VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5 VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5 WWW.USUHS.MIL March 27, 2009 March 27, 2009

USU Newsletter 
Bill Bester 

 Acting Vice President for 

External Affairs and 

Managing Editor 

 

Ken Frager

Public Affairs Specialist 

Christine Creenan 

MC2 Chad Hallford 

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 and 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: 

Christine Creenan 

In This Issue 

Educator Awards............2 

Dr. Holloway....................2 

Women’s History.............3 

IT Security..........................3 

Special Guests..................3 

Dr. Macri...........................4 

Students Help Needy.....4 

Jr./Sr. Emp of Quarter...5 

Holocaust Awareness...5 

Staff Profile........................6 

Crossword Puzzle............6 

Share Your Story..............7 

Save the Date...................7 

 

 In recognition of the unique 

talent among USU faculty members, the Graduate School of Nursing (GSN) awarded annual Clinical 

Educator Awards to Maj. Kelly 

Nader, Carlton Brown, M.D., and 

Maj. Ricky Norwood for leading 

the way in academic excellence. 

 Nader is recognized for an eagerness to share knowledge and 

for her dedication to the field of 

nursing. She provided students in 

the Perioperative Clinical Nurse 

Specialist Program many opportunities to engage in dynamic learning experiences at Malcolm Grow 

Medical Center, Andrews Air 

Force Base, Md. 

 Across the campus, at the National Naval Medical Center, Dr. 

Brown is also commended for 

upholding high standards in 

health sciences education. Said to 

“epitomize the meaning of clinical 

excellence,” Dr. Brown earned the 

respect of students in the Nurse 

Anesthesia 

Program for 

his ability to 

synthesize the 

latest anesthesia research 

into practical 

clinical language. 

 Norwood, 

the third recipient of this 

prestigious 

honor, guided 

and supported 

students in the 

Family Nurse 

Practitioner 

Program at 

Kimbrough 

Ambulatory 

Care Center, 

Ft. Meade, Md. 

The GSN alum and mentor provided one-on-one teaching experiences, tailoring lessons to meet 

the needs of individual students. 

 The Clinical Educator Awards 

Program was developed by the 

USU Faculty Senate so deans from 

the School of Medicine and 

Graduate School of Nursing could 

recognize clinical preceptors who 

make significant contributions to 

the education of USU students. 

GSN Presents Clinical Educator Awards to Outstanding Faculty 

By Christine Creenan 

VPE Staff Writer 

Courtesy Photo 

Lt. Col. Adrienne Hartgerink, director, Nurse Anesthesia Program, and COL Bruce Schoneboom, associate 

dean for academic affairs, presented Carlton Brown, 

M.D., adjunct professor, with a Clinical Educator 

Award for leading the way in academic excellence. 

The awardees each received a $2,000 stipend to be 

used for travel to continuing education activities. 

 Dr. Harry C. Holloway, professor of Psychiatry and 

Neuroscience, has been named to the External Advisory Council for the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI). 

 The NSBRI, funded by NASA, is a consortium of 

institutions studying the health risks related to longduration spaceflight. The Institute’s External Advisory Council is composed of leaders in research fields 

central to the Institute’s mission and advises management on strategic issues and programmatic effectiveness. 

 During his 50-year career, Holloway has been a 

pioneer in research on how humans adapt to extreme environments. He has an extensive resume 

with the U.S. Army and has been a leader in the 

country’s human spaceflight program, which includes serving as NASA’s first associate administrator 

for the Office of Life and Microgravity Sciences and 

Applications from 1993 to 1996. 

 “Dr. Holloway’s impressive research and leadership experience concerning human adaptation to 

extreme environments will be beneficial to our efforts to protect astronaut health and improve health 

care on Earth,” said Dr. Jeffrey P. Sutton, NSBRI director. 

 After graduating from the University of Oklahoma School of Medicine, Holloway served in the 

U.S. Army Medical Corps for 30 years. During that 

time, he served as chief of neuropsychiatry at SEATO 

Medical Research Laboratory in Bangkok, Thailand, 

as the director of neuropsychiatry at Walter Reed 

Army Institute of Research in Silver Spring, Md., and 

as chairman of the Department of Psychiatry at USU. 

