VOLUME 4, ISSUE 6 VOLUME 4, ISSUE 6 WWW.USUHS.MIL April 15, 2009 April 15, 2009

USU Newsletter 
Bill Bester 

 Acting Vice President for 

External Affairs and 

Managing Editor 

 

Ken Frager

Public Affairs Specialist 

Christine Creenan 

MC2 Chad Hallford 

André Nicholson 

Staff Writers 

 

Marla Wright 

Shaun Sadowski 

Webmasters 

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 bi-weekly 

on Mondays. The deadline for submission is 

Friday at 4 p.m. Submissions can be sent to 

usunewsletter@usuhs.mil or by 

calling 301-295-3338. 

PAGE 2 

Cover photo: 

Courtesy of Defense 

Equal Opportunity 

Management Institute 

In This Issue 

Wu & Leonard Awards.2 

Holocaust Awareness...2 

Special Pre-Screening....3 

Musical Visitors................3 

Sophocles..........................4 

Technology Watch.........4 

SOM Volunteers..............5 

Soccer Trophy..................5 

USUCHD............................6 

Word Find.........................6 

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

In Memoriam....................7 

Packard Lecture...............7 

Courtesy of the National Archives 

It is a time for recollection as 

people across the nation commemorate the victims of the 

Holocaust through Days of Remembrance, April 19-26. Nobel 

laureate and holocaust survivor 

Elie Wiesel said, “The essence of 

this tragedy is that it can never 

be conveyed.” But, honoring the 

lives of those who suffered under the Nazi regime remains an 

important part of our social conscience and assures similar carnage will never again be a part 

of world history. 

 Drs. Alison O’Brien and Thomas 

Darling have been selected as the 

recipients of the prestigious Henry 

Wu Award for Excellence in Basic 

Research and the James Leonard 

Award for Excellence in Clinical 

Research, respectively. 

 The Wu and Leonard awards, 

established by the Faculty Senate, 

recognize individuals who have 

made unique and fundamental 

contributions to the fields of medicine and biology through published works. The peer-selected 

winners will receive a 

$2,000 prize and 

deliver special award 

lectures during the 

University’s annual 

Research Week in 

honor of the award 

namesakes. 

 A professor and 

chair in the Department of Microbiology 

and Immunology, Dr. 

O’Brien has spent 

nearly two decades 

researching a strain 

of bacteria called 

enterohemorrhagic 

E. coli. Along with a 

team of USU investigators, she is developing new technologies to identify, prevent and 

treat this food-borne pathogen. 

Her award-winning paper was 

published in the Proceedings of 

the National Academy of Sciences. 

 “I am particularly honored to 

receive this award in Dr. Wu’s 

name,” said O’Brien, who fondly 

remembers the former professor 

and chair. “He was an incredibly 

bright scientist and a really kind 

and generous man.” 

 Dr. Darling, associate professor 

in the Department of Dermatology, 

is equally humbled to receive an 

award in honor of one of USU’s 

celebrated scientists, Dr. James 

Leonard — the founding chair of 

the Department of Medicine. Darling credits much of his research 

success to an outstanding team of 

investigators. Dr. Darling received 

the Leonard Award for a paper, 

also published in the Proceedings 

of the National Academy of Sciences, describing the effects of 

tuberous sclerosis complex, or TSC, 

an inherited syndrome often causing tumors. 

 “The skin provides a window 

into many internal diseases. For 

example, TSC is commonly diagnosed based on the skin findings. 

Despite this, much more was 

known about internal tumors than 

skin tumors. I felt we could help 

patients with their skin disease and 

our findings could also propel investigations into the internal tumors,” Dr. Darling said. 

 To learn more about how these 

investigators are mobilizing science 

to improve health outcomes, attend this year’s Research Week Wu 

and Leonard Symposia, May 11-13. 

Professors receive 2009 Wu, Leonard 

awards for excellence in research 

By Christine Creenan 

Staff Writer 

Dr. Alison O’Brien is the recipient of the 2009 

Henry Wu Award for Excellence in Basic Research. 

Dr. Thomas Darling is the recipient 

of the 2009 James Leonard Award 

for Excellence in Clinical Research. 

Days of 

Remembrance 

Photo by Tom Balfour 

Photo by Tom Balfour 
PAGE 3 

 The USU community understands the extraordinary circumstances faced by military families and how these challenges are 

compounded when the Nation is at war. Since young children of 

service members have special needs, the university partnered with 

Sesame Workshop and Maryland Public Television to host a special pre-screening of “Coming Home: Military Families Cope with 

Change” March 30. 

