

documents for the President, faculty, 

staff and students, and I enjoy the 

interaction associated with this position. 

What advice would you pass on to 

people new to USU? 

The Uniformed Services University is a 

special place to work. Your job at the 

University comes with a responsibility 

to perform your duties to the best of 

your ability. After you have been at the 

University for a while and have gotten 

to know everyone, you will find that 

employment here is very fulfilling, and 

you will make lasting friendships. 

Photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew Rosine

Courtesy Photo
The Official USU Newsletter 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.

Monitor your physical 

performance using your heart rate

Monitor your heart rate to 

ensure that you are training in the 

appropriate range for your performance needs. This simple practice 

will help you track the way your 

body responds to training to 

effectively optimize your physical performance. The American 

Council on Exercise (ACE) has 

information on how to monitor 

your exercise intensity using your 

heart rate, as well as an online tool 

for calculating your target heart 

rate. A similar online calculator is 

available from the Army’s Hooah 4 

Health website.

Get enough sleep!

If you need an alarm clock to 

wake up in the morning, then 

it’s possible you’re not getting 

enough sleep. The optimum 

amount of sleep needed varies 

from person to person, and how 

much you need may change over 

time. Sleep loss increases your 

risk for high blood pressure, 

diabetes, heart disease, and 

weight gain. When you can wake 

up feeling refreshed and without 

an alarm clock, you know you 

have gotten enough sleep! 

Check out these resources for 

more details: 

•	 MedicineNet.com;

•	 National Sleep Foundation;

•	 How Much Sleep Does

	 A Warfighter Need?

AFRRI “voice” honored

by Ken Frager

Friends and relatives recently 

celebrated the retirement of Donna K. 

Solyan, a 20-year veteran of the Armed 

Forces Radiobiology Research Institute 

(AFRRI) and an outstanding Federal 

employee for 32 years. Mrs. Solyan, 

who most recently served as supervisory editor and chief, Publishing 

Division at AFRRI, was presented with 

the University’s Outstanding Service 

Award during a ceremony held March 

29 at AFRRI.

Mrs. Solyan’s responsibilities at 

AFRRI included providing writing, 

editing and desktop publishing 

services for AFRRI staff and leadership. For a decade, until 2006, she 

also was responsible for all photography, multimedia, graphics and video 

services for AFRRI.

“Donna’s impact at AFRRI, and at 

USU as a whole, will be felt for years 

to come,” said Bill Bester, vice president for External Affairs at USU, 

who offered remarks on behalf of 

USU president Charles Rice and also 

presented Mrs. Solyan with the President’s Coin. “I have had the opportunity to work closely with Donna for 

several years and have been impressed 

by her dedication and commitment to 

AFRRI and to the USU. But it’s time 

for her to enjoy her real loves—her 

family, reading and quilting.”

Army Colonel Mark Melanson, 

Ph.D., AFRRI director, added that 

Mrs. Solyan’s understanding of the 

science, and her willingness to ask 

questions if something wasn’t clear, 

are just two of the remarkable qualities that will be missed. “Donna was 

the first person in my office when I 

arrived last year, letting me know that 

she was available to assist with my 

transition into this new and challenging environment and we hit it off 

immediately. There was no question 

that her interests were to help me if 

I needed it, as that ultimately would 

enable her to do a better job,” said 

Col. Melanson.

An educator by training, Mrs. 

Solyan began her career teaching 

in Utah, before moving to Florida, 

where she worked for the Naval 

Education and Program Development Center in Pensacola. While 

there she worked with Navy chiefs to 

develop training materials on deck 

operations and weapons. 

Following a move to Japan for 

several years, where she worked 

as an editor and reporter for Stars 

and Stripes in Tokyo, Mrs. Solyan 

returned stateside, settling in Albion 

Mich., where she worked for several 

print media outlets. She returned 

to Federal service in a public affairs 

role for the Defense Realization 

and Marketing Service, serving also 

as the Defense Logistics Services 

Center and the Air Force Cataloging and Standardization Center at 

the Battle Creek Federal Center. She 

then transferred to Ft. Meade Md., 

where she was editor of the Voice of 

the First Army, the monthly tabloid 

covering all Reserve and National 

Guard Units in the Northeast.

Army Colonel and AFRRI Director Mark 

Melanson presents Donna Solyan with a 

USU medal during her retirement 

ceremony in March. 

Photo by Dave Sandgren, AFRRI
6 the pulse April 18, 2011

Mr. Cruder’s commitment to excellence of service to the University 

community has been demonstrated 

by his performance in support of the 

Medical Pharmacology course taught 

to second year School of Medicine 

students. He serves as course administrator, supporting the course 

director in organizing instructional 

materials, preparing student examinations, and recording grades. 

“While Mr. Cruder’s performance 

has been outstanding throughout 

his seven years in this position, his 

performance during the most recent 

academic year was truly exceptional,” said Pharmacology Chair 

Dr. Jeffrey Harmon.

Mr. Cruder has eased the migration from Blackboard to Sakai (the new 

online software for managing and delivering course information), assumed 

responsibility for the transition to the 

new DAI accounting system, and has 

willingly provided critical support 

in preparation for the transition to 

the new SOM curriculum that will 

USU Employees of the Year Announced

by MC1 Chad Hallford

Alonzo Cruder Mary Ann Burke

Photo by Thomas Balfour Photo by Thomas Balfour

USU’s office of Civilian Human 

Resources recently announced the 2010 

Employees of the Year, Alonzo Cruder 

and Mary Ann Burke.

