Volume 5, Issue 7 n May 10, 2010

www.usuhs.mil

The Official USU Newsletter
2 The Pulse The Official USU Newsletter

On the cover

Army 2nd Lt. Robert Vietor speaks to a 

second grade class at Belmont Elementary 

School in Olney, Md., about the Food 

Pyramid and the importance of proper 

nutrition. See story on page 3.

USU holds third annual education day

By Ken Frager

Photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew Rosine

Sharon Willis

Acting 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

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.

The Uniformed Services University 

of the Health Sciences will hold its 

third annual Education Day, Friday, 

June 25, 2010. The theme, “Obstacles and Opportunities in Curricular Reform,” aligns closely with the 

University’s current efforts to evaluate 

and refine the medical school curriculum, and reinforces the objectives of 

continuing education for faculty, staff 

and students. 

The full-day program will include 

three keynote speakers and three 

small group discussions related to 

finding a unifying concept of curriculum to integrate and energize teaching, assessing teaching and learning 

in an integrated environment, and the 

changing role of medical students in 

medical treatment facilities.

Featured speakers include Molly 

Cooke, M.D. FACP, the William G. 

Irwin Endowed Chair and Director of 

the Haile T. Debas Academy of Medical 

Educators at the University of California, 

San Francisco. Dr. Cooke will present 

“Individualization, Integration, Innovation and Improvement, and Identity: 

Medical Education for a New Era.” 

“Preparing USU 

students for their role at 

Military Training Facilities” will be presented 

by George Weightman, 

M.D., Maj. Gen. (Ret.), 

USA, Associate Director, 

Chief Operating Officer 

and Professor, Institute for Regenerative 

Rehabilitation, Wake 

Forest University.

James G. Roudebush, 

M.D., M.P.H., Lt. Gen., 

USAF, (Ret.), who served 

as Air Force Surgeon 

General, will discuss 

“The Critical Intersection: Needs of the 

Services and Needs of 

the USU.”

“We are delighted to 

have these exceptional, 

nationally recognized 

experts,” said Professor of Family 

Medicine and Faculty Development Director Cindy Wilson, Ph.D., 

C.H.E.S. “Their expertise and understanding of the issues will be helpful 

during this critical time in our history 

as we seek to improve and to update 

our medical school curriculum.”

The panels, demonstration 

and posters promote continuing education of faculty, staff and 

students at USU, and to USU’s 

affiliated teaching institutions. 

The interdisciplinary discussion of 

innovative and effective strategies in 

health sciences education will help 

to facilitate transfer of strategies 

between and among basic science 

and clinical disciplines.

The event is sponsored by the 

University Faculty Senate and made 

possible by funding from the Henry M. 

Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine.

Details may be found at 

www.lrc.usuhs.mil/educationday2010/. 

Event concerns or questions may be 

directed to Dr. Cindy Wilson at educationday@lrcm.usuhs.mil.
May 10, 2010 3

Childhood Obesity: How can USU help?

By Army 2nd Lt. Robert Vietor and 2nd Lt. Nicole Miller, USU Family Medicine Interest Group 

USU has been making significant 

efforts to increase awareness of the 

childhood obesity problem and teach 

children and parents healthier practices. 

To help fight this concern, the 

Family Medicine Interest Group 

(FMIG) has a program entitled “Get 

Up, Get Out, Get Fit,” and has had 

enormous success educating children 

on the importance of fitness. “Fighting Childhood Obesity,” an elective 

for fourth-year medical students, has 

also taken off this past year.

Childhood obesity is a growing 

concern across the nation. But many 

people don’t really know what childhood obesity is and why it should be 

a concern. 

Childhood obesity is defined as a 

child’s weight being greater than the 

95th percentile according to their 

age- and gender-appropriate growth. 

An article published in January 

2010 of the Journal of the American 

Medical Association (JAMA) showed 

alarming rates of childhood obesity 

in the U.S. The article reported that 

between 2007 and 2008, 10 percent 

of infants and toddlers less than 

two years old were at or above the 

95th percentile. Also, 17 percent of 

2 to 19-year-olds were at or above 

the 95th percentile. And, almost 12 

percent of 2 to 19-year olds were 

above the 97th percentile. 

These numbers represent a significant health concern. Children who are 

obese are at risk for early diabetes, heart 

disease and even early death. 

Through the FMIG program, 

fourth-year medical students have 

visited local schools to educate and 

excite students about healthy eating 

and exercise.

In April, Army 2nd Lts. Robert 

Vietor and Nicole Miller visited Beverly 

Farms Elementary School in Potomac, 

Md., Belmont Elementary School in 

Olney, Md., and Ft. Belvoir Elementary 

School in Virginia. The visits included 

discussions with the children about 

the food pyramid, portion sizes, daily 

allotments of each food group and the 

importance of exercise. 