 The program, starring Queen Latifah, John Mayer and Sesame 

Street’s Elmo and Rosita, tells the story of service members returning from battle with injuries both visible and hidden. The 

wounded warriors in the film are working toward recovery. They 

are involving the entire family in the healing process, because as 

one of the soldiers said, “This particular fight, you can’t do alone.” 

 Watching the families pull through together, an audience of 

nearly 200 gathered in the Sanford Auditorium to receive a candid glimpse into the lives of the true American heroes featured in 

the special. An emotional tone was set from the very beginning 

of the television special 

when a young voice is 

heard saying, “I took my 

first steps the same day as 

my daddy.” 

 While family support is 

an integral part of the 

recovery process, discovering a “new normal” also 

requires a great deal of 

support from the community, according to Dr. 

Stephen Cozza, professor, 

Department of Psychiatry, 

and associate director of 

the Center for the Study 

of Traumatic Stress. Featured in the film, Dr. 

Cozza believes the Sesame program gives parents a medium to help 

discuss deployments with 

children. It also gives voice 

to the plight of the military 

family, allowing civilians to 

better understand their 

struggles. 

 “This program, reaching a national audience 

who may not otherwise be exposed to these types of injuries, 

hopefully will help to smooth the reintegration for returning service members back into communities,” he explained. 

 The half-hour special garnered positive reaction from many of 

the audience members, including USU alumnus and GSN assistant 

professor LTC Richard Prior. “What I found most striking was the 

strength these families had in dealing with adversity. Their collective desire to continue serving and transcending their wounds 

was very inspiring.” Having served two deployments, the father of 

two saluted the program for educating people about the sacrifices 

being made by military families. 

 “Coming Home: Military Families Cope with Change” is the 

second episode in a three-part series designed to foster positive 

communication. To learn more about Sesame Workshop visit 

www.sesameworkshop.org. 

Sesame Workshop screening draws positive acclaim 

By Christine Creenan 

Staff Writer 

Hundreds of guests filled the Sanford Auditorium to watch the 

special pre-screening of “Coming Home: Military Families Cope 

with Change.” 

Army Lt. Col. David Benedek visits 

with Elmo. The beloved Sesame 

Street character greeted guests before the screening of “Coming Home: 

Military Families Cope with Change.” 

Photo by Tom Balfour 

Photo by Tom Balfour 

Photo by HM2 Michael Oliver 

The Sound of Music 

The ordinary clamor of lunchtime in the cafeteria 

gave way to beautiful melodies performed by students from Staples Motley High School, April 9. 

Traveling all the way from Minnesota, more than 100 

students serenaded the people of USU through song 

and instrumentals. The group’s repertoire included 

a blend of classical and contemporary pieces. “I 

thought the performers were superb. It was really 

great the band chose our university,” said concertgoer Sandy Silvergeld, purchasing agent. The singers 

and musicians performed at various locations 

throughout the National Capital Region before heading to Chicago and then back home. 
PAGE 4 

 For those who think of Sophocles as 

only an ancient Greek playwright, four acclaimed actors raise the thought that 

maybe Sophocles was coping with and 

addressing issues that apply even more 

today than ever. 

 Bryan Doerries, the writer, founder and 

director of The Philoctetes Project: Theater 

of War, and his crew performed readings 

from Ajax and Philoctetes at USU April 2. 

The presentation led to discussions among 

faculty and students alike that were reminiscent of Ancient Greece but applicable 

for today’s medical student, especially those 

in uniform. 

 “I arrived here (at USU) through a series 

of connections over the last three years. I 

had been trying to find a military audience 

for these ancient Greek plays, Sophocles: 

Philoctetes and Ajax,” said Doerries. “In 

August 2008, (I) was given the opportunity 

to perform them for Marines in San Diego 

near Camp Pendleton, and that opened up 

the door for more military performances.” 

 In between performances, the actors 

were given the opportunity to reflect and 

comment on the various venues and atmospheres where they have read. 

 “I learned again that this material is very 

applicable to this community, and that the 

responses and insights that were expressed 

by the audience and in the discussion 

groups afterward showed me again how 

vital and how useful this project can be to 

starting dialogue,” said David Strathairn, 

best known for his Academy Award nominated portrayal of Edward R. Murrow in 

Good Night, and Good Luck, and performances in The Bourne Ultimatum and L.A. 