Mr. Cruder hails from the Department of Pharmacology, where over 

the last seven years he has seen his 

responsibilities increase from within 

the department.

“It’s an honor to be selected as 

employee of the year. I was pleased 

to find out that I had been chosen. 

I want to thank my boss and my 

department for the recommendation 

and support in receiving this award,” 

said Mr. Cruder.

Several programs at USU were 

ranked among the nation’s very best 

in a recent issue of US News & 

World Report. 

Among those lauded, the Graduate School of Nursing’s anesthesia 

program placed fifth out of more 

than 100 institutions surveyed. 

Several factors contributed to this 

impressive overall rating – including 

peer reviews and expert analysis of 

the program’s curriculum and faculty 

and student bodies.

“The military has a long history 

of producing some of the best nurse 

anesthetists in the country, and USU 

plays a vital role in training many of 

effectively double his workload during 

academic year 2011-2012.

Mrs. Burke’s commitment over a 

12-year period earned her nomination 

from the Office for Student Affairs.

“I was very surprised at Dr. 

Richard MacDonald’s recommendation in putting me up for this award. 

I am extremely appreciative and very 

humbled to be selected. It’s nice to be 

recognized for doing the job to the best 

I know how,” said Mary Ann Burke.

An example of her efforts is this 

past summers’ hugely successful 

medical student Orientation Week. 

This week-long event was the climax 

of many months of preparation on 

the part of Mrs. Burke. Her careful 

planning and attention to detail 

resulted in what is considered by 

her leadership to be one of the best 

student orientations ever. 

According to the nomination 

submission, Mrs. Burke built the 

programs and coordinated participation by every administrative office 

having interface with students, from 

the Office of the President to the 

Office for Environmental Health and 

Safety. The high-point of the event 

came during the class presentation 

assembly in the University courtyard. 

Much of the success of this week can 

be credited to the careful planning 

and coordination of Mrs. Burke. 

“In my office I am fortunate to 

work with students as a primary 

function of the office, so I feel the 

work that I accomplish in this office 

impacts not only the students but 

the university as a whole,” said Mary 

Ann Burke.

Beyond the formal activities of 

Orientation Week, her exceptional 

management of first- and secondyear medical student support 

programs and her ready and capable 

assumption of key additional responsibilities critical to USU’s mission, 

along with her willingness to reach 

out to new students and their 

families was unmatched.

these providers to care for our nation’s 

finest,” said Navy Cmdr. Robert 

Hawkins, director of USU’s Nurse 

Anesthesia Program. “The success 

of our nurse anesthesia program is 

due in large measure to the outstanding support we receive from both the 

university administration and the 

federal uniformed services.”

Medical research, primary care 

and nursing at USU also scored high 

on the annual survey of graduate 

schools. This year’s broad showing 

– up from the previous surveys – 

highlights the wide breadth and 

depth of the nationally recognized 

scholarship available at USU.

Prestigious national survey 

recognizes several USU programs

by Christine Creenan-Jones
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 self-coded 

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.

Helpdesk Closure 

The NOC helpdesk is closed for training on Thursdays from 10 to 11 a.m. 

During this time, you can leave a 

voicemail message at 295-9800, utilize 

the HEAT Self Service (http://www.

usuhs.mil/uis/forms/trouble.html), or 

email help@usuhs.mil. 

If an emergency should arise, please 

call 295-9870.

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.

Professional activities

The Department of Defense and USU 

policy requires that all employees, both 

military and civilian, receive approval 

for engaging in any activity outside their 

work environment, which involves their 

professional expertise or government 

occupation, and involves compensation.

This approval is required prior to 

engaging in the activity. 

In order to get approval, any employee 

can complete a USU Form 1004. This 

completed form must be approved and 

signed by each department chair or activity head. 

These forms are available in the 

General Counsel’s office or online at the 

USU OGC Web site.

Completed forms must be turned in to 

the General Counsel’s office. The form will 

be routed to the appropriate dean, brigade 

commander or USU president. 

Once processing is completed, a 

copy of the approved form will be 

returned to the employee for the employee’s records. 

The Official USU Newsletter 7

 The USU Merit Review 

Committee is accepting applications for the fiscal year 2012 USU 

Intramural Research Funding.

Applications may be submitted for Pilot, Standard and 

Exploratory grant funding. New 

or revised applications will be 

accepted. Competing continuations are no longer funded. These 

applications are for basic, clinical 

or behavioral research.

Projects will be evaluated for 

demonstrated relevance to military 

concerns and/or are specific to the 

USU mission.

Eligibility for funding from the 

University’s intramural program is 

restricted to USU-billeted civilian 

and uniformed faculty members 

with full, associate or assistant 

professor titles.

Late applications will not be 

accepted and incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Applications must be submitted 

by June 17, 2011. 

For additional information: 

http://www.usuhs.mil/research/

intramuralfunds.html or contact 

the Office of Research at 

(301) 295-3303.

Funding Applications

Contacting University Media Services 

The Customer Service section of University Media Services (UMS), which 

includes graphics and multimedia design, has moved back to its recently 

renovated and improved location on the ground floor, Room G070. The UMS 

staff is available Monday-Friday, from 0730-1600, to assist you with all of your 

photo, video and graphic design needs, including medical illustrations.

The following is an updated phone listing for the UMS customer service area:

Front Desk. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301-295-3337

Medical Photography. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tom Balfour 301-295-0240

Audio and Video Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Willie Allen 301-295-9395

Graphics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Weekly Rotating Artist 301-295-9400

Graphics Supervisor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301-295-0257

Multimedia Design Supervisor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301-295-3339