USU Newsletter VOLUME 3, ISSUE 18 VOLUME 3, ISSUE 18 WWW.USUHS.MIL November 3, 2008 November 3, 2008

Halloween Fun 
Carol R. Scheman 

Vice President for 

External Affairs and 

Managing Editor 

Tech. Sgt. 

André Nicholson 

Editor 

Christine Creenan 

Staff Writer 

Marla Wright 

Shaun Sadowski 

Webmaster 

Publishing 

USU Duplicating Office

Production: 

Editorial content is 

edited, prepared and 

provided by the USU 

Office of External Affairs unless otherwise 

indicated. The Newsletter staff may include 

or exclude articles 

based upon news 

value, impact on the 

university and space 

availability. 

Submissions: 

The USU Newsletter 

will be published biweekly on Mondays 

and deadline for submission is Friday at 4 

p.m. Submissions can 

be sent to usunewsletter@usuhs.mil or by 

calling 301-295-3925. 

PAGE 2 

Cover photos: 

Courtesy of 

Media Affairs Office

In This Issue: 

 

Bill Bester.......................2 

Cox Symposium...........2 

Student Profile..............3 

National Disability 

Awareness Month......3 

CHAMP...........................4 

Navy 5 Miler..................4 

Health Center...............5 

CFC..................................5 

Faculty Senate..............6 

Briefs................................7 

Former Acting Dean of GSN Becomes 

Vice President of Distributed Learning 

 Although his charge as vice president of distributed learning at the Uniformed Services University of 

the Health Sciences (USU) is a recent appointment, 

Mr. Bill Bester, RN, MSN, CNAA, BC, is a familiar and 

welcome face on the Bethesda campus. Before he 

took on this new role, the retired Army brigadier 

general impacted USU’s learning community in 

other capacities, drawing from years of experience 

in uniform and hospitals around the world. 

 A former acting dean of the Graduate School of 

Nursing and Chief of the Army Nurse Corps, Bester 

has been at the core of the academic health center 

for some years now. These responsibilities required 

him to oversee the GSN’s educational programs, 

including four master’s tracks and one doctoral program. Uniquely suited to lead a federal school of 

nursing, Bester was able to provide first-hand perspectives on military medicine, having dedicated 

more than three decades to the Armed Forces. 

 He is trying on a new hat though, by developing 

alternatives to traditional classroom experiences. 

Because military members are assigned and located 

around the globe, online courses could offer new 

platforms for students stationed in a variety of locations. 

 “The interest level is great,” enthused Bester of 

the program, before describing its many advantages. To begin with, USU could reach more people, 

across all specialties. Also, many recent studies suggest both resident and remote learners derive the 

same educational benefits, he continued. 

 USU has already had some experience in converting course material to electronic platforms, with 

some success, prompting Bester to explain, “We’ve 

dipped our toes in the pond of distributed learning, 

now it’s time to expand learning opportunities even 

further.” 

 There is much work to be done though, and 

Bester is laboring to bring form to this broad concept. “Right now we are gathering information so 

we can develop a 

template to work 

from,” he said. 

Bester and several 

other subject matter 

experts recently visited Johns Hopkins 

University to learn 

about their distributed learning programs, with plans to 

continue to analyze 

those of other premiere universities in 

the upcoming 

months. 

 Clearly Bester is 

vested in a huge undertaking, systematically addressing program details and resource requirements, 

both from a fiscal perspective and from a human 

resource perspective. 

 A proven leader, his past successes bear fruit in a 

distinguished portfolio that begins even before 

USU’s charter class matriculated into the School of 

Medicine. “Lassoed” into the Nurse Corps by an 

Army recruiter, according to Bester, he “liked everything about the military.” Traveling the world and 

quickly advancing through the ranks, his career in 

the Army culminated in his selection as the 21 st 

Chief of the Army Nurse Corps. After retirement, 

Bester went on to teach at civilian universities, but 

perhaps it was a proud military disposition that 

brought him back to the Nation’s academic health 

center. 