Confidential . “We’re certainly not experts, 

or trained in a particular (medical) discipline, but it starts the dialogue dealing with 

PTSD amongst the medical communities 

and support care professionals.” 

 Speaking specifically on Doerries’ modern adaptation, actor Michael Ealy said, “I 

think the adaptation is a way to kind of get 

to the meat of it, or basically to convey to 

this audience what Sophocles was trying to 

say. Even 2,500 years ago there was a 

stigma associated with war — war that ravaged the minds of soldiers. They didn’t 

have a diagnosis back then, but now that 

we are (understanding PTSD and other 

psychological conditions brought about 

during war), perhaps we can prevent the 

kinds of things that some of the people in 

these plays do with their own lives.” 

 Ealy also starred in the Showtime television series Sleeper Cell: American Terror, 

and has been featured in other film and 

television. 

 Doerries spoke about a performance at 

Weill Cornell Medical College, “I had a total 

revelation that an audience new to classics 

and to these ancient stories could teach me 

more about the plays than I knew myself. 

This opened the possibility that this could 

happen with a military audience — and I 

realized the plays were actually about veterans.” 

 With the assistance of Army Col. Charles 

Engel, M.D., assistant professor and assistant chair, Department of Psychiatry, the 

USU venue encouraged post-reading faculty discussions and student-group discussions. The afternoon discussion, led by 

Air Force Maj. Glenn Burns, M.D., assistant 

professor, Department of Military and 

Emergency Medicine; Lyuba Konopasek, 

M.D., associate professor of Pediatrics 

(Education) at Weill Cornell Medical College; and Doerries, examined relevance 

in the topics of violence, ethics and suicide 

that led to discussions about approaches 

to military medical treatment and 

education. 

 Doerries said, “Our hope is that the plays 

will help the medical audience gain some 

insight. Understanding they are told to be 

detached as they move into the clinical 

setting, but they have this foothold, this 

memory of a play, about a suffering man 

called Philoctetes.” 

 Doerries hopes this recollection enables 

students to find the right balance.

Sophocles: A modern look 

By MC2 Chad Hallford 

Staff Writer 

 As many of us try to 

assimilate into the twentyfirst century, we have a 

tendency to forget the 

lessons learned from history. As I look back on my 

younger years, growing 

up in my parents’ house, I 

was always told 

“Listen to what I have to 

say, learn from my mistakes so you don’t make 

the same ones.” 

 I still try to apply this 

philosophy to my life today. 

 Communications technology has shown an upward spike in 

the past several years with no downward trend in the foreseeable 

future. Take for example the ability to communicate on the World 

Wide Web through sites such as Facebook and MySpace. Both of 

these social networking websites have been featured in the news 

as a growing medium, especially for those ages 18 to 40. Between 

the two networking sites, there are more than 170 million active 

users. What does this mean? In some way, the owner of each account has probably placed information online identifying themselves, family members, friends, associated organizations and so 

on for the entire world to see. 

 One of our adversaries (al-Qaeda) has written that at least 80 

percent of intelligence needed to conduct operations against an 

opposing force can be obtained via open source. Open source 

consists of more than just print and broadcast news stories. Other 

avenues of open source intelligence can be, but are not limited to, 

observing routines, listening to conversations, dumpster diving, 

and even scouring blogs or networking Web sites. 

 Our personal information — as well as work, family and friends 

— is always in danger of being compromised if we do not keep it 

out of open source media. 

 No matter how knowledgeable you are about operations security, if you share your information with others not educated in 

OPSEC it can unintentionally pose a vulnerability to you. 

 As I was taught, I challenge you. Learn from other’s mistakes 

and don’t make the same ones. Before you divulge information in 

an open source forum, ask yourself the question “Who needs to 

know?” If the answer isn’t “the entire world,” then rethink the 

venue of communication and keep it away from the adversary. 

Technology Watch 

Operations Security Asks: Who needs to know? 

Commentary by Scott Carey 

Navy OPSEC Assessments Division Lead 

Graphic Illustration by Beth Vinson 
PAGE 5 

 Taking their education one-step farther, members of the Family 

Medicine Interest Group, or FMIG, spend their Saturday mornings 

tutoring Wheaton High School students in Advanced Placement, 

or AP, biology. 

