The Official USU Newsletter

Learning to Care for Those in Harm’s Way

Volume 11, Issue 5 n April 11, 2016

www.usuhs.edu
2 the pulse April 11, 2016

On the cover

Sharon Holland

Deputy Vice President for External Affairs and Managing Editor

Eric Ritter

Writer and Editor

MC3 Laura Bailey

Writer and Photographer

Tom Balfour

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 

eric.ritter2@usuhs.edu or by calling 301-

295-3791.

By Eric D. Ritter

SOM Hold Second Look Day for 

Potential USU Students

The Uniformed Services 

University’s (USU) F. Edward Hébert 

School of Medicine (SOM) recently 

held its annual Second Look Day.

According to SOM Director of Admissions, Joan Stearman, 

the Annual Second Look Day is a 

way potential students can see USU 

closer and to help in their decision 

to enroll in the university.

“We understand that medical students get several offers to 

other medical schools,” Stearman 

said. “This closer look allows these 

students to interact with faculty and 

tour the facilities to get a better understanding of the campus and the 

programs offered here. For those 

who attended, but already knew 

they were accepting USU, they were 

able to combine house-hunting 

plans into their visit.”

Second Look days are relatively common for universities, but 

USU is unique because of the military obligation that comes with the 

commitment.

“For a number of 20-something-year-olds, agreeing to the seven-year military commitment can 

be a daunting thought,” Stearman 

said. “To them, that comes out to a 

third of their life. So, this program 

helps answer any of their questions 

and concerns they may have in regards to that military commitment.”

The Second Look Day began 

with a welcome greeting by SOM 

Dean Arthur Kellermann, M.D., 

M.P.H, attendees were escorted 

to Walter Reed National Military 

Medical Center to see military medicine at work first-hand and then 

returned to USU, attended an Apollo Society open mic event, and met 

with students over lunch. After that, 

the applicants had a round table discussion with the faculty. There, they 

learned about the SOM curriculum, 

general military and service-specific 

information, and other administrative topics.

Stearman added that to help 

applicants feel more at ease during 

the event, the families of the applicants are also invited to attend.

“We’ve found that including 

their significant others during the 

presentation can greatly influence 

an applicant’s decision to attend the 

school,” Stearman said.

Stearman concluded that the 

annual Second Look Day is a great 

way for the university to highlight 

itself and to attract highly qualified 

applicants.

“We always want to showcase the university the best way we 

can,” she said. “Ultimately, it’s up to 

the student to decide where they feel 

what the best learning environment 

is for them and where they will be 

happiest.”

SOM professor Dr. David Welling 

(left) discusses USU academics with 

a potential student during the annual 

Second Look Day held at USU, March 

18. (Photo by Tom Balfour)

SOM 1st-year medical student, Air 

Force 2nd Lt. Sapna Gopalasubramanian performs a cultural dance 

during the Apollo Society's Open Mic 

event during this year's SOM annual 

Second Look Day. See story this page. 

(Photo by Tom Balfour) 
3 the pulse April 11, 2016

By Sharon Holland

Navy Names Inaugural Class of Sailors for 

Enlisted to Physician Program

Five Sailors have been selected to be among the matriculating class of service members for 

the Uniformed Services University 

of the Health Sciences’ Enlisted to 

Medical Degree Preparatory Program (EMDP2) in August, 2016. 

This marks the Navy’s first year participating in the program, which 

also includes Army, Marine Corps 

and Air Force enlisted members.

The service members include:

•	 Hospital Corpsman 2nd

Class Hanyun Liu, Okinawa, Japan

•	 Cryptologic Technician

(Collection) 1st Class Arthur A. 

Shinder, San Antonio, Texas

•	 Cryptologic Technician

(Interpretive) 1st Class Michael P. 

Smith, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii

•	 Hospital Corpsman 2nd

Class Nicholas M. Toufexis, Camp 

Lejeune, North Carolina

•	 Machinist Mate 1st Class

Chrystopher J. Young, Goose Creek, 

South Carolina

The EMDP2 program is a 

partnership between USU and the 

armed forces. The 24-month program will enable highly qualified 

enlisted service members to complete the preparatory coursework 

for application to medical school 

while maintaining an active duty 

status.

Program components include full-time coursework in a traditional classroom setting at George 

Mason University-Prince William 

Campus in northern Virginia, structured pre-health advising, formal 

Medical College Admission Test 

(MCAT) preparation, dedicated 

faculty and peer mentoring at USU, 

and integrated clinical exposure. 