 “My whole professional life was spent around 

service members and their families,” Bester said 

thoughtfully. “USU holds a special place in my 

heart.” 

 The sentiment is returned. The newest vice president is more than a visionary leader; he is the embodiment of what the university strives to impart—

excellence in military medicine. Welcome back Bill 

Bester! 

By Christine Creenan 

VPE Staff Writer 

Bill Bester 

Celebrating a Half Century's Contribution to Pharmacology: A 

Symposium to Honor Dr. Brian Cox 

 The Department of 

Pharmacology at the Uniformed Services University 

of the Health Sciences 

(USU) is hosting a symposium to honor professor 

and former chair Brian 

Cox, Ph.D., Nov. 13. 

 The forum celebrates 

Dr. Cox’s many contributions to the university and 

the community of pharmacologists at large as well 

as his recent appointment as president-elect of the 

American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Pharmacology. 

 The all-day event begins with morning and afternoon sessions serving as platforms for colleagues 

and associates to present their research in opiod and 

other areas of neuropharmacology. Following these 

special presentations, participants are invited to enjoy a wine and cheese reception and dinner at a 

local restaurant. 

 For more information about the event or to register, visit www.usuhs.mil/pha/symposium. 
USU 

A Traditional Academic University with a Unique 

Focus 

National Disability Awareness Month 

The USU community of learners looked to one of their own, 

Professor Sharon Juliano, Ph.D., to serve as the keynote 

speaker during a program commemorating National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Taking center stage, 

Dr. Juliano recalled the car accident that left her badly injured and in the hospital for many months. Still she persevered, eventually trading in a wheelchair for crutches and 

then on to the cane she still uses to navigate university 

grounds. Besides changing her body irrevocably, the accident led Dr. Juliano down the research path. Her scientific 

work focuses on the development of the cerebral cortex and 

investigates the mechanisms of tangential and radial migration of neurons into their target sites. Truly a role model 

for all people, Dr. Juliano is particularly inspiring in the 

classroom. She teaches gross anatomy of the head and neck 

and neuroscience, as well as several graduate student 

courses. 

 The adage 

“like father, 

like daughter” certainly 

rings true in 

the case of 

2LT Carolyn 

Salter. She is 

following in 

her dad’s 

footsteps and 

the path has 

not been an 

easy course. 

After all, LTC 

Charles 

Salter, Ph.D., 

leaves a big 

imprint. 

 Emulating 

a decorated 

officer, accomplished 

scholar and 

senior leader 

at the Uniformed Services University of the Health 

Sciences (USU) is no easy task, but with 

sheer determination and a lot of hard work, 

the young medical student is making her 

family proud of the soldier she has become 

and the physician she longs to be. 

 “I feel humbled to realize that, as a future medical officer, Carolyn will likely have 

a larger impact on the U.S. Army than most 

of her forebears,” said LTC Salter. 

 Of course, Salter always knew she 

wanted to be in the military; her father 

spent much of his professional career 

championing the virtues of service and 

besides, patriotic fervor runs deep in the 

Salter lineage. 

 “From what I 

know about my 

ancestry, there has 

been a soldier in 

the family ever 

since the Revolutionary War,” she 

proudly affirms. 

 Carrying the tradition forward was an 

easy choice but the decision to become a 

uniformed physician was far more happenstance. You see, long before Salter was 

buried in anatomy textbooks, the accomplished athlete could be found competing 

in national figure skating championships. 

She endured many injuries, and eventually 

sought medical attention for ankle and 

shoulder damage. Salter feared the wear 

on her body would take its toll and force 

her to give up the sport she loved. 

 “My physicians gave me skating back,” 

she recalls. “To be able to give someone 

their dream is amazing. That’s why I want 

to go into medicine.” 

 Now she is halfway through her first 

year of study, and the aspiring military doctor is engaging in one-of-a-kind experiences, at some of the nation’s top treatment facilities. 