Before joining NASA, he served as deputy dean and 

acting dean of the School of Medicine at USU. 

 His other activities with NASA included a term as 

chairman of the Aerospace Medicine Advisory Committee and as a member of the U.S./U.S.S.R. Joint 

Working Group on Space Biology and Medicine. He 

was also the co-director of the NASA Enterprise for 

the Human Exploration and Development of Space. 

 Holloway has authored numerous articles and 

major reports and has received many awards, including NASA’s medals for Distinguished Service, 

Leadership and Public Service. He is a Life Fellow of 

the American Psychiatric Association and has received the organization’s Distinguished Psychiatrist 

Award. 

 NSBRI is a NASA-funded consortium of institutions studying the health risks related to longduration spaceflight and developing countermeasures to mitigate the risks. The Institute’s science, 

technology and education projects take place at 

more than 60 institutions across the United States. 

 NSBRI projects address space health concerns, 

which include bone and muscle loss, cardiovascular 

changes, radiation exposure, neurobehavioral and 

psychosocial factors, remote medical care and research, and habitability and performance issues such 

as sleep cycles and lunar dust exposure. Research 

findings also impact the understanding and treatment of similar medical conditions experienced on 

Earth. 

USU Professor Named to NSBRI External Advisory Council 

By Ken Frager 

Public Affairs Specialist 
PAGE 3 

 During the month of March, by presidential proclamation, USU 

heard the call “to honor the history, accomplishments and contributions of American women.” 

 CDR Gina Trotter, USU brigade executive officer, served as 

guest speaker for USU’s observance of Women’s History Month, 

offering highlights from President Obama’s proclamation, and 

celebrated military and federal government milestones women 

have written on the pages of history. 

 “President Barack Obama identified five outstanding women 

that have made significant contributions—keeping in mind the 

2009 theme ‘Women Taking the Lead to Save our Planet.’ These 

five women accomplished significant achievements and reached 

major milestones, which we celebrate,” said Trotter. 

 Like President Obama, Trotter praised Ellen Swallow Richards 

(first woman graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology), 

Maria Sanford (worked to protect the forestland of the Mississippi 

River), Marjory Stoneman Douglas (worked to protect and restore 

the Florida Everglades), Rachel Carson (exposed pesticide dangers 

to environment and public health) and Grace Thorpe (organized 

Native American campaign against storage of nuclear waste on 

reservation land), for their efforts to protect the environment for 

present and future generations. 

 In her discussion, Trotter also highlighted events from the creation of the Army Nurse Corps (1901), to the implementation of the 

Federal Women’s Program (1968), to the 

first female military 

officer promoted to 

four-stars, General 

Ann Dunwoody 

(2008) and other notable successes for 

women throughout 

history. 

 Speaking on the 

active embodiment of 

this year’s theme, Trotter said, “Because we 

are a medical and 

nursing school, we 

naturally produce scientists and researchers. I think the fact 

that our faculty, staff 

and students are actively involved in educational and research 

pursuits in the scientific community— will 

lead to us improving 

our planet.” 

Women’s History Month 

By MC2 Chad Hallford 

VPE Staff Writer 

CDR Gina Trotter was the keynote 

speaker during the Women’s History 

Month celebration. 

Photo by HM2 Michael Oliver 

 Technology Watch is a new feature for USU employees that 

highlights how DoD agencies and other academic institutions 

have been impacted by vulnerabilities in IT security. 

 Ever wonder if your actions on the internet, or the activities you 

may pursue on DoD-networked computers weakens the security 

of the USU campus? Mr. Joel Robertson, training coordinator and 

Information Technologies (IT) security expert, advises how university personnel can be more IT security savvy. 

 “There are a lot of emergent threats that are prevalent in the 

commercial industry. We also have to protect our data—it could be 

personal data, sensitive information such as personally identifiable 

information (PII), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability 

Act (HIPAA) information,” said Robertson. “It is very important to 

make sure that our networks are always available, always secure. 

The number one security violation on the campus network is application violations, and this is something that we are attempting 

to get under control,” said Robertson. 

 The DoD needs IT users to be aware of what applications are 

installed on systems, what updates keep vulnerabilities patched, 

ensuring programs have 

current licensing, and which 

programs can 

and can’t be 

installed on 

DoD systems. 