Once they complete the program, 

successful students will be competitive for acceptance to U.S. medical 

schools. Students are required to 

apply for medical school at USU, but 

may also apply for entrance to other 

medical schools through the Armed 

Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program. 

“I am delighted that the 

Navy has joined the other three 

services in affording the opportunity for highly qualified NCOs to 

participate in this program,” said 

USU President Charles L. Rice, MD. 

“The different ratings of this cohort 

of NCOs emphasize the diversity 

of backgrounds that this program 

seeks. I congratulate each of these 

Sailors on their acceptance into the 

EMDP2 program.” 

After a lengthy and thorough search process, the selection 

of a new Commandant for the F. 

Edward Hébert School of Medicine 

at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) was 

announced March 21.

“It gives me great pleasure 

to announce the selection of Commander Alexander Galifianakis, 

Medical Corps, U.S. Navy, as the 

next Commandant for the F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine,” 

said Army Col. (Dr.) Jerome Buller, 

the brigade commander at USU. 

“The Army, Navy and Air Force 

each provided their strongest candidates for consideration for the Commandant position. After multiple 

meetings with the selection committee and other key stakeholders 

within the University, Commander 

Galifianakis was clearly the strongest candidate and the best match 

for the School of Medicine and the 

University.” 

Galifianakis has served as 

the Radiology Advanced Clerkship 

director at USU since 2014, said 

Buller, and, he has been a member of numerous committees while 

serving at the university. "He is well 

respected by the students and the 

faculty that work with him. A 2003 

Alumnus to be next SOM Commandant

By MC3 Laura Bailey

See Galifianakis, page 5

Navy Cmdr. Alexander Galifianakis 

has been selected to be next the Commandant of the USU SOM. (Courtesty Photo)
4 the pulse April 11, 2016

Galifianakis, from Page 4

A student at the F. Edward 

Hébert School of Medicine (SOM) 

at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) was 

selected by the Liaison Committee 

on Medical Education (LCME) to 

serve as one of its student members. Navy Ensign Matthew Nelson, 

a third-year medical student will sit 

on the committee of 19 voting members during the 2016-2017 academic 

year. 

The LCME is jointly sponsored by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and 

the American Medical Association 

(AMA), and receives member nominations from these associations. 

Members of the LCME include 15 

professionals, two public members 

and two medical students – all selected from across the nation. Each 

year, the LCME reviews annual survey data and written reports on all 

accredited U.S. and Canadian medical schools, and conducts survey 

visits to 20 to 30 institutions. Accreditation through the LCME is a 

voluntary, peer-reviewed process of 

quality assurance that determines 

whether the medical education program meets established standards. 

Nelson will contribute to that process by reviewing information from 

schools that are up for review by the 

LCME and participate in a select 

number of site visits. 

“Soon after arriving in the 

School of Medicine, Matt sought out 

leadership opportunities within his 

class,” said Air Force retired Lt. Col. 

William Wittman, PhD the assistant 

dean for Academic Support Services in the Office of Student Affairs 

(OSA) at USU. 

At the beginning of his first 

Navy Ensign Matthew Nelson (center) stands together with other USU students at the AMA Medical Student Section (MSS) Interim Assembly Meeting 

at National Harbor, Maryland. (Courtesy photo)

SOM Student Selected for LCME Voting Membership

See NELSON page 7

By MC3 Laura Bailey

graduate of USU, he understands 

the rigor of the SOM program. He 

is an exceptional role model for our 

students," Buller said.

“I've been very fortunate 

to have had a number of amazing 

mentors and leaders since starting 

my military career and I'll draw 

heavily upon their examples as I go 

forward,” said Galifianakis. “Most 

of all, I look forward to getting to 

know all the medical and graduate 

students and watching their progress over the course of the next few 

years.

“I consider it a tremendous 

honor to serve as the next Commandant of the USU School of 

Medicine. Our students are about 

to embark on a truly special journey, one I started here myself some 

17 years ago. As I reflect on those 

years, I can think of no more worthwhile and rewarding way to spend 

one’s career than in the service of 

the men and women of our armed 

forces. I hope to do whatever I can 

to help our students succeed here 

at USU and beyond. While many 

of our students arrive with a wealth 

of experience already, perhaps I can 

provide at least one perspective on 

what lies ahead.”