The key points being taught to the 

local youngsters were eating five fruits 

and vegetables each day, choosing 

milk over soda, completing more than 

one hour of exercise or play outdoors 

per day, and reducing screen time per 

day, covering television, computers 

and video games, to two hours. 

In addition, Lieutenants Vietor 

and Miller are making efforts to 

involve parents in their children’s 

health and fitness. 

These two USU students plan to 

attend PTA meetings to present a 

“summer fitness log” with incentives for exercise during summer 

vacation. They have submitted 

an article on childhood obesity 

and resources for parents to each 

school for publication in the school 

newsletters. 

While USU’s efforts have been 

very successful so far, more work can 

still be done. 

The FMIG is encouraging parents 

to educate their children. The group 

is highlighting the use of several Web 

sites, including www.mypyramid.gov 

or www.kidshealth.org, which are 

excellent resources for keeping 

children healthy and fit. 

Students and faculty can become 

involved with the FMIG or students can 

sign up for the fourth-year elective. 

“Let’s all do our part to keep children 

healthy and prevent early disease 

caused by childhood obesity,” said 

Lieutenant Miller. 

For more information, contact 

Lieutenants Vietor and Miller by 

e-mail at s10nmiller@usuhs.mil or 

s10rvietor@usuhs.mil.

Army 2nd Lt. Nicole Miller leads a class at Belmont Elementary School in an 

in-place run for one minute. Students learned about proper nutrition, proper daily 

food portions and the importance of regular exercise. The Family Medicine Interest 

Group program has had great success educating children on the importance of 

fitness and nutrition at multiple elementary schools in the area.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew Rosine
4 The Pulse The Official USU Newsletter

USU hosts medical fraternity visit 

Contributed by the U.S. Military Academy at West Point

NRC Commissioner tours AFRRI

Commissioner of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Kristine L. Svinicki is briefed by AFRRI Deputy Director COL Donald 

E. Hall, MS, USA (left foreground) and Stephen I. Miller, head of the AFRRI Radiation Sciences Department (far right), about the 

operation of the Mark-F TRIGA research reactor. The reactor, which is licensed by the NRC, is used in studies to determine the 

biological effects of ionizing radiation, knowledge that is essential to preserving the health and performance of U.S. military 

personnel and to protecting the public. Also from NRC and accompanying Svinicki on the tour of the defense research laboratory 

were (from left) Jeffry Sharkey and John Thomas. A nuclear engineer, Svinicki has worked at state and federal levels to address a 

wide range of issues involved in national security, science and technology, and energy and the environment. 

Photo by David. Morse, AFRRI

USU hosted more than 30 cadets 

from the U.S. Military Academy 

at West Point during their visit to 

medical facilities in Washington, D.C., 

and Bethesda, Md., recently. 

The 31 cadets were sponsored 

by the Academy’s Department of 

Chemistry and Life Science (D/C&LS) 

and the Phi Delta Epsilon International Medical Fraternity. Originally 

created in 1904, the medical fraternity 

is dedicated to creating physicians of 

integrity with a life-long commitment 

to the guiding principles of philanthropy, deity and education through 

fellowship, service, mentoring and 

formal training in leadership, science 

and ethics.

The West Point cadets’ annual visit 

was lead by First Cadet and Past President Savannah Willson, and current 

President Cadet Luis Rivas of the second 

class, who said they had an “outstanding 

and memorable experience.” 

During the first day of their visit, 

the cadets went to Walter Reed Army 

Medical Center where they had breakfast with the hospital commander, 

Army Col. Norvell Coots. Then, they 

spent the morning seeing patients 

with WRAMC doctors, followed by a 

tour of the hospital.

The next day, some cadets toured 

Georgetown University Medical School 

and others toured the National Naval 

Medical Center at Bethesda. 

The entire group visited the 

Uniformed Services University, and 

its National Capital Area Medical 

Simulation Center. Dr. Gil Muniz, the 

deputy director of the Sim Center met 

and spoke to the cadets. This facility 

has cutting-edge technology designed 

to train military medical students 

and resident physicians in basic and 

advanced medical techniques as well 

as immersion in a 3-D “holodeck” as 

combat medics. 

The cadets later met with USU’s 

Associate Dean for Admissions and 

Recruitment, Navy Capt. Margaret 

Calloway, along with five West Point 

graduates who are now USU students. 

They ate lunch with the USMA alumni 

attending the University, who shared 

their advice and mentorship to these 

aspiring doctors. 

Dr. Fred Pugh, the USMA associate 

dean, and D/C&LS faculty Cols. Andrew 

Friedman and Ronald Hann worked 

with Lenora Hamlett, the USU action 

officer, for the visit.

West Point chapter of Phi Delta Epsilon 

medical fraternity on the steps of the 

Uniformed Services University of the Health 

Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland.

