VOLUME 3, ISSUE 15 WWW.USUHS.MIL SEPT. 15, 2008 

USU Newsletter 

Presentation Assembly...Page 4 
Carol R. Scheman 

Vice President for 

External Affairs and 

Managing Editor 

Tech. Sgt. 

André Nicholson 

Editor 

Christine Creenan 

Staff Writer 

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 biweekly on Mondays 

and deadline for submission is Friday at 4 

p.m. Submissions can 

be sent to usunewsletter@usuhs.mil or by 

calling 301-295-3981. 

PAGE 2 

Cover photo by: 

 

Tom Balfour 

In This Issue: 

 

New BOR Members...2 

Education Day.............3 

Faculty Senate..............4 

Assembly........................4 

Alumni Visit...................4 

Staff Profile....................5 

Nurse Alumni...............5 

S2M2 Mentor................6 

SOM Alumni.................6 

USU Briefs.....................7 

Dates to Remember...7 

Secretary of Defense Appoints New 

Members to USU Board of Regents 

 Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates, announced 

the appointments of Dr. Ronald Blanck, Dr. Haile Debas, Dr. Michael Johns, Dr. Kenneth Moritsugu and 

Dr. Gail Wilensky, to serve as members of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences 

(USU) Board of Regents, Sept. 12, 2008. 

 Charles L. Rice, M.D., USU President, thanked the 

Secretary of Defense and extended the university's 

welcome to its five new Board members. 

 “I am deeply gratified by the appointment of these 

new members to the university's Board of Regents,” 

Dr. Rice said. “Each brings a wealth of experience in 

academic medicine and all have an extraordinary 

commitment to public service. I look forward to working with them and benefiting from their advice and 

guidance.” 

 Two of the new appointments are replacing Regents whose terms have expired. The departing 

members, Mr. Everett Alvarez, Jr. and Ms. Linda 

Stierle, were appointed by the President of the United 

States and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. 

 “We are grateful to Mr. Alvarez and Ms. Stierle for 

their years of dedicated service to the university,” Dr. 

Rice said. “Their guidance and wise counsel have 

seen the university evolve to its current position as a 

world leader in military and public health medicine. 

They have been a key force in helping shape the university and guiding it in establishing a flourishing 

Graduate School of Nursing.” 

 “The new members of the Board have significant 

and varied experience in academic medicine, government and public service and will play critical roles in 

guiding the university and the Department of Defense in the next era of military and public health 

medicine,” said Dr. S. Ward Casscells, assistant secretary of defense for health affairs. “Their advice to the 

university will be especially critical as the new Walter 

Reed National Military Medical Center is stood up on 

the Bethesda campus and as USU plays an increasingly important role in academic medicine and biomedical research as each relates to the needs and 

aspirations of the uniformed services.” 

Dr. Ronald Blanck, appointed as Chair of the Board 

 Dr. Blanck currently 

serves as Vice Chairman 

and partner of Martin, 

Blanck & Associates. Previously, Dr. Blanck served 

as President of the University of North Texas 

Health Science Center at 

Fort Worth from 2000 to 

2006 and remains a Professor in the Department 

of Internal Medicine. He 

was Surgeon General of 

the Army from 1996 to 

2000. Dr. Blanck received his BS from Juniata College (1963) and a DO 

from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (1967). He completed his internship at the Lancaster Osteopathic Hospital and his residency in internal medicine at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. 

Dr. Haile Debas 

 Dr. Debas is the 

Executive Director of 

Global Health Sciences 

at the University of 

California-San Francisco. He is also the 

Maurice Galante Distinguished Professor of 

Surgery and holds hospital appointments at 

the University of California Medical Center 

and the Mount Zion 

Medical Center. Dr. 

Debas was Dean of the UCSF Medical School and 

Interim Chancellor. He is a member of the National 

Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine. Dr. Debas 

received his BSc in Biology from Addis Ababa University College (1958) and an MD from McGill University 

(1963). 

Dr. Michael Johns 

 Dr. Johns is the Chancellor of Emory University, a 

position he has held since 

2007. Previously, Dr. Johns 

served Emory University as 

Chief Executive Officer of 

the Robert W. Woodruff 

Health Sciences Center, 

Executive Vice President for 

Health Affairs, Chairman of 

the Board of Emory Healthcare, and Professor in the 

Department of Otolaryngology. He was Dean of Johns Hopkins University 

School of Medicine and is a Member of the National 

Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine. He received his BS in Biology from Wayne State University 

(1964) and an MD from the University of Michigan 

Medical School (with distinction, 1969). 

Dr. Kenneth Moritsugu

 Dr. Moritsugu is currently 

Vice President, Global Strategic Affairs for LifeScan Inc., 

a Johnson & Johnson company, and Chairman, Johnson & Johnson Diabetes 

Institute. Prior to his current 

position, Dr. Moritsugu was 

the Acting Surgeon General 

of the United States from 

July 2006 to his retirement 

from the Commissioned 

Corps of the United States 

See BOR MEMBERS, Page 3 
 The Uniformed Services University of the 

Health Sciences (USU) celebrated the inauguration of “Education Day” Aug. 22. It’s 

debut theme: Best Practices in Health Sciences Education, was chosen to showcase 

the considerable experience of USU faculty 

in teaching learners across the spectrum of 

health sciences education. 

 More than 145 participants registered 

for the event, sponsored by the Faculty 

Senate and moderated by multidisciplinary 

teams. Audiences enjoyed the interactive, 

sequential sessions that covered topics 

such as, Teaching in a Small Group Setting, 

Operational Medicine, and Clinical Bedside 

Teaching, among others. 

 “The most important component of 

what we do here is the education of the 

next generation,” President Charles Rice, 

M.D., explained before adding, “To organize a session devoted to teaching and the 

joys of education is particularly important.” 

 Developing the forum was no easy task 

and facilitators debated the merits of bringing in guest speakers, but in the end, relied 

in large measure, on the expertise of USU 

faculty. 

 “We had stars in our own crowd,” said 

event coordinator, Dr. Cindy Wilson, Ph.D., 

professor and faculty development director 

in the Department of Family Medicine. “We 

have people in this faculty that are internationally and nationally known. They are 

invited and paid to teach at other places, 

because they are the experts. We decided 

what we wanted to do was showcase our 

own first.” 

 Speakers touched on the strengths of 

the university—the faculty’s unique ability 

to prepare students for the dual roles they 

will take on, both as medical professionals 

and military officers; while also noting challenges—the need to engage in small group 

teaching sessions, for instance. 

 According to Dr. Wilson, the forum was 

conceptualized to address a needs assessment she conducted some years back, as 

well as peering into the looking glass and 

realizing problem areas for educators. 

“Education Day” is a welcome beginning to 

improving an already stellar program. 

 The event, which culminated in a 

guided tour of the National Capital Area 

Simulation Center, was tremendously successful, and audiences and special guests 

alike, shared their enthusiasm. 

 “Congratulations on doing this. This is 

something that is not universally accomplished, at least in my experience at teaching institutions. I think as an opportunity to 

both have an interchange and an engagement, it is superb,” said Lt Gen James 

Roudebush, U.S. Air Force Surgeon General, MC. 

 Event organizers were particularly gratified to have Dr. S. Ward Casscells, assistant 

secretary of defense for health affairs, as 

well as General Roudebush and MG 

George Weightman, MC, USA, commanding general, U.S. Army Medical Research 

and Materiel Command. 

 In