 “An example could be 

where an individual could 

bring personal 

software from home, or goes out and purchases a copy of a spyware removal software. This software has spyware embedded in it 

or could have malicious code that affects us in two ways,” said 

Roberston. “It may infect the system, and the system may go 

down, making services unavailable.” 

 Robertson advises to follow the security guidelines on the USU 

Information Awareness (IA) website or the DoD IA website 

(iase.disa.mil) to keep current on IA policies and practices. 

Technology Watch 

By MC2 Chad Hallford 

VPE Staff Writer 

Campus, Be Wary of Information Technology Security Vulnerabilities 

USU 

A Traditional Academic Health Center with a 

Unique Focus 
PAGE 4 

USU 

A Traditional Academic Health Center with a 

Unique Focus 

 Captain Cynthia Macri, M.D., vice president of Recruitment and 

Diversity at USU since 2002, has been named Diversity Special 

Assistant in the office of the Chief of Naval Operations, effective 

May 2009. CAPT Macri’s entire military career, spanning more 

than 20 years, has been devoted to education at the graduate, 

undergraduate and post-graduate levels. 

 “We are grateful for the work CAPT Macri has done to help us 

increase the number of under-represented minority students and 

faculty at USU,” said USU president Charles 

Rice. “Her new assignment is a reflection of 

her accomplishments and we congratulate 

her on her future successes.” 

 Macri has received four personal awards 

during her career – the Navy and Marine 

Corps Achievement Medal, the Navy and 

Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and 

the Meritorious Service Medal (2) – all for 

her contributions to the education of medical department officers. 

USU Diversity Officer Receives New Assignment 

By Ken Frager 

Public Affairs Liaison 

 2nd Lt Daniel Adams was excited to visit the Dominican Republic. But not for its lush mountains and pristine beaches. The earnest medical student would spend his vacation providing free 

medical care to underserved populations. 

 Traveling beyond 

the orange groves 

and coffee plantations, Adams was 

far removed from 

the tourist enclaves, 

spending the first 

three days in Hato 

Mayor. In this small 

farming town, abject poverty is rife 

and illness often 

goes untreated. 

 With the hopes 

of providing even 

modest relief, Adams, and several 

volunteers from his 

church and medical 

school, would set 

up shop in a provincial clinic nearby. 

Their suitcases—

filled with donated 

medications, vitamins, toothbrushes, 

and fluoride—

became mobile pharmacies. 

 “I was overwhelmed by the medical need. People walked miles 

to visit our clinic,” Adams recalled. “We saw everything from the 

common cold to tuberculosis and AIDS.” 

 Neither students nor the experienced physician-volunteers 

could heal all of the maladies; much of what they encountered 

was beyond their scope of care. “Sometimes we just listened and 

provided vitamins, and in many cases, that was therapeutic,” Adams explained. “Still, it was difficult to face disease we knew we 

couldn’t treat.” 

 With their supplies in tow, the group continued on, traveling to 

remote communities 

known as bateyes, 

where Haitian refugees live and work. 

Precariously built 

shacks made of mud 

and split cane, sit 

among large dumpsites. Often, there is 

no running water, 

electricity or sewage 

systems—turning the 

camp sites into 

breeding grounds 

for disease. 

 Despite the austere circumstances, 

Adams and his classmates were ready 

for the challenge. 

“USU gives us the 

tools we need to 

practice good medicine in bad places,” 

he said. “We were 

even ready to have 

clinics in the field, 

the way the university teaches us.” 

 Adams has since 

returned and will soon graduate from medical school. He is eager 

to continue applying the tenets of military medicine, both in his 

career as a uniformed physician and through his passion to serve 

those in need. 

USU Students Go the Distance to Provide Medical Relief to those in Need 

By Christine Creenan 

VPE Staff Writer 

Courtesy Photo 

2nd Lt Daniel Adams and several volunteers from his church and medical school travelled 

to the Dominican Republic to provide free medical care to underserved populations. 