 Providing the infrastructure for 

the program is the USU Center 

for Health Disparities. Currently 

consisting of eight dedicated 

medical students mentoring 37 

students enrolled in the Bio Sciences Academy at WHS, plans are 

underway for expansion into 

additional community schools. 

 The program’s ultimate goal is 

to encourage high school students to pursue their dreams of 

careers in the health sciences. At 

the same time, the USU participants hope to reinforce basic 

science concepts while providing 

motivation to strengthen the 

students’ excitement for learning. 

 “I learned about this tutoring 

opportunity from my wife, who is 

an AP biology teacher at Wheaton High School,” said Army 2nd 

Lt. Michal Sobieszczyk. “My immediate thought was that it 

would be a great opportunity to 

get out of our ‘medical school 

bubble,’ interact with students 

from the local community and make a difference in their learning.” 

 The FMIG volunteers feel tutoring is a rewarding experience 

and one that keeps them on their toes. 

 “Because all of the students at the Saturday sessions come voluntarily, they are very engaged and looking forward to learning,” 

continued Sobieszczyk. “But, it works both ways. They bring incredible energy and motivate us to come prepared to teach and 

answer questions.” 

 Second year medical student, Chris Premo, is finding the experience exciting as well as fun. 

 “I’ve enjoyed getting out of the classroom and into the community,” he said. “It is great working with motivated and ambitious 

students, being able to use what we have learned to help others 

and aide in their education.” 

 Wheaton High School sophomore, Patricia Nisa, believes the 

mentoring program is beneficial 

toward her goal of becoming a 

doctor. 

 “I think that the inspiration 

these USU students provide is a 

big gift,” she said. “I see that they 

have this passion in them for 

what they are doing and they 

share it with us.” 

 “They are providing a foundation to a further understanding of 

medicine. We get a broad idea of 

AP biology, with the medical students providing a more detailed 

understanding of what we are 

already learning,” said Henry 

Espinoza, a senior at Wheaton 

High School. 

 With an eye to the future, the 

education programs implemented 

by the CHD and supported by the 

FMIG will reach potentially large 

numbers of high school students. 

This exchange will encourage 

their continued studies toward careers as scientists and healthcare providers. 

 “With the help of the CHD we hope to continue doing this 

for years to come as an outlet for community service,” said 

Sobieszczyk. 

Students Helping Students — USU volunteers reach out to young scholars 

By Jan Clark 

Director, Government and Community Affairs 

Wheaton High School students, Patricia Nisa and Kenia Lobo 

receive instruction from Army 2nd Lt. Michal Sobieszczyk as 

part of an on-going mentoring program provided by USU and 

the Center for Human Disparities. 

Courtesy Photo 

Leg Up on the Competition 

Photo by MC2 Chad Hallford 

The "USU Docs" soccer team, 

sponsored and supported in part 

by the University, showcase the 

Montgomery Country CoRecreation League Championship 

Trophy for Fall '08. The USU 

brigade commander, Army Col. 

John Wempe, (top right) formally 

presented the award and took a 

moment to pose with the athletes, 

who beat their tournament 

competition. 
PAGE 6 

Find the hidden words and receive a gift certificate for a free 

large coffee and doughnut courtesy of William III. The first person to bring their completed 

word find to a Newsletter staffer 

in B1009 receives the prize. 

www.williamiii.com 

 The USU Center for Health Disparities 

Research and Education, or USUCHD, and 

the Steptoe Group, LLC, have entered into 

an agreement to research, develop and 

implement a culturally competent interdisciplinary educational training program for 

mental health providers and practitioners. 

 The program is designed for health providers with the expertise and capacity to 

deliver high-quality services that are patient-centered, evidence-based and address 

the mental health needs of vulnerable 

populations within the military community. 

 The partnership will address the lack of 

health care provider and practitioner training, educational resources, uniformity and 

systemic impediments. These differences in 

cultural, economic, familial and regional 

geographic challenges contribute to disparities in health and health care. This is 

generally applicable to mental health and 

mental health care issues found among 

military and veteran populations. 

 The Steptoe Group and USUCHD will 

work in concert with each other to research innovative solutions to the health 

care challenges facing the military and veteran provider and practitioner communities. This includes the ability of health care 

providers and practitioners to adequately 

screen, diagnose, treat and manage service members, service member’s families 

and veterans in a culturally competent and 

patient-centered manner when implementing evidence-based best practices. 