 “In my third week of school I was at Walter Reed (Army Medical Center) interviewing a soldier 

who got hit by 

an IED 

(improvised 

explosive device),” laments 

Salter before 

adding, “I want to be an Army physician, 

USU just makes sense.” 

 The young girl, who long since drew 

inspiration from watching neighbors deploy around the world, now proudly represents the next generation of soldiers willing 

to go into harm’s way on behalf of the nation. In doing so, 2LT Carolyn Salter is fulfilling a family legacy and strapping on some 

mighty large boots in the process. 

Medical Student Continues Family Legacy of Military Service 

By Christine Creenan 

Staff Writer 

Courtesy Photo 

LTC Charles Salter stands 

alongside newly commissioned daughter, 2LT Carolyn Salter. 

“To be able to give someone their 

dream is amazing. That’s why I want 

to go into medicine.” 

 2LT Carolyn Salter
PAGE 4 

 The Consortium for Health and Military Performance, or 

CHAMP, turned up the heat at USU with its ACSM/DoD Roundtable Conference on Exertional Heat Stroke: Return to Play/Duty 

Issues, Oct. 22 and 23. This conference, also in collaboration with 

AMSSM and NATA, brought leading experts from the United 

States and around the world to discuss issues related to exertional 

heat illness, a condition affecting military service members, as well 

as recreational and elite athletes. 

 Presently, no standardized evidence-based recommendations 

exist for determining when an athlete or warfighter can safely 

return to regular physical activities following exertional heat illness. In addition, there are remarkable variations in clinical decision-making practices. Hence, the goal of the conference was to 

generate a consensus document for publication that outlines the 

relevant issues, identifies research gaps, and provides consensus 

guidelines based on current evidence and best practices. With 

approximately half of the experts providing 26 different definitions 

of exertional heat stoke on the first day of the conference, it was 

realized such a meeting was overdue. 

 The conference was a major success: COL Francis O’Connor, 

from the Department of Military and Emergency Medicine, and 

Medical Director of CHAMP, and Dr. Doug Casa, a heat expert and 

associate professor from the University of Connecticut, will synthesize the discussions into a consensus statement based on current 

best practices and scientific data. The goal is to generate guidelines that will be published in Medicine and Science in Sports and 

Exercise (MSSE), the premier journal for Sports Medicine and published by the American College of Sports Medicine. Meanwhile, 

presentations from the conference will be available in a few 

weeks on CHAMP’s website, champ.usuhs.mil. 

 “So what exactly is CHAMP?” 

 CHAMP participates in basic, clinical and translational research, 

serves as an educational resource, and provides clinical expertise 

in optimizing the functional capacity of warfighter: the objective 

of CHAMP is to help maximize and sustain performance in the 

operational environment. To accomplish this goal, CHAMP provides educational services and consultative services through its 

website champ.usuhs.mil to DoD Commands, military clinicians, 

and Warfighters. CHAMP believes that “Every warrior is an athlete”: health and performance of the warfighter is its number one 

priority. 

 CHAMP recently installed an environmental chamber in building 53, where both temperature and humidity can be regulated 

to both cold and heat extremes. We hope to move forward with 

heat-related research with the intention of narrowing the existing 

research gaps. CHAMP has been busy, but this is only the beginning. It’s going to get much hotter!

Leading Experts Engage in “Hot” Discussions 

By Selasi Attipoe 

Human Performance Laboratory 

USU Runners Sail By in Navy 5 Miler 

The USU sponsored racing team came in second place for the military teams at the annual “Navy 5 Miler” held 

at West Potomac Park in Washington D.C. The Runners include (back row, from left to right) HM3 Marvin Gomez, CAPT Jaime Luke, Hm2 Tinsae Tekleab, TSgt Marvin Jones, (front row, from left to right) HM1 Joe Monsivais and FC2 Adam Race. 

