The Official USU Newsletter

Volume 6, Issue 2 n January 31, 2011

www.usuhs.mil

USU expertise on point 

following Tucson tragedy
Courtesy Photo

On the cover

Dr. Peter Rhee (USU SoM ’87) above, is the 

chair of trauma at the University of Arizona 

Health Sciences Center in Tucson. Also 

pictured, USU interim chief of Neurology 

Army Col. (Dr.) Geoffrey Ling and Dr. James 

Ecklund (USU SoM ’87) who is chair 

of neurosciences at Inova Fairfax 

Hospital in Virginia. (See story, page 3).

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 January 31, 2011

GSN Hosts Federal Nursing Service Chiefs 

by MC1 Chad Hallford

The Federal Nursing Service Chiefs 

(FNSC) for the Army, Navy, Air Force 

and PHS joined other distinguished 

members to attend the Federal Nursing Service Council conference held 

on campus, Dec. 9, 2010.

 The conference, hosted by the 

USU Graduate School of Nursing, 

included Dean Dr. Ada Sue Hinshaw, 

an ex-officio member, along with 

the chief nursing officers from the 

Department of Veterans Affairs and 

American Red Cross.

“They are a very exciting group,” said 

Dr. Hinshaw. “Each organization is 

committed to their own unique missions while simultaneously using the 

group as a mechanism to expand opportunity and capabilities within and 

across organizational boundaries.”

“The FNSC was established with the 

purpose of coordinating between and 

collaborating amongst the federal service organization each council member represents,” said Dr. Hinshaw.

The group addresses the challenges 

of ensuring clinical competencies and 

skill sustainment regardless of service 

or environment. 

“From incorporating the latest 

battlefield initiatives, to funding the 

latest clinical research, while not 

over-looking current state licensing procedures, the group remains 

focused on how they can impact the 

training and education of the nurses 

of the federal force,” said Dr. Hinshaw.

Dr. Hinshaw added, “The needs 

of the services, with the direction 

of the council, have molded the last 

two developments in our active-duty 

nurse practitioners programs. This 

includes the nurse psychology-mental health and perioperative nurse 

specialist degrees.” 

The Federal Service Nursing 

Council, established in 1943, currently represents 125,000 nurses with 

a beneficiary population exceeding 

8.5 million.

The Federal Nursing Service Council met on the USU campus in December 2010, 

hosted by Graduate School of Nursing Dean Ada Sue Hinshaw.

Photo by Thomas Balfour
The Official USU Newsletter 3

Tucson tragedy highlights military medical 

education and training

by Christine Creenan-Jones

USU alumni have made profound 

contributions in the field of military 

medicine and in other areas of 

military and civilian life over the 

years. But, few have captured widespread media attention the way 

retired Navy Captain Peter Rhee, 

M.D., chief of trauma at the University Medical Center in Tucson, 

Arizona, did recently. 

The skilled trauma surgeon, a 1987 

USU F. Edward Hébert School of 

Medicine graduate, made headlines 

recently for his actions after a gunman 

opened fire outside of a crowded 

Arizona grocery store, injuring or 

killing more than a dozen people.

Dr. Rhee – educated by USU to 

expertly manage complex wounds 

in austere environments and under 

strenuous conditions – relied on more 

than 20 years of military medical 

experience to carry out life-saving 

procedures in the hours following the 

Tucson tragedy. 

His unique abilities and quick 

response helped to save the life of 

Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle 

Giffords, who was shot “through 

the head,” and several other injured 

spectators. Most gunshot wounds 

to the head are fatal, experts say, 

James Ecklund, M.D. (at podium) and Army Col. (Dr.) Geoffrey 

Ling were summoned to Tucson following the January 8, 2011 

shooting that injured or killed more than a dozen individuals.

Peter Rhee, M.D., called on military medical expertise as part 

of his response to the Tucson shootings. 

but Rhee and his team in Tucson, 

along with the expertise of two other 

USU-affiliated experts, have proven 

that brain injuries don’t always end 

so grimly.