“Alex is a trusted leader, 

dedicated educator and is actively 

engaged in academics,” said Buller. 

“The medical and graduate education students will benefit greatly 

from his mentorship and guidance.”

Galifianakis will succeed 

Army Col. (Dr.) Brigilda Teneza 

who will be leaving in June of this 

year to become the next command 

surgeon of the United States Military Entrance Processing Command 

(USMEPCOM) in North Chicago, 

Illinois.
5 the pulse April 11, 2016

USU Sim Center Holds Sexual Assault Simulation

By Sarah Marshall

To ensure providers are 

prepared to care for sexual assault 

victims, the Uniformed Services 

University of the Health Sciences 

(USU) recently conducted its second annual Military Sexual Assault 

(MSA) simulation exercise at the 

Val G. Hemming Simulation Center 

– the first evidenced-based, multidisciplinary sexual assault simulation event at the university.

A total of more than 200 

students from the F. Edward Hébert 

School of Medicine (SOM) and the 

Daniel K. Inouye Graduate School 

of Nursing (GSN) participated 

in the event, March 21-24, which 

taught the students how to properly 

collect and document a patient-provider encounter with a sexual assault victim. 

“This course is all about educating the provider. It isn’t to make 

them sexual assault examiners, but 

to help them care for and examine a 

sexual assault victim,” said Air Force 

Lt. Col. Wendy Lee, a family nurse 

practitioner and assistant professor 

in the GSN. The goal is to introduce the students to best practices 

in evaluating and caring for sexual 

assault victims, and ensure they’re 

better able to identify victims of 

sexual assault, Lee added.

Additionally, the exercise is 

designed to teach students interviewing techniques, as well as restricted and unrestricted reporting, 

and how to understand and recognize the health care implications of 

sexual assault, such as post-traumatic stress, vaginal infections, or 

pelvic pain that doesn’t seem related 

to an injury, she explained.

At the beginning of the exercise, students received classroom 

training on how to properly approach a sexual assault victim, concentrating on interview techniques, 

and how to take an appropriate 

medically-focused history on a sexually-assaulted patient. These techniques emphasized the importance 

of establishing patient-provider empathy, confidence and safety. They 

also discussed healthcare implications that would need immediate 

attention.

The simulation event started 

with an initial brief explaining interview techniques to use that are medically focused but also supportive of 

a sexually-assaulted patient. These 

techniques emphasized establishing 

patient-provider empathy, confidence, and safety. The MSA simulation case scenario involved a patient 

who was recently sexually assaulted 

and is being seen in a primary care 

clinic. 

Before entering a simulated 

clinical exam room to greet their 

“patient,” played by specially-trained 

actors, the students reviewed the 

patient’s chart to get a sense of their 

medical history. 

As the students entered the 

exam room, they were to properly 

greet the victim – without shaking 

hands as to not disturb potential 

evidence. During their interaction, 

they were expected to establish a 

patient-provider relationship, while 

assessing the patient’s safety, medical and emotional needs. They also 

had to briefly explain the difference 

between restricted and unrestricted 

reporting of the assault, and were 

expected to offer community resources as part of a follow-up plan, 

such as a referral to a victim advocate. After the scenario, students 

conducted a self-assessment. They 

also received tailored feedback from 

the trained “patient,” as well as a 

30-minute small group debrief from 

a sexual assault nurse examiner. The 

GSN and SOM interdisciplinary 

groups allowed the students with 

different education backgrounds to 

corroborate and share their knowledge and decision-making skills in a 

collaborating environment.

This simulation event was 

supported by the staff at Val G. 

Hemming Simulation Center, 16 

trained standardized patients, 11 

sexual assault nurse examiners who 

came from the Bureau of Prisons, 

Johns Hopkins University, Navy 

Medicine, and USU, faculty from 

the GSN and SOM faculty, and two 

service dogs. 

Lee noted that in recent 

years, there has been a lack of education in health sciences university about sexual violence and how 

to care for the victim. While sexual assault continues to be prevalent 

across the nation, it’s estimated only 

65 percent of those who experienced a rape or sexual assault in the 

U.S. in the last five years, reported 

it to authorities, she said. Establishing instruction for future healthcare 

providers, improving their confidence and knowledge to effectively 

conduct a sexual assault assessment, 

can help providers overcome these 

barriers and increase the reporting 

of sexual assault occurrences.