Courtesy photo
May 10, 2010 5

Hartgerink takes part 

in White House events

Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Adrienne 

Hartgerink, CRNA, MSN, poses in 

front of the President of the United 

States lectern in the White House 

East Room. Hartgerink was one of 

a six-person delegation from the 

American Association of Nurse 

Anesthetists to visit the White 

House’s recent health reform event.

Courtesy photo

Photo by HM1 Michael Oliver

Ceremony welcomes new AFRRI director

By Frank Duffy

Colonel Mark A. Melanson, Medical 

Service Corps, U.S. Army, became the 

16th director of the Armed Forces 

Radiobiology Research Institute 

(AFRRI), in a ceremony held April 16. 

He succeeds Army Col. Dr. Patricia 

K. Lillis-Hearne, who had served as 

director since July 20, 2006. 

Colonel Melanson, the fourth 

physicist to become AFRRI director, 

was previously the chief of Health 

Physics at Walter Reed Army Medical 

Center and the leader of the elite U.S. 

Army Radiological Advisory Medical 

Team. He will continue to serve as the 

radiological hygiene consultant to the 

Army Surgeon General and the career 

field manager for the Army’s Nuclear 

Medical Science Officers— uniformed 

Army health physicists. 

Having earned his master’s and 

doctoral degrees in Radiation Health 

Science from Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Hygiene and 

Public Health, the colonel is recognized 

internationally as an expert in the area 

of radiation sciences and has served as 

a consultant to both the World Health 

Organization and the International 

Atomic Energy Agency. 

He also served as the U.S. member 

of the United Nations’ scientific experts 

team sent on three missions to the 

Balkans to assess the risks from NATO’s 

use of depleted uranium munitions. 

Among his many accomplishments, 

he is a recipient of the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with four Oak Leaf 

Clusters, the Army Commendation 

Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the 

Joint Service Achievement Medal, the 

Army Achievement Medal with Oak 

Leaf Cluster, the National Defense 

Service Medal with Star Device, the 

Kosovo Medal with Star Device, the 

Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the United Nations 

Yugoslavia Medal and the NATO 

Kosovo Medal. He also holds the Army 

Surgeon General’s “Alpha” proficiency 

designator and is a member of the 

Order of Military Medical Merit.

Army Col. Mark A. Melanson, Medical Service Corps, returns the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute flag to the keeper of the colors, 

Master Sgt. Larry Frady in ceremony, April 16. Colonel Melanson assumed the duties of director from Col. Patricia K. Lillis-Hearne (right), 

Medical Corps, U.S. Army. Dr. Charles L. Rice, M.D., (left) performing the duties of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, watches 

the exchange.
6 The Pulse The Official USU Newsletter

Former USU professor receives Ratschow medal

by Staff Sgt. Matthew Rosine 

A former USU professor of surgery 

at the F. Edward Hébert School of 

Medicine was recently awarded the 

2009 Max Ratschow Medal. 

Dr. J. Leonel Villavicencio, who 

served at USU for 23 years before 

retiring in 2005, received the award, 

which typically illustrates the life’s 

work and scientific contributions of 

an internationally renowned scientist, 

from the Curatorium Angiologiae 

Internationalis, an international body 

of specialists in vascular diseases.

The medal is given “to highly 

accomplished scientists who have 

dedicated their lives to the field of 

vascular diseases and have the international recognition of their peers.” 

Awardees are recognized during the 

Annual Congress of the Deutschen 

Gesellshaft of Phlebologie.

Villavicencio graduated Summa 

Cum Laude from the Military Medical 

School of Mexico in 1952. He went 

on to complete his surgical residency 

at the Military Central Hospital in 

Mexico City. Following a fellowship in vascular and cardiovascular 

surgery at St. Luke’s Presbyterian 

Hospital of the University of 

Illinois in Chicago, he received a 

fellowship to both the Peter Bent 

Brigham Hospital and Children’s 

Hospital Medical Center of Harvard 

University in Boston. 

As a fellow, Villavicencio 

researched the release of heparin by 

the mast cells under surgical stress; 

the mechanisms of fibrinolysis; and 

the use of human plasmin in the 

lysis of blood clots – both in clinical and experimental environments. 

He also studied the effects of extracorporeal circulation on the blood 

and did experimental studies on the 

prevention of peritoneal adhesions 

with the use of human fibrinolsin.

His research studies of open-heart 

surgery oxygenators proved to be a 

vital part of the development of the 

cardiac surgery program at West 

Roxbury VA Hospital in Boston.

Villavicencio returned to Mexico 

City in 1962 and became the chairman 

of the Department of Cardiovascular 

Surgery at the Central Military Hospital 

of Mexico and a professor of surgery at 

the Military Medical School of Mexico. 