Photo by Laura Banes 
PAGE 5 

USU's 2008 Combined Federal Campaign officially kicked off with a 

monumental celebration on Oct. 16, 2008. Donating can be accomplished either by payroll deduction or by making a one-time gift in 

the form of cash or check. Please take the time to look through the 

2008 Catalog of Caring and remember, when you give through the 

Uniformed Services University Combined Federal Campaign you 

become a star in someone's life. The help and hope offered through 

donations has an immeasurable impact on those in need. For questions relating to USU's 2008 Combined Federal Campaign, please 

contact key members at USUCFC@usuhs.mil. 

Combined Federal Campaign 

 The University Family Health Center at 

the Uniformed Services University of the 

Health Sciences (USU) provides comprehensive personal and family centered care 

to all military beneficiaries. From the treatment of acute illness, family planning and 

minor surgeries to immunizations, sports 

medicine and even mental health counseling, the knowledgeable staff 

provides a broad range of 

services that benefits the people of USU. In addition to the 

full time doctors, nurse and 

technicians on staff, the clinic 

houses a robust mental 

health group. 

 Physicians and support 

staff at the Family Health Center deliver 

personalized care by tailoring services to 

meet the needs of patients and through 

this continued interaction, foster long term 

relationships with students and their families. 

 “At many civilian medical centers you 

never see the same doctor twice, but at the 

USU clinic you can almost guarantee that 

you can see ‘your’ doctor each and every 

time,” patient Kristen Brown explains. “That 

says something about continuity. Dr. 

(Brian) Unwin was my regular doctor when 

I got the sniffles, then he saw me throughout my pregnancy, and now he is my 

daughter’s primary care provider.” 

 Beyond providing traditional ambulatory 

care, the USU clinic hosts education programs and weekly specialty services, including sports medicine and high risk obstetrics 

clinics. This allows patients to conveniently 

seek out the expertise of a specialist without leaving campus grounds. 

 “The University Family Health Center is a 

unique and special place at USU. It provides state-of-the art primary care for the 

entire family while incorporating on-site 

advanced procedural services and selected 

specialty consultation,” said Dr. Brian 

Reamy, associate professor and chair in the 

Department of Family Medicine. “The patients who use our clinic consistently rate is 

a “5” for quality care and customer service 

in TRICARE surveys. The physicians who 

work in the UFHC also feel that it is one of 

the best clinical work environments in the 

DoD.” 

 Many of the physicians on staff are university alumni, which gives them a unique 

perspective on how to most effectively 

medically prepare students for the USU 

experience. 

 “As a graduate of USU, I am quite familiar with the time constraints and pressures 

of the medical studies here, and having 

quality medical care available at the USU 

Family Health Center is an invaluable resource in the access and delivery of care to 

the students,” said Dr. Mary Porvaznik, 

USPHS brigade company commander. 

“The clinic strives to help the students balance their busy lives, their studies, their 

careers as medical officers, their families, 

and their physical, emotional and spiritual 

well being.” 

Family Health Center Provides Exceptional 

Care to USU Community 

By Christine Creenan 

Staff Writer 

“At many civilian medical centers you 

never see the same doctor twice, but at 

the USU clinic you can see ‘your’ doctor 

each and every time.”

 Kristen Brown

USU 

A Traditional Academic University with a Unique 

Focus 
PAGE 6 

 The Faculty Senate is a deliberative assembly of the faculty of the 

Uniformed Services University, acting 

on all matters relating to educational 

policy and its implementation, scholarly activity, university service and 

faculty welfare. The Senate represents more than 4,000 faculty members, and serves as an advisory and 

consultative body to the president of 

the university and other senior administrators. 

 The Faculty Senate is comprised 

of elected members of the general 

faculty and administrators who 

serve as ex-officio members. Full 

Senate meeting are open to all 

Uniformed Services University faculty. 

 Additionally, the Faculty Senate 

sponsors special events and honors, including: Education Day, 

Research Week, the Packard Lecture and the Carol Johns Award. 

 The history of the faculty senate reaches back to the university’s 

early days. This assembly was the means by which a diverse faculty shared a voice in the collective vision of the Uniformed Services University. 