“USU has started this course 

to continue to meet that need,” she 

said. 
6 the pulse April 11, 2016

By MC3 Laura Bailey

Collaborative Effort Addresses Dangers of Smokeless Tobacco

A high prevalence of smokeless tobacco use poses a significant 

health risk to service members and 

military readiness. A pilot study 

is underway at the Walter Reed 

National Military Medical Center's John P. Murtha Cancer Center (MCC), in partnership with the 

Uniformed Services University of 

the Health Sciences Postgraduate 

Dental College (PDC). The MCC 

and PDC, in collaboration with dental clinics at Womack Army Medical 

Center, Fort Bragg, N.C. and Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, 

will help researchers understand the 

factors that influence smokeless tobacco use in the military. 

“The study will ultimately 

help us formulate intervention procedures for the reduction and cessation of smokeless tobacco use in 

active duty service members,” said 

Lt. Col. Sukhyung Lee, the principal 

investigator of the study and a surgical oncologist in the department of 

surgery at Walter Reed. “It’s important that we figure this out because of 

the dangers that smokeless tobacco 

imposes on users. It impacts readiness and health tremendeously.”

More than 30 carcinogens 

exist in smokeless tobacco, including volatile and tobacco-specific 

nitrosamines, nitrosamino acids, 

polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, 

aldehydes and metals. Smokeless 

tobacco use is associated with increased risk of oral, esophageal and 

pancreatic cancers and is also associated with periodontal disease and 

may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. 

“Patterns of smokeless tobacco use in the U.S. military have 

not been well characterized and a 

comprehensive assessment of the 

multiple factors and their effects on 

smokeless tobacco use patterns is 

needed,” said Lee. “We want to understand all of the different factors 

– why service members start using 

smokeless tobacco, why they continue use in the U.S. military. How 

are other factors – such as military 

environment, beliefs towards tobacco use in the military, family history of tobacco use, intention and 

readiness-to-quit--associated with 

smokeless tobacco use in the study 

populations? These are questions we 

hope to answer through this pilot 

study and any future large-scale cohort studies.”

Participants are being recruited from two military installations: one Army-based and one Air 

Force-based. Army and Air Force 

represent two branches with the 

high and low prevalence of smokeless tobacco use in the U.S. military, 

respectively, said Lee. The study will 

recruit eligible subjects until a total 

of 2,500 evaluable questionnaires 

are collected (1,250 evaluable questionnaires at each site). All study 

subjects will fill in a self-administered questionnaire that collects 

information on demographic characteristics, current and prior use of 

smokeless tobacco products, cigarette, cigar and pipe smoking, second-hand exposure, factors related 

to tobacco use, alcohol use history 

and interest in participating in a future large study. 

This pilot study is hopefully 

just the beginning. 

“By conducting a pilot study, 

we will have the start of a solid foundation that we will hopefully be able 

to build upon for the conduct of a 

large cohort study,” said Lee. “The 

pilot study is allowing us to assess 

the feasibility of conducting a largescale cohort study among active 

duty service members by evaluating 

their willingness to participate in 

such a study that would follow them 

for many years. Ultimately, the information that we gather from both 

this pilot study and a possible future 

cohort study will help formulate 

intervention procedures for the reduction and cessation of smokeless 

tobacco use in active duty service 

members.”

Smokeless tobacco is consumed without burning the product, and can be used orally or nasally. Oral smokeless tobacco products 

are placed in the mouth, cheek, or lip 

and are sucked (dipped) or chewed. 

Dry forms of smokeless tobacco are 

inhaled through the nose but are 

not as common. Smokeless tobacco 

use maintains nicotine addiction in 

smokers and promotes continued 

use. Although the amount of nicotine absorbance between cigarettes 

and smokeless tobacco is similar, 

nicotine stays in the blood stream 

longer in users of smokeless tobacco 

than cigarettes smokers.
7 the pulse April 11, 2016

Nelson from Page 4

USU Alumnus Assumes DVBIC Leadership

Courtesy article by Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center

Army Col. (Dr.) Geoffrey 

Grammer officially assumed leadership of the Defense and Veterans 

Brain Injury Center Mar. 16, 2016. 

DVBIC is the Department of Defense’s center of excellence for traumatic brain injury. 