 This means managing and sharing information, delivering standardized and effective mental health provider and practitioner 

training throughout the military and veteran communities. The programs will include: DVD, web-based training, webbased certification, and train- the-trainer 

workshops. 

 The USUCHD specializes in systemically 

assessing reasons for health and health 

care disparities and expertise in developing 

and implementing educational initiatives 

that aim to teach providers the key tools 

and skills to deliver high quality care to 

diverse populations grounded in patient 

centered methodologies to significantly 

enhance health care education, research 

and practice. 

(Additional contributions to this story made 

by Newsletter staff.) 

USUCHD enters educational training partnership with Steptoe Group 

Submitted by USUCHD 
Helpdesk Closure: The UIS helpdesk is closed for training on 

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

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

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

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

295-9870. 

Personal Exercise/Fitness Areas: Physical Fitness training should 

be conducted in designated areas. The only authorized space for 

PT within the university is room G060. All other spaces within the 

university are not authorized for exercise or fitness, with the exception of the Student Community Lounge area during specified 

PFT testing dates/times. Indoor PT is also authorized on base at 

the Comfort Zone Complex, or CZC, in building 23. The CZC 

hours of operation are Monday – Friday from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. and 

on weekends and holidays from are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Antietam Road March: The annual Antietam Road March will take 

place on April 30 beginning at 7 a.m. This march allows students, 

faculty and staff the opportunity to witness the medical practices 

of the Civil War. Military faculty, staff and students are to adhere to 

their service specific uniform regulations and only backpacks are 

recommended. Further guidance will be disseminated as the date 

draws near. 

2009 Field Exercises: Operations Bushmaster and Kerkesner will 

be conducted from July 7-24 at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa. Advance personnel will deploy on July 7 and main body personnel 

will deploy on July 12. These exercises are unique to our university and require the support of all university uniformed personnel. 

Only emergency leave will be granted during this time frame as 

there are more than 145 uniformed personnel needed to support 

this mission. 

Proper Use of 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 

UIS; 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; permit unauthorized individuals access to a 

government-owned or government-operated system or program; 

access online gambling, games and social engineering sites. 

Brigade Awards Ceremony: The next USU Brigade Awards Ceremony will take place in Lecture Hall C on April 17 at 8 a.m. This 

ceremony will recognize the Enlisted Service Member of the Quarter, as well as other military personnel for their contributions to 

the organization. All department heads, chairs, supervisors and 

directors are encouraged to attend this special occasion to show 

their support. 

Military Awards Nominations: The next military awards panel will 

convene on April 28. Nomination packages are due through the 

chain of command by April 21. Please provide a signed copy as 

well as an electronic version to Air Force Tech. Sgt. Louella Campbell at (301) 295-1515 or lcampbell@usuhs.mil or HM2 Sylvia 

McBee at (301) 295-3423 or Sylviamcbee@usuhs.mil. 

2009 USU Commencement: The 2009 USU commencement ceremony will take place on Armed Forces Day, May 16 at 9 a.m. at 

the Daughters of the American Revolution Constitution Hall. 

There will be a rehearsal at the DAR Constitution Hall from 9 a.m. 

to noon May 15. The buses will depart from the USU flag pole at 8 

a.m. For directions, go to 

http://www.dar.org/omni/directions.cfm. 

The exact timetable for staff personnel will be sent out in the near 

future. HM1 Sara Lee is the non-commissioned officer in-charge 

for enlisted support and can be contacted at (301) 295-9556 or 

sale@usuhs.mil. You may also contact Jeffery Swope at 295-4796 

or jswope@usuhs.mil with additional questions. 

PAGE 7 

USU Briefs 

Courtesy of Classic Photography & Imaging 

In Memoriam 

ENS Christopher M. Gallagher 

School of Medicine, Class of 2009 

Navy Ens. Christopher M. 

Gallagher died as a result of 

a motorcycle accident 

April 3, 2009 in Norfolk, 

Va., at the age of 33. A member of the Class of 2009, he 

was a fourth year USU medical student scheduled to 

graduate in May. Immensely proud of his Navy 

heritage, Gallagher had long 

dreamt of becoming a uniformed physician and successfully overcame several 

hurdles to reach acceptance 

at USU. Friends recall his 

intellectual curiosity, proactive nature and comforting 

sense of presence. He is 

honored in loving memory. 
UNIFORMED SERVICES UNIVERSITY 

of the Health Sciences