 In 1978, USU’s charter class was 

just halfway through their second 

year of studies when a meeting was 

called to organize a Faculty Assembly. This forum provided the first 

appointment of Chairperson Kathryn V. Holmes, Ph.D., professor, Department of Pathology. She and 

other faculty members oversaw the 

election of the first assembly officers. Together they pursued faculty 

interests, albeit in short term. 

 Three months later, COL Harry C. 

Holloway, M.D., chair, Department 

of Psychiatry, and other elected 

officers marked the first long-term 

assembly. The successive group, 

lead by Lucy M.S. Chang, Ph.D., professor, Department of Biochemistry, 

established a precedence of democratically electing officers; a tradition 

that would be carried forward, and 

is still in practice today. 

 Over the years, the assembly has enjoyed a history of diverse 

leadership, with presidents hailing from various university departments. 

 All USU faculty are encouraged to participate in Senate meetings, held on the second Thursday of each month. 

Faculty Senate Enjoys Rich History, Diverse Leadership 

By Christine Creenan 

Staff Writer 

Photo by HM2 Michael Oliver 

Faculty Senate Officers (from left to right): Past President 

Robert Williams, President Andrew Bauer, Secretary/Treasurer Barbara Knollmann-Ritschel and President 

Elect Neil Grunberg 

You are invited to 

USU Toastmaster’s Meeting 

Date: Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008 

Time: 11:45 a.m.-1:00 pm, 

Place: USU Campus, Building E, Room G250 

Come and listen to an award winning humorous speaker 

Light refreshments will be served 

Any member of USU and AFRRI are welcome 

to attend. 

Toastmasters is a fun and supportive environment to learn to speak better 

Toastmaster 
Army Physical Health Assessments: The USU Medical clinic will 

now schedule Army PHAs, starting Nov. 12 from 6:30 to 7:15 a.m. 

Call the USU Medical Clinic at 295-3630 to schedule your appointment. 

Helpdesk Closure: The UIS Helpdesk will be closed for training on 

Thursdays from 10 to 11 a.m. During this time, you can leave a 

voicemail message at 295-9800 or utilize the HEAT Self Service 

(http://www.usuhs.mil/uis/forms/trouble.html), or send an email 

to help@usuhs.mil. If an emergency should arise, please call 295-

9870. 

2008 Combined Federal Campaign (CFC): The Chili Cook-off will 

be on Nov. 3 at 11a.m. to 1p.m. in the Building C lobby, near William III coffee shop. There will be a prize for 1st and 2nd place. Tasters will judge for the best chili. If you would like to participate the 

cost is $1 for a cup and $3 for a bowl. The proceeds will go to the 

CFC general fund to be distributed throughout the different charities. If you would like additional information please contact HM2 

Charles (USN), at ccharles@usuhs.mil or 295-9451. For more info 

about the CFC or to volunteer please contact the USU CFC committee at . 

Voting: The 2008 Presidential Election is Nov. 4. If you require 

any voting assistance, please contact LCDR Kemper, USN (CMD) at 

295-9434 or mkemper@usuhs.mil or IT2 Woods, USN (UIS) at 295-

9800 or gwoods@usuhs.mil. 

Marine Corps Birthday Celebration: The U.S. Marine Corps will 

celebrate its 233rd birthday Nov. 10. To commemorate this occasion, there will be a cake-cutting ceremony on Nov. 7 at 7:45 a.m. 

in the Sanford Lobby. All are invited and encouraged to attend. 

Rappelling Opportunity: Conquer your fear of heights and rappel 

down Building A. There will be a class taught by FC2 Race on 

rappelling Nov. 14 at 8 a.m. outside Building A. This opportunity 

is only open to faculty and staff of USU. If you have a personal 

harness you are welcome to bring it. For more information contact FC2 Race, USN (MEM) at 295-9637. 

Brigade Awards Ceremony: The next USU Brigade Awards Ceremony will take place on Nov. 14 at 8:30 a.m. in the Sanford Auditorium. This ceremony will recognize some of the officers and 

enlisted personnel that support our organization and contribute 

to the success of our mission. All department heads, chairs, supervisors, and directors are encouraged to attend this important occasion. 