Shortly after the shooting, and 

before the complete impact of the 

injuries were clear to the media 

or general public, Dr. Rhee had the 

support of the United States military, 

in particular USU’s interim chief of 

Neurology Army Col. (Dr.) Geoffrey 

Ling, at his fingertips. Ling, who was 

enroute to Afghanistan as part of a 

brain injury assessment team convened 

by Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of 

the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was accompanied by retired Army Colonel Jim 

Ecklund, M.D., a classmate of Rhee’s at 

USU, and a highly regarded neurosurgeon who had a good deal of experience caring for individuals with bullet 

injuries to the brain.

Both Ling and Ecklund were 

summoned by leadership at the 

Arizona hospital to consult on the 

complicated nature of the injuries, 

including those experienced by 

Congresswoman Giffords.

“Dr. Rhee requested our support 

because we are experienced in taking 

care of all types of traumatic brain 

injuries, including penetrating 

ballistic injuries – the type of injury 

affecting Congresswoman Giffords,” 

said Ling.

Penetrating ballistics are rare 

wounds in community hospitals and 

medical centers, especially in Tucson, 

but they occur more frequently in 

warzones like Iraq, where all three 

USU physicians practiced together. 

Dr. Rhee was a trauma surgeon 

supporting the Marines in Fallujah,” 

said Dr. Ling. “He provided the initial 

life-saving care to severely injured 

servicemembers. After they stabilized, 

Dr. Rhee would send patients to Dr. 

Ecklund and to me in Baghdad so we 

could begin brain and spinal cord care.”

The trio demonstrated similar professional collaboration at home, and they 

are being lauded for their efforts nationwide and here on campus.

“Drs. Rhee, Ling and Ecklund 

are a testament to the innovative 

medicine learned and taught at USU 

and practiced around the world,” said 

University President Charles Rice, 

M.D. “They embody the very ideals 

of military medicine, and have proven 

time and again their ability to provide 

the very best care under the most 

trying conditions.”
4 the pulse January 31, 2011

USU names Junior, Senior Employees of the Quarter 

by Staff Sgt. Matthew Rosine

The USU recently named two of its 

outstanding civilians as the Junior and 

Senior Employees of the Quarter.

Maria Smith, a program support assistant with the USU Department of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics, Division 

of Tropical Public Health was named the 

Junior Employee of the Quarter. 

Deborah Smith, a student travel 

resource manager with the USU 

School of Medicine was named as 

Senior Employee of the Quarter. 

These awards were based on their 

outstanding support and excellent 

service of the USU mission. 

Maria, who has been with the PMB/

TPH division for 15 months, is a diligent 

professional as seen in her support of 

routine and specialized duties including coordinating overseas travel for 

students and administering the continuing medical education program for the 

department’s seminar series. 

“Maria Smith is the finest administrator I have worked with in more than 

18 years as an active-duty officer,” said 

Army Col. (Dr.) Rodney Coldren, assistant professor and director of Tropical 

Public Health. “She does not shrink 

from any appropriate task. She never 

needs to be shown more than once how 

to complete even complex tasks.” 

As a testament to her hard work, 

Maria is routinely sought out by 

staff and faculty from throughout 

the department for guidance, assistance and advice. According to many 

faculty members, her efforts have 

substantially improved the quality of 

teaching provided to students because 

she removes the administrative 

burdens from faculty members.

“She does this without having to be 

asked,” said Coldren. “She reaches out, 

anticipates and appropriately reacts 

and performs.” 

Deborah, who has 11 years experience in the department, provided her 

incredible commitment and experience toward ensuring excellence 

throughout the department. 

During the University’s recent 

financial system changes, coupled 

with severe complications in student 

travel due to a simultaneous fiscal 

year change, Deborah helped ensure 

seamless transitions. She coordinated 

and planned several critical meetings, 

well in advance of the fiscal year 

change, to help ensure the policies 

and procedures were finalized and in 

place before they were needed. 