He was also appointed director of the 

surgical research and vice-chair of the 

cardiovascular surgery department at 

the Children’s Hospital Medical Center 

in Mexico City.

Villavicencio is credited with the 

first successful pulmonary embolectomy with assisted circulation in 

Mexico; the first surgical procedure 

for reno-vascular hypertension in 

children; and the first operation for 

portal hypertension performed at the 

children’s hospital in Mexico City. 

He has been awarded the USU 

Outstanding Service Medal, 

membership to the prestigious 

Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical 

Society and an honorary appointment of Distinguished Emeritus 

Professor at USU.

USU faculty member and 

Family Health Center among 

top five in Navy Medicine

The University Family Health Center (UFHC) at 

USU and Air Force Col. (Dr.) Brian V. Reamy, Associate 

Dean for Faculty and Professor of Family Medicine, were 

recognized recently for achieving high patient satisfaction ratings, based on the most recent Bureau of Navy 

Medicine Patient Satisfaction survey. RADM Matthew 

Nathan, commander of the National Naval Medical 

Center, recognized Reamy and the UFHC on May 3 in a 

special ceremony where he presented Dr. Reamy with the 

Commander’s Coin.

Reamy was rated among the top five family practice 

physicians and the UFHC was among the top five family 

health centers across Navy Medicine.

“This recognition of Dr. Reamy by RADM Nathan 

offers an honest assessment of the role as an exceptional 

clinician, as a role model, and as a team leader,” said Larry 

W. Laughlin, M.D., Ph.D., Dean, F. Edward Hébert School 

of Medicine. “Congratulations to the entire UFHC team 

for a job well done - this recognition is richly deserved.” Courtesy NNMC Public Affairs
May 10, 2010 7

Briefs

Funding Applications: 

The USU Merit Review Committee is now accepting applications for 

the fiscal year 2011 USU Intramural 

Research Funding. 

Applications may be submitted 

for Pilot, Standard and Exploratory 

grant awards for funding. This will 

fund new or revised applications 

only. Competing continuations will 

not be considered at this time. These 

applications are for research in all 

areas basic, clinical and behavioral. 

Projects reviewed under this call 

will be evaluated for demonstrated 

relevance to military concerns and/or 

are specific to the USU mission.

Eligibility for funding from the University’s intramural program is restricted to 

billeted civilian and uniformed faculty 

members at USU with Full, Associate or 

Assistant Professor titles. 

Late applications will not be 

accepted and incomplete applications 

will not be reviewed.

Applications are due by June 18, 2010. 

Notification of the awards should be 

complete on or about October 1. 

Individuals applying for intramural 

funding, we will need a hard copy of the 

application with the original signatures 

by June 18, 2010.

Additionally, applications must be 

submitted electronically, as a Microsoft Word document, via email to 

srasmussen@usuhs.mil and vshaw@

usuhs.mil. Submissions must also 

include any additional materials 

useful to the Merit Review Committee 

in assessing the proposal. 

For further information contact 

either a grants specialist (Ms. Shaw or 

Ms. Gibbons) or Susan Rasmussen by 

phone at 295-3303.

Professional activities: 

The Department of Defense 

and USU policy requires that all 

employees, both military and civilian, receive approval for engaging 

in any activity outside their work 

environment, which involves their 

professional expertise or government 

occupation (whether or not 

compensated), as well as any activity that involves compensation. This 

includes serving on the Board of a 

Non-Federal Organization. 

This approval is required prior 

to engaging in the activity. In order 

to get approval, any employee can 

complete a USUHS Form 1004. This 

completed form must be approved 

and signed by each department chair 

or activity head. 

These forms are available in the 

General Counsel’s office or online at 

the USU OGC Web site. Completed 

forms must be turned in to the General 

Counsel’s office. The form will be 

routed to the appropriate dean, brigade 

commander or USU president.

Once processing is completed, a copy 

of the approved form will be returned to 

the employee for the employee’s records. 

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 selfcoded 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.

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 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.

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.

Faculty senate members 

needed:

The USU Faculty Senate is looking for 

faculty volunteers to fill upcoming faculty 

senate positions in the upcoming year. 

The Faculty Senate is a representative 

body providing the faculty a way to participate in the governance of the university. 

The senate is an advisor to the president of the university and may pass 

resolutions and recommendations on 

issues such as education, research and 

faculty welfare. 

The following positions will be open 

this coming year:

n Three positions representing the 

clinical department

n Four positions representing the 

basic science departments

n Secretary of the Faculty Senate 

n President Pro-tempore of the 

Faculty Senate. In accordance with 

the USU constitution, this year’s 

selection must be from the basic 

science department. 

The deadline for candidacy nomination is May 10 and elections will be 

held in June. 

Faculty interested in filling one of 

these positions should contact their 

current Faculty Senate representative or 

a member of the Elections and Nominations committee.