Staff Member Farewell: There will be a farewell for SPC Cruz, USA 

(LAM) on Nov. 14 at 1p.m. in Dave & Buster’s in Rockville. For additional information please contact SGT McQuade, USA (LAM) at 

jemcquade@usuhs.mil or 295-8000. Also, there will be a farewell 

for SSgt Rogers, USAF (MEM) on Dec. 18 at 1p.m., located at Union Jack’s in Bethesda. For additional information please contact 

SSG Sedano, USA (MEM) at psedano@usuhs.mil or 295-4526. 

Learning Resource Center (LRC) Course: A Microsoft Excel 2007: 

Level 1 course will be taught on Nov. 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 

p.m. in the LRC computer lab. This course is intended for individuals who want to gain basic knowledge of working on Microsoft 

Excel 2007. It will provide you with the basic concepts required to 

create, edit, format and print basic Microsoft Office Excel 2007 

worksheets and workbooks. All federal USU and AFRRI civilian 

employees are eligible to attend. Registrations will be accepted 

on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more information please contact Cory Edwards or Theresa Spriggs at (301)295-0679. 

Enlisted Staff Thanksgiving Party: On Nov. 21 formation will be at 

10 a.m. inside the Bowling Center. Directly following formation, 

the Brigade Enlisted Social Committee (ESC) will host an enlisted 

Thanksgiving Holiday pot-luck party. All service members are encouraged to sign up for a dish. Please contact SGT Reaves, USA 

(LAM) at 295-9584 or lareaves@usuhs.mil, HM2 Charles, USN 

(EHS) at 295-9451 or ccharles@usuhs.mil, or SSgt Fusco, USAF 

(PAT) at 295-3491 or sfusco@usuhs.mil. Appropriate civilian attire 

is authorized please ensure you inform supervisors. 

Enlisted Holiday Party: The Enlisted Social Committee (ESC) has 

organized an enlisted holiday party on Dec. 12 at 11 a.m. The 

holidays will be celebrated at the American Legion, more information to follow. The points of contact for this event are SGT Donnelly, USA (UMS) jdonnelly@usuhs.mil or 295-3386 and HM2 

Charles, USN (EHS) ccharles@usuhs.mil or 295-9451. 

PFT/PFA/APFT Spring 2009: The spring 2009 Physical Fitness Test 

for all services is projected for April 7, 8, 9 and 14, 15, 16. Plan 

accordingly. If there are any questions please contact your service 

specific fitness coordinators – Air Force contact (T)Sgt Ernle at 

295-3281; Navy contact FC2 Race at 295-9637; and Army contact 

SSG Rogers at 295-3720. 

USU Briefs 

 Maj. Sarah Page, USAF, MC, (USU 

class of 1999) Assistant Professor and 

Director of Clinical Clerkships, USU 

Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 

was awarded the “2008 Medical Student Recruitment Award” from the 

American College of Obstetricians and 

Gynecologists at their annual clinical 

meeting. 

 Dr. Lou Pangaro, chair of the Department of Medicine, has been selected as 

a Laureate of the Army Chapter of the 

American College of Physicians. This 

honor recognizes a lifetime of excellence in clinical care, academic leadership and teaching, research, military 

leadership and mentoring and overall 

influence on Army Internal Medicine. 

 LTC Jeffery S.. Yarvis, MS, has been 

named the Uniformed Services Social 

Worker of the Year for 2008. This is the 

first time the award will be presented. It 

was formed by the Uniformed Social 

Workers and the Association of Military 

Surgeons of the United States (AMSUS) 

to recognize 

outstanding 

research and 

clinical efforts 

in the treatment of PostTraumatic 

Stress Disorder benefitting soldiers 

and wounded warriors. The award will 

be presented at the 2008 AMSUS annual dinner in San Antonio in November. 

Award Recipients 

USU 

A Traditional Academic University with a Unique 

Focus 
UNIFORMED SERVICES UNIVERSITY 

of the Health Sciences