CAPT Cynthia Macri 
PAGE 5 

 When the question, “Who’s committed 

to excellence of service?” is asked at USU, 

the answer could be Ms. Ruth Sullivan and 

Ms. Cynthia Inal. Both recently earned distinction as USU Junior and Senior Employees of the Quarter, respectively. 

 ENS Iain Gould, deputy director of the 

Military Training Network (MTN), describes 

Sullivan as “the keystone of the MTN” and 

assures “the continuity afforded by her is 

integral in the MTN accomplishing its mission requirements.” 

 Gould further describes that Sullivan’s 

“efforts supported training of over 250,000 

military personnel in resuscitative medicine 

techniques and the realization of over $14 

million DoD cost avoidance in fiscal year 

2008.” 

 On being nominated Junior Employee 

of the Quarter, Sullivan said, “I’ve found 

that showing colleagues and superiors that 

I care and keeping a good attitude with 

regard to my work environment can help 

me build a good reputation that I can carry 

beyond the USU doors.” 

 The Senior Employee of the Quarter 

works across the campus at the Armed 

Forces Radiobiology Research Institute 

(AFRRI), pursuing the same level of service 

to the university community. 

 CAPT David Lesser, head of AFRRI research support group, boasts that Inal is 

“the consummate professional and team 

player” and notes her achievements in 

“AFRRI’s Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) 

program, in addition to her responsibilities 

as a research biologist, government purchase card holder and billing official for 

credit card accounts.” 

 Inal’s grass roots GLP program enables 

“AFRRI/USU to develop products and applications that require approval by the Food 

and Drug Administration. 

 Speaking on receiving the nomination, 

Inal said, “I am really honored. I appreciate 

that my supervisors value my work and I 

hope that I continue to deserve their good 

regard.”

 For their commitment to the university, 

the newest Junior and Senior Employees of 

the Quarter will receive $250 saving bonds 

and reserved parking spaces. 

Inal, Sullivan Earn Employee of the Quarter Accolades 

By MC2 Chad Hallford 

VPE Staff Writer 

Photo by HM2 Michael Oliver 

Ms. Angie Knappenberger, legislative fellow for Sen. Barbara Mikulski, looked on as USU President Charles Rice, M.D., and COL 

Bruce Schoneboom, associate 

dean for academic affairs, Graduate School of Nursing, discussed 

the university’s newest addition, 

Building E. Among the attending 

guests, Mr. Frank Cristinzio 

(left), legislative assistant to 

Senator Mikulski and Mr. Joseph 

Mastrangelo, legislative fellow 

for Sen. Benjamin Cardin, visited 

the university in February to 

learn about USU and its plans for 

the future. 

Special Visitors 

Town Hall Meeting 

Faculty, staff and students convened for a Town Hall Meeting, hosted by USU President Charles Rice, M.D. Among the 

topics of discussion, the status of faculty salary increases; 

participation in Faculty Forward, an alliance for advancing 

the academic medicine workplace; and the possibility of assuming responsibility for the USAF comprehensive dentistry program. President Rice also touched on university 

beautification projects and the potential for erecting a new 

building to address the needs of a growing academic health 

center. 

Photo by HM2 Michael Oliver 
PAGE 6 

 Wesley Summers has lived in Frederick, 

Maryland his entire life. In fact, the home 

he owns now is just a few miles from the 

house he grew up in. It’s a nice escape 

from the hubbub that surrounds USU, 

where he works as an IT specialist. Sure the 

commute is long, but worth the travel time, 

according to Summers. Nestled in the foothills of the Catoctin Mountains, his property 

stretches across more than seven acres, 

which is the perfect setting for a budding 

artist. Summers draws inspiration from the 

world around him, seeing beauty even in 

decaying pieces of wood, which fits well 

with Summers who, in addition to solving 

the computer woes of university personnel, 

is also a part-time sculptor. 

 Summers says his affection for artistry 

was realized almost as soon as he could 

grip a crayon, but his talent for wood carving was born from chance several years 

ago. Gypsy moths infected nearly a dozen 

trees in his backyard. Rather than chop and 

toss the wood, Summers dusted off his 

chainsaw and chisels and turned the century-old cedars and oaks into works of art. 