Grammer transferred from 

the National Intrepid Center of 

Excellence at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center where 

he was the department chief of research. He is a psychiatrist and internal medicine specialist who holds 

board certifications in psychiatry, 

geriatric psychiatry, behavior neurology and neuropsychiatry. He is 

an assistant professor of psychiatry 

at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU), 

from which he graduated medical 

school in 1996. 

“I’m looking forward to 

working with the men and women 

of DVBIC to continue the excellent 

work they’ve been doing in clinical 

care, research and education for 

nearly 25 years,” Grammer said. 

Grammer replaces Army 

Col. Sidney Hinds II, who served as 

the DVBIC national director for almost three years. 

“This transition occurring 

during March, which is Brain Injury Awareness Month and becoming 

official on Brain Injury Awareness 

Day wasn’t planned, but it’s perfect,” 

said Hinds. “Our theme this month 

has been ‘Think Ahead’ and, clearly, 

the DoD’s thinking ahead about the 

future of DVBIC by putting someone as accomplished as Col. Grammer in charge.” 

Grammer has completed 

two deployments to Iraq, serving as 

the medical director for the 785th 

Combat Stress Control Company 

on his first deployment and as a psychiatrist at the combat support hospital at Contingency Operating Base 

Speicher on his second. He has also 

deployed to Afghanistan as a psychiatrist at the combat support hospital in Bagram, Afghanistan. He 

also served as the chief of inpatient 

psychiatric services at Walter Reed 

National Military Medical Center—

which covers the 28-bed General 

Psychiatry and six-bed Neuropsychiatry wards—for eight years.

year at USU, he ran for the academic 

representative of his class. Although 

he lost against a fellow classmate, it 

was through this experience that he 

realized he wanted to get involved 

in other activities. He then became 

a member of the AMA medical student section at USU. He was able to 

attend AMA conferences and it was 

there that his interest in medical education was sparked. 

“With his natural style and 

upbeat demeanor he easily gained 

the confidence and support of students and faculty alike,” said Wittman. “We are very proud of his 

many achievements and pleased to 

have him represent our community 

on such an important national committee.”

As one of the only two students selected to serve on the committee, Nelson is excited for the incredible opportunity, he said. He 

has a particular interest in shaping 

the future of medical education. 

Since most state boards of licensure 

require that U.S. medical schools 

be accredited by the LCME, he sees 

his new role as a chance to have a 

far reaching impact on the future of 

medical education and graduates of 

LCME-accredited schools. 

“It’s a little surreal. I definitely didn’t expect it,” said Nelson. 

“I took opportunities as they came. 

About a year ago, I became interested in becoming a student member 

of the LCME, but I didn’t think I was 

competitive enough to be selected. 

It wasn’t until Dr. Wittman reached 

out to me and asked if I would be 

interested in this that I began to 

seriously consider the position. I 

couldn’t have done it without their 

[OSA’s] support, or the support of 

the Maryland State Medical Society, 

MedChi, who were kind enough to 

provide me with a letter of endorsement for the position. It’s really great 

that the LCME offers this kind of 

student representation. I think that 

student input is important to the 

dynamic process of medical education, especially now with so much 

being added to the traditional curriculum of basic science and anatomy. Medical education helps build 

the next generation of physicians 

and I am excited to be a part of that 

through the LCME. In addition, I’m 

hoping to spend the next year learning more about curriculum development through a capstone project 

here at USU.” 
8 the pulse April 11, 2016

Final Frame

Healthcare providers from the National Capital Area participated in Battlefield Acupuncture Training (BFA) at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC), Bethesda, Md., March 29, 2016. The purpose of the training 

is to teach providers to help patients with a variety of acute and chronic pain conditions in multiple settings including 

inpatient and outpatient clinics, emergency departments and battlefield environments. This training utilizes five relevant ear acupuncture points used to quickly and effectively treat pain related issues. The course is offered through the 

United States Air Force Acupuncture Center in collaboration with USU's Defense and Veterans Center for Integrative 

Pain Management (DVCPM). The mission of DVCIPM is to improve pain management in military and civilian 

medicine and guide research and policy regarding pain and its treatment. The BFA training is part of a broader effort 

entitled, "Acupuncture Training Across Clinical Settings" (ATACS), a two-year project that DVCPM in collaboration 

with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), began in 2013. The mission of ATACS is to develop, pilot, evaluate 

and implement a uniform tiered acupuncture education and training program for Military Health System and VA 

treatment facilities. (Photo by MC3 Laura Bailey)