“Mrs. Smith is the most knowledgeable Defense Travel System 

administrator I have ever worked 

with and her commitment to excellence is an invaluable service to the 

USU community,” said Maj. Brandon 

Tourtillot, Air Force squadron 

commander in the USU company 

commanders’ office. “Mrs. Smith has 

displayed unbelievable dedication 

and expertise during the past quarter 

in improving USU.”

The Senior Employee of the 

Quarter’s efforts have been as large 

as the job she manages. As the sole 

medical student Defense Travel 

System approving official, she has 

expertly managed a $2.72 million 

budget while continuously looking 

for innovations in cost effective strategies to improve medical 

student travel. 

Deborah was solely responsible 

for approving more than 110 student 

travel vouchers, valued at $264,000 

within one week, directly impacting the reimbursements for many 

third- and fourth-year medical 

students prior to university-mandated 

deadlines. This prevented potential financial hardship for medical 

students returning from recent 

temporary duty. 

Mrs. Smith also took charge and 

coordinated more than 210 manual 

travel orders, valued at $300,000. These 

orders were created, routed through 

students, verified and authorized 

within a 72-hour period, ensuring 

that students did not have a lapse in 

required temporary orders. 

She also acts as the travel educational resource for the company 

commander’s office and the School 

of Medicine students.

“Mrs. Smith’s recent dedication 

to the University has been unprecedented and her attention to detail 

in protecting University funds has 

been phenomenal,” said Tourtillott. 

“Deborah’s work ethic is exemplary 

among her peers and she is well 

deserving of the Senior Employee of 

the Quarter recognition.”

Maria Smith Deborah Smith

Photo by Thomas Balfour Photo by Thomas Balfour
The Official USU Newsletter 5

Building C kiosk expands JGB’s reach

by MC1 Chad Hallford

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.

Get Fit ‘on the job’:

Part 1

Getting to the Office

Walking or bicycling to work 

is your best bet for workday 

fitness. Studies show that people 

with active commutes have 

fewer risk factors for heart 

disease, including lower blood 

pressure, triglyceride and insulin 

levels, and are less likely to be 

overweight. If active commuting isn’t practical for your entire 

trip to work, do as much as you 

can - take the bus, train or car 

and walk the last mile to your 

worksite. Or, pedal to work - but 

catch a ride home.

Built-In Fitness

Scheduling physical activity 

into your work day helps make it 

a habit. Once it’s on your calendar, honor your exercise time just 

as you would any other appointment. You may need to reschedule 

occasionally, but at least it will be 

on the books - and you’re more 

likely to get it done. 

Keep It Simple

Your at-work exercise plan 

doesn’t have to be complicated. 

Arrive early and walk briskly for 

20-30 minutes. Invite a co-worker 

to join you at lunch. Or, squeeze 

in a workout before you head 

home instead of jumping right 

into traffic. Find an empty room 

and pump out a few push-ups or 

core exercises. Wear a pedometer, 

and increase your steps gradually 

until you average 10,000 or more 

steps a day.

Something from their menu...

Panko Chicken

4 skinless boneless chicken breast halves

1 large egg

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh Italian 

parsley

2 teaspoons plus 2 tablespoons Dijon 

mustard

1 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 cup low-salt chicken broth

3 tablespoons maple syrup

2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon coarsegrained mustard

1 tablespoon chilled unsalted butter

Using meat mallet or rolling pin, 

pound chicken (in plastic bag or 

between sheets of wax paper) to 

1/2-inch thickness. Whisk egg, 

parsley, and 2 teaspoons Dijon 

mustard in large bowl. Place 

chicken in egg mixture; turn to 

coat. Sprinkle chicken with salt 

and pepper. Dip each chicken 

piece in panko; turn to coat. Heat 

oil in large nonstick skillet over 

medium-high heat. Add chicken; 

cook until brown and cooked 

through, about 4 minutes 

per side.