 “I always wanted to create large sculptures and now I had material to work with,” 

he said. Heavy, obtuse logs became expertly-designed carvings. Take for example, 

the 600-pound statue that is the centerpiece of his front yard. With steady hands 

and keen eyes, Summers carved deep 

gouges and made decorative cuts until 

from the wood, a bird of prey emerged. 

Several other statues fill his backyard and 

decorate the region, including a four-foot 

ballet slipper that graces the courtyard of 

the Mid-Maryland Centre of Performing 

Arts. 

 Summers admits carving is often a study 

in patience. “Some of the statues take a 

week to complete and others may take up 

to a year,” he said. But time is on the side 

of a chain saw artist who enjoys expressing 

himself through the medium in his backyard. 

Wesley Summers: The Backyard Artist 

By Christine Creenan 

VPE Staff Writer 

In addition to working at the university, 

Wesley Summers is a chainsaw artist who 

enjoys carving statues from wood. 

Courtesy Photo 

How much do you know about the university? The first person to correctly 

fill in the answers and bring their completed puzzle to a Newsletter staffer in 

B1009, receives a gift certificate for a 

free small coffee and donut courtesy of 

William III. 

Test Your Knowledge 

www.williamiii.com 
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. 

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

for all services is projected for April 7-9 and 14-16. Plan accordingly. If there are any questions, please contact your service specific fitness coordinators: Air Force contact TSgt Ernle at 295-3281; 

Navy contact FC1 Race at 295-9637; and Army contact SSG 

Rogers at 295-3720. 

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. Another option for indoor PT on base is 

the Comfort Zone Complex (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 is an important 

lesson in medical history that 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 for backpacks and it is preferable that all 

who attend this function wear only black backpacks. 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 over 145 uniformed personnel (not including evaluators) needed to support this mission. 

Proper Use of Computer Resources: Security incidents continue to 

be a drain to limited USU Information Assurance (IA) 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. 

Tom's Run 2009: Tom’s Run is a 200-mile Ultra Distance Team or 

Solo Trail Run from Cumberland to Bethesda. The event takes 

place this year on May 28-30. The course ends on the USU Quadrangle. Staggered start means all teams or solo runners compete 

equally. This is an excellent team building event. All runners must 

be shadowed by a mountain biker, which means almost anyone 

can compete in this event. For more information call Mr. Ray Handel at 295-3949. 

Navy Enlisted Service Record (ESR) Accounts: All enlisted Sailors 

must be registered and have an account setup on NSIPS for their 

ESR’s by April 5. To gain access to the ESR, all enlisted Sailors must 

go to : https://nsipsweb.nmci.navy.mil/psc/

NEDB_SAAREMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/N_ERM_SAAR_MNU 

Distinguished Visitor: Air Force Brigadier General Michael J. 

Yaszemski, M.D., Ph.D., will be giving a talk entitled, “Novel Treatments for Wounded Warrior Care: The Armed Forces Institute of 

Regenerative Medicine (AFIRM)” at 4 p.m. in Lecture Room C on 

March 24. All are invited and encouraged to attend. 

Service Member of the Quarter: SMOQ nominations are due 

through the chain of command to the senior enlisted leader by 

COB on April 3. The SMOQ board will be held on Apr 10. The 

SMOQ will receive a reserved parking space, a 72-hour liberty 

pass, a certificate of appreciation, and the ability to compete for 

the Service Member of the Year. For more info please contact the 

service advisors. 

PAGE 7 

USU Briefs 

Photo by Richard Termine 

USU Hosts Sesame Workshop Screening 

USU, in partnership with Maryland Public Television, will present a 

special screening of “Coming Home: Military Families Cope with 

Change.” The program, hosted by Queen Latifah, John Mayer and Sesame Street’s Elmo and Rosita, looks at the challenges faced by injured 

soldiers and their families. USU professor, Stephen Cozza, M.D., is 

featured in the program and played an integral part in its development. 

When: March 30, 2009 

6-7 p.m. Reception and Briefing 

7-7:30 p.m. Screening 

7:30-8 p.m. Questions and Answers 

Where: Sanford Auditorium 

RSVP to Ken Frager at (301) 295-3981 or 

www.usuhs.mil/vpe/rsvpevents.html 
UNIFORMED SERVICES UNIVERSITY 

of the Health Sciences