Volume 7, Issue 7 • April 13, 2012

www.usuhs.mil

The Official USU Newsletter
On the cover

The Healers motorcyle club is one of the 

many interest groups for students, staff and 

faculty on campus. (See story, page 3.)

Photo by Thomas C. Balfour

Sharon Willis

Deputy Vice President for External 

Affairs and Managing Editor

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 

swillis@usuhs.mil or by calling 

301-295-3578.

2 The Pulse The Official USU Newsletter

Photo by Thomas C. Balfour

Pathology professor earns Wu Award

By Christine Creenan-Jones

Clifford Snapper, M.D., professor of 

Pathology at USU, is the 2012 winner of 

the Henry Wu Award for Excellence in 

Basic Research. Snapper was nominated 

for the award by his peers, on the basis 

of a recent breakthrough in his decadelong investigation into the body’s 

immune response to complex sugars 

called polysaccharides. 

Polysaccharides expressed by 

various bacteria enable pathogens to 

evade the host immune response, and 

therefore cause disease. In this regard, 

researchers have developed several 

successful anti-bacterial vaccines by 

eliciting specific and protective antipolysaccharide antibody responses. 

Most basic studies on how antibody 

responses to polysaccharides are 

regulated in vivo have used isolated 

polysaccharide antigens. However, 

few investigators besides Snapper’s 

team, are studying how bacteria 

influence the nature of the antibody 

response to the polysaccharides they 

naturally express.

Snapper’s findings were published – 

a requirement for Wu Award selection 

– in an article called, “The Nature of 

an In Vivo Anti-Capsular Polysaccharide Response Is Markedly Influenced 

by the Composition and/or Architecture of the Bacterial Subcapsular 

Domain,” which appeared in a recent 

issue of the Journal of Immunology. 

Although winning the Wu Award 

is encouraging, Snapper is most 

eager to continue making important 

contributions to science and conducting research that leads to better 

immunotherapies.

“The major source of satisfaction 

in being a scientist derives from the 

emersion in a project from its inception to a hopefully successful conclusion. This is followed by the excitement 

of knowing that your published work 

is available for reading by a global 

audience. Nevertheless, the typical day 

to day experience in the research lab 

is often one of frustration with failed 

experiments, administrative hurdles, 

and a scarcity of positive feedback about 

one’s imagined or real accomplishments 

from colleagues. Winning awards is 

really ‘icing on the cake,’” he said. “They 

definitely make the cake taste better, on 

those rare occasions when the opportunity to eat cake does actually arise.”

The Henry Wu Award – named for 

the former chair of USU’s Department 

of Microbiology who strongly supported 

doctoral programs in the basic sciences 

– is sponsored by USU’s Faculty Senate. 

The Wu recipient also presents a lecture 

during Research Days, May 14-15.

Clifford Snapper, M.D., professor of Pathology, and his research associate, Quanyi 

Chen, M.D., examine tissue cultures for research they’re conducting at USU about the 

body’s immune response to polysaccharides. Dr. Snapper is this year’s Henry Wu Award 

for Excellence in Basic Science Research recipient.
April 13, 2012 3

Healers on the road

By Christine Creenan-Jones

Medical school is challenging, but 

every day before class begins and 

after it ends, Air Force 2nd Lt. Matt 

Hamm gets a brief reprieve from his 

enormous workload. Instead of driving 

a car to USU like most personnel, he 

rides his motorcycle, a red Honda 

CRF450, to campus – rain or shine. 

Biking is Hamm’s long-time 

passion – a temporary break from 

everyday stress – and his fervor is 

catching at USU. Three years ago, he 

started The Healers motorcycle club, 

a university-approved interest group 

for riding enthusiasts. 

“Our club is very diverse,” he said. 

“Faculty, staff and students, beginners 

and seasoned bikers – all with unique 

experiences and backgrounds – gather 

to share important information and 

ride motorcycles together. It’s a fun 

way to build camaraderie and contribute something unique to this extraordinary campus.”

Besides planning rides – usually 

somewhere local, but a new course 

each time – Hamm, the club’s president, and other Healers spend a great 

deal of time researching local and 

national motorcycle laws to raise 

awareness and promote bike safety 

among USU club members. 

“We’re strong advocates for responsible riding,” he said. “Many motorcyclists get into accidents because of 

inexperience or careless riding and 

from distracted drivers, so it’s imperative all club members know the rules 

of the road and ways to stay safe on 

their bikes.”

The club’s name, The Healers, chosen 

specifically because it represents the 

mission at USU, even captures the 

positive goals of the club. 

“Motorcyclists don’t always have 

the best reputations,” said Hamm. 

“But, our group was created as an 

uplifting network of support for bike 

lovers and as a forum for learning 

more about motorcycles – required 

safety courses, licensing and registration, engine maintenance, and 

anything else helpful to fellow riders 

at USU.” 

Motorcycles like Hamm’s can be a 

lot of work, expensive and inconvenient at times. He’s gone through six 

bikes in eleven years. Still, the payoff is 

worth the sacrifice, said the weatherhardened, rain-or-shine rider.

“I feel connected with the world 

around me when I’m riding. I can see, 

smell and hear everything. It’s a feeling 

of unbelievable freedom.”

Email matt_hamm@yahoo.com for 

more information about The Healers.

Photo by Thomas C. Balfour

USU Research Days 2012

May 14-15

Save The Date

Visit www.hjf.org to 

submit abstracts by March 23 and register for events.
PCNS in the Big Easy McKay Receives 

Larrey Award

USU 40th Anniversary 

Trivia Contest

4 The Pulse The Official USU Newsletter

USU Family Docs named 

Physicians of the Year

By Sharon Willis

Several Perioperative Clinical Nurse Specialist (PCNS) alumni and faculty from 

USU pose for a photo following an event in New Orleans sponsored by the Henry 

M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine. The event 

was held in conjunction with the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses 

(AORN) Congress, which included presentations by retired Army Colonel Linda 

Wanzer (front row, far right), director of USU’s PCNS program, and Army Major 

Thomas Rawlings (back row, third from right), assistant director of the PCNS 

program -- both of whom received standing ovations for their presentations.

Norman Rich, M.D., former chair of 

USU’s Norman M. Rich Department 

of Surgery, presented the Baron 

Dominique Jean Larrey Award for 

Excellence in Military Surgery to 

Navy Commander (Dr.) Patricia 

McKay, interim chair of the 

Department, during USU’s 32nd 

Annual Surgical Associates Day. 

Buildings A, B, D and E each have 

areas named after important 

figures in USU’s history. The first 

person to correctly identify at 

least four of these spaces and 

send their responses to Christine.

Creenan-Jones@usuhs.edu wins a 

large coffee and donut, courtesy of 

USU’s cafeteria.

The Uniformed Services Academy 

of Family Physicians (USAFP) has 

announced its annual Physicians of 

the Year and two doctors with USU 

ties are among the recipients.

Maj. (Dr.) Aaron Saguil, assistant 

professor in USU’s Department of Family 

Medicine, and Lt.Col. (Dr.) Shawn 

Kane (SoM ’95), were honored for their 

achievements during the USAFP annual 

meeting in Las Vegas, March 22.

Saguil was chosen as the USAFP 

Uniformed Family Physician of the 

Year. This peer-decided honor is 

awarded to the uniformed family physician who exemplifies the tradition of 

the family doctor and his contributions in ensuring continued health and 

quality of care to the members of the 

Uniformed Services. 

“Dr. Saguil serves as the USU 

academic liaison to Fort Belvoir 

Community Hospital for the Department of Family Medicine,” said Capt. 

(Dr.) Mark Stephens, chair of USU’s 

Department of Family Medicine. “He 

was the FBCH Teacher of the Year 

for academic year 2010-2011. Dr. 

Saguil brings extensive experience 

in graduate medical education to the 

department. The joy he brings to the 

teaching environment is inspirational 

and refreshing.”

Kane, who will be joining USU’s 

Family Medicine department faculty 

this summer, was honored as the 

USAFP Operational Family Physician 

of the Year. The award was presented 

to Kane for exhibiting outstanding achievement in the provision, 

promotion or research in operational 

medical care.

“Dr. Kane has a longstanding track 

record of clinical excellence in the 

operational environment. His experience and academic credentials will 

further strengthen ongoing interdepartmental collaborations to ensure USU 

students are always ready to care for 

those in harm’s way,” Stephens said.

Courtesy Photo

Courtesy Photo
‘Top Gun’ 

Actor Visits Troops

April 13, 2012 5

USU class of 1991 alumna, Army Col. 

(Dr.) Karen O’Brien, recently hosted 

a visit to Madigan Army Medical 

Center by actor Tom Skerritt, who 

is best known for his role in the 

1980s film, Top Gun. Skerritt played 

Tom Cruise’s Top Gun instructor, 

“Viper,” in the movie, and was at the 

hospital to visit wounded warriors. 

O’Brien is the deputy commander 

for Clinical Services at Madigan. 

Nurses: Advocating, Leading and Caring

By CPT Nikki R. Bailey, AN, USA

National Nurses Week – an annual 

celebration beginning May 6 and 

culminating on May 12, the birthday 

of Florence Nightingale – is coming to 

USU. The Graduate School of Nursing 

(GSN) is sponsoring the celebration, 

honoring military nurses who, like 

Nightingale, provide care to service 

members and transform health care 

through visionary leadership every day.

This year’s main event, being held 

in USU’s cafeteria on May 8 at noon, 

includes guest speakers Ada Sue 

Hinshaw, Ph.D., dean of the GSN 

and Dale C. Smith, Ph.D., senior vice 

president of USU. Cake, prizes and 

other activities capturing the spirit of 

the military nurse corps – an important part of USU and the Military 

Health System at large – will follow 

formal presentations.

Today, the profession of nursing is 

truly a science and art that embraces 

people dedicated to the profession of 

caring for others. The 2012 National 

Nurses Week theme is “Nurses: 

Advocating, Leading and Caring.” 

Nurses perform these roles in a variety 

of settings, from emergency rooms 

and inpatients units to school-based 

clinics and ambulatory care settings. As 

leaders, they may be found in diverse 

positions such as staff nurse, clinical nurse specialist, nurse practitioner 

and nurse researcher. Nurses perform 

in non-traditional roles such as Chief 

Executive Officer of health care facilities, 

legal nurse consultant, and nursing informatics specialist. In the military, nurses 

are now serving as top leaders within 

the Department of Defense and Military 

Health System to include Army Surgeon 

General, commanders of military treatment facilities, and chief nurses in each 

service’s Department of Nursing. 

As advocates, nurses strive to 

improve quality of care and play a 

major role in cost effective patientcentered treatment. Nurses are caring 

professionals who work in collaboration with physicians, social workers 

and ancillary staff to provide the best 

patient care. Nurses hold the honor 

as being ranked as the most trusted 

profession by the public they serve. 

National Nurses Week is a time to 

recognize, support and show gratitude 

for the nursing profession.

USU’s Nursing Week Committee members (front, l to r): CPT Crystal Hansen; MAJ Jody 

Brown; Maj Melissa Smith; (back, l to r): Capt Carol Kelly; CPT Nikki Bailey; LT Karen 

Ortolani; and CPT Sean Harris.

Courtesy Photo

Courtesy Photo

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6 The Pulse The Official USU Newsletter

Deployed doc has Airmen on pins and needles

By Staff Sgt. J.G. Buzanowski, 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

How do you wake up Lady Gaga in 

the morning? Poke her face. How does 

Lt. Col. (Dr.) Darlene Smallman treat 

patients in pain? Same way. 

Smallman, a USU class of 1995 

alumna, is a flight surgeon deployed to 

the 380th Expeditionary Medical Group 

from the Pentagon. She’s also one of 

about a hundred medical professionals 

in the Air Force trained to use acupuncture needles and techniques as part of 

her repertoire in helping people. 

“No one knows exactly how acupuncture works, but what we do know is that 

proper technique and application is 

extremely effective at treating everything 

from pain to weight loss,” said Smallman, a Neosho, Wis., native. 

Certified practitioners of acupuncture like Smallman are trained to insert 

needles of various sizes at specific points 

on the body. This process affects specific 

nerve clusters or trigger points, and 

helps treat the body for various ailments.

Smallman studied at the Air Force 

Acupuncture Center on Joint Base 

Andrews, Md. Experts there developed techniques called “battlefield acupuncture” to help military 

suffering from rashes, pain, stress, 

migraines and even post-traumatic 

stress disorder symptoms. 

“Acupuncture is just another 

tool in our toolbox we have to help 

people,” Smallman said. “With battlefield acupuncture, we use traditional 

techniques targeted at issues military 

members have most often. The 

program is relatively easy to teach to 

other physicians in the field, and we’ve 

had a lot of success with it.”

For Maj. Amber Hirsch, the 380th 

AEW judge advocate, acupuncture 

helped with chronic pain she has in her 

hip. While deployed to Iraq in 2007, 

the major aggravated a previous hip 

injury. After she returned home, she’d 

seen doctors at four different bases. 

Each one had a different diagnosis and 

prescribed various medications. None 

of them worked.

All that changed when Hirsch 

started seeing Smallman. The doctor 

applied 4 mm needles to specific points 

in Hirsch’s ears, instantly dulling the 

pain in her hip. 

“It’s strange, I know, but it works,” 

said Hirsch, deployed from Grissom 

Air Reserve Base, Ind. “I was 

completely skeptical at first, but I 

talked to one of the doctors here and 

they recommended it. Then I saw 

another girl who had it done for back 

pain and she said it worked. I’d been 

dealing with the pain for so long; I 

figured I didn’t have anything to lose.” 

Hirsch said the needles don’t hurt 

much at all. It’s like “when they prick 

your finger for a blood test,” Hirsch said. 

“But totally worth it, especially for as 

well as it works, at least for me,” she said.

The acupuncture experience is a 

very personal treatment and doesn’t 

necessarily work for everyone, Smallman cautioned.

“We want people to have realistic expectations about acupuncture; 

it’s not the cure for cancer,” she said. 

“It’s one more way we have of helping 

people deal with pain in their lives. 

“And if it does work in someone, it 

saves a lot of time and money we might 

otherwise spend sending them to a pain 

specialist, for example,” she added. “It’s 

an effective and inexpensive way for 

people to manage pain or other issues.”

Since being deployed, Smallman 

has helped dozens of people through 

acupuncture.

“Patients get excited because it’s 

something different they haven’t tried, 

and then get even more excited when it 

works,” Smallman said. “The best advice I 

can offer anyone is if someone is curious 

about whether acupuncture might work 

for them, they should ask their doctor.” 

Photo by Staff Sgt. J.G. Buzanowski
April 13, 2012 7

GSN Professor Earns Coveted Foreign Military Badge

By Sharon Willis

Army Maj. Tyler Wilson, assistant 

professor in USU’s Graduate School 

of Nursing (GSN) Nurse Anesthesia 

program, was awarded the soughtafter German Armed Forces Troop 

Duty Proficiency Badge, Abzeichen 

für Leistungen im Truppendienst, in 

Gold by Brig. Gen. Hasso Koertge, the 

Commander of the German Armed 

Forces Command, United States/

Canada on March 21.

The coveted badge is awarded to 

military members who have demonstrated proficiency in general military 

performance, sports performance, and 

performance in their specialty and 

overall aptitude. 

The badge is a decoration of the 

Bundeswehr, the armed forces of the 

Federal Republic of Germany, and 

is authorized for all German troops. 

Soldiers from the U.S. and other 

Allied nations may also be awarded 

the badge, which is among the very 

few foreign awards approved for wear 

on the uniform, including the ACU. 

Participants must first complete 

the Combat Lifesaver Level I course, 

or equivalent, to finish the first aid 

requirement. Soldiers then compete 

in seven events that test endurance, 

strength, marksmanship and cardiofitness. Everyone takes part in the 

road march, which is done in ACUs 

without helmets and weapons, while 

carrying a 35-pound backpack, excluding water. Participants are given 10 

minutes per kilometer (km). A 6 km, 

1-hour finish nets a bronze grade, 9 

km, 1.5-hour finish results in a silver 

grade, and a gold grade is based on a 

12 km finish in 2 hours. 

Soldiers also must all demonstrate their marksmanship by firing a 

Beretta or P8 pistol from 20 meters, 

hitting a minimum of 3 of the 5 

targets. In addition, they are required 

to take part in a 200-meter swim. At 

age 38, Wilson, who was the oldest 

competitor, was required to finish the 

200-meter swim in 7 minutes or less. 

Participants may choose the remaining four events from a variety of sporting activities, including a 1,000-meter 

swim or 3,000-meter long distance 

run, broad jump or high jump, 100- or 

1000-meter sprint, shot put or stone 

throw, with times or distances based on 

age category. Based on his age, Wilson 

had to jump at least 14.10 ft. in the 

broad jump or 4.26 ft. in the high jump, 

run a 100-meter sprint in 14.0 seconds 

or less or a 1,000-meter sprint in 4.10 

minutes or less, throw a shotput 25.43 

ft. or more, or throw a stone 27.89 feet, 

and run 3,000 meters in 14.5 minutes 

or swim 1,000 meters in 28.3 minutes. 

“I would like to take a moment to 

recognize MAJ John Tyler Wilson 

for an exemplary accomplishment, 

Army Col. Paul Lewis, Ph.D., FNP-C, 

assistant professor in the Graduate School of Nursing and the GSN’s 

senior Army officer. “This represents 

a significant achievement as this is a 

very strenuous and difficult badge to 

obtain. Being awarded this badge is a 

great accomplishment by Maj. Wilson 

and continues to showcase the stellar 

faculty at USU.” 

Wilson is among a number of 

noteworthy officers who have earned 

the award, including Maj. Gen. 

(ret.) Gale Pollock, former Chief of 

the Army Nurse Corps and Deputy 

Surgeon General; retired four-star 

General Crosbie Saint, the former 

Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Army 

Europe; and Army General David 

Petraeus, who recently retired and was 

appointed as director of the Central 

Intelligence Agency.

Courtesy Photo

Army Maj. Tyler Wilson, assistant professor 

in USU’s Nurse Anesthesia program, is 

presented with a certificate of achievement 

by Brig. Gen. Hasso Koertge, the 

Commander of the German Armed Forces 

Command, United States/Canada, for 

completion of the rigorous German Armed 

Forces Troop Duty Proficiency Badge.