Meanwhile, whisk broth, syrup, 

coarse-grained mustard, and 

remaining 2 tablespoons Dijon 

mustard in glass measuring cup.

Transfer chicken to plates. Add 

broth mixture to skillet; boil 

until reduced to 3/4 cup, stirring 

occasionally, about 4 minutes. Add 

butter; whisk until melted. Spoon 

sauce alongside chicken.

For all those espresso enthusiasts 

and soup and sandwich aficionados, 

the vacancy left by William III’s departure from Building C has been filled 

by the USU Café operator, JGB Café & 

Catering, with their new and soon-tobe-named kiosk. 

Over the past several months, 

JGB has implemented renovations 

and upgrades, after USU support staff 

made needed improvements to the 

power and plumbing infrastructure 

of the kiosk area. 

“All of us at JGB are thrilled to 

have the kiosk up and running and 

are looking forward to continuing 

to expand our offerings there,” said 

Kathryn Troutman, on-site manager 

for JGB. The new location offers an 

extensive line of coffees, including 

varietals from all over the world and 

flavored coffees, teas, espresso beverages and chai lattes in addition to a 

full line of made-to-order sandwiches, 

fruit salad and parfaits, and a daily 

soup offering. Future offerings will 

include fruit smoothies and protein 

shakes. They are already accepting 

credit cards at this site. 

“Opening the kiosk is just our latest 

effort to please our customers. We 

believe in continuous improvement and 

hope to have something for everyone,” 

said Troutman. “My wish for the new 

year is for our team to really become 

part of the community at USU and to 

truly get to know our customers so we 

can better address their needs.”

From addressing special needs diets 

by offering gluten-free and diabeticfriendly offerings, to acquiring a second 

espresso machine for the cafeteria, to 

continually expanding healthy offerings, the JGB staff invites new ways for 

improving health, variety and quality of 

the selections on the menu.

Kiosk hours of operation are 6:30am 

to 3:30pm.
6 the pulse January 31, 2011

The Pulse Spotlight: 

Name: 

Diann Richko

Duty title: 

Program Support Specialist, Department 

of Graduate Medical Education

How long have you worked at USU?

5 1/2 years

Pharmacology 

researcher awarded 

foundation grant

Photo by Ken Frager

Dr. Fereshteh Nugent, an assistant 

professor in the Uniformed Services 

University of the Health Sciences 

Pharmacology department, was 

recently awarded a Whitehall Foundation grant-in-aid for her work entitled 

“Spike Timing-Dependent Plasticity of 

Inhibitory Synapses in the VTA.

“The $30K grant, while relatively 

small, is a significant achievement for a 

new researcher, as it can help to build a 

foundation for future research funding,” 

said Susan Rasmussen, Ph.D., director, 

Office of Program Development. Nugent 

has been on staff at USU since 2009.

According to Nugent, “Synaptic 

plasticity plays a role in memory and 

function, both positive and negative, 

and are important in the study of 

addictions and depression.”

The Whitehall Foundation grant-inaid emphasizes the support of young 

scientists at the beginning of their 

careers and productive senior scientists who wish to move into new fields 

of interest. Grants are presented three 

times a year for a one-year period and do 

not exceed $30,000. All applications are 

judged on scientific merit and innovative 

aspects of the proposal, as well as on past 

performance and evidence of the applicant’s continued productivity.

Distinguished Alumnus speaks with 

students, faculty

Photo by Thomas Balfour

Photo by Thomas Balfour

Army Brig. Gen. (Dr.) Joseph Caravalho, speaks with Dr. Charles L. Rice, USU President, 

and School of Medicine Dean Larry Laughlin, during his recent visit back to the University. 

Caravalho, a 1983 USU graduate, is the commanding general of the Brooke Army Medical 

Center/Southern Regional Medical Command, at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He returned to the 

campus to address first- and second-year medical students, reflecting on his time as a student, 

his career, and on the opportunities that may be available to the students post-graduation. 

What brought you to USU?

I relocated within my research grant to a 

position here at USU. 

What is your favorite part of 

USU? All the staff. I have never worked 

anywhere where everyone is so helpful, 

friendly and there is great morale! USU is 

definitely a family. 

What advice would you pass on 

to people new to USU?

Take advantage of all the courses offered, 

even if it has nothing to do with your 

job, but maybe with your own personal 

interests. There is so much offered to gain 

exposure to and to learn! 

Editor’s Note: If you know a hardworking under-recognized person in 

your department, submit their name and 

contact information, and they might be 

selected for the Pulse Spotlight. Please 

submit all nominees to usunewsletter@

usuhs.mil. Nomination is not a guarantee 

for publication.

by Ken Frager
The Official USU Newsletter 7

Briefs

Dining In

Find out who is going to the grog this 

year at the USU 2011 Dining In. 

Dust off your mess dress and join the 

party from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday 

March 5. 

Tickets for the Dining In will go on 

sale beginning Jan. 31. 

Look for more information as it becomes available. 

Award nominations due

The award nomination packages for 

the upcoming Leonard and Wu Awards 

for Excellence in Research must be 

submitted by Jan. 31, 2011. 

The Wu award is for excellence in the 

Basic Sciences and the Leonard award is 

for excellence in the Translational and 

Clinical Sciences.

Nominees must be either a member 

of the full-time faculty or an AFRRI 

scientist at USU. 

The award recipients will present 

their award lectures during the University’s Research Week. Each recipient 

will also receive a memento and a cash 

award of $2,500. 

For more information about requirements in submitting a Leonard and Wu 

award package, contact Susan Rasmussen, Ph.D., at (301) 295-3303 or by 

e-mail at srasmussen@usuhs.mil. 

Inclement weather policy

During the upcoming winter season, weather conditions may impact 

on the University’s operating status.

If the USU operating status 

changes, it will be updated immediately on the University’s homepage, 

www.usuhs.mil.

Additionally, a broadcast to the 

USU community via email and recorded phone message will be available.

To access the phone message, call 

(301) 295-3039.

In some cases, USU’s status will 

be made available via local news and 

radio stations. However, all USU 

students, staff and faculty are encouraged to check the University’s Web 

site regularly. 

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. 

ESC meetings

The Enlisted Social Committee 

holds its monthly meetings on the 

first Tuesday of every month.

Meetings are held at 9:30 a.m. in 

the cafeteria’s small dining room.

Being a part of the ESC is an excellent way for USU enlisted personnel 

to actively pursue volunteer opportunities at USU.

50th Anniversary Web site 

The Armed Forces Radiobiology 

Research Institute will be launching 

a new Web site to help celebrate the 

institute’s 50th Anniversary. 

The Web site is scheduled to 

launch this year and highlights 

AFRRI’s rich history and heritage. It 

also provides users with the opportunity to learn more about the unique 

mission at AFRRI. 

SME List

The Office of External Affairs at 

USU continues to update the university’s Subject Matter Experts 

list and we are seeking your assistance. Faculty and staff are encouraged to take a few minutes to 

complete the short form at http://

www.usuhs.mil/vpe/vpesme.html 

so we can be sure you are included and that your information 

is correct. You can be as specific 

as you would like within the topic 

areas. If you are unsure whether 

you are already included in the 

database you can check on the 

USU public web site http://www.

usuhs.mil/vpe/ususubjectmatterexperts.html. Thank you for your 

assistance. If you have questions 

or need additional space please 

contact Ken Frager (kenneth.

frager@usuhs.mil) directly with 

any details or concerns.

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 301-295-9800, 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 301-295-9870.

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 testing 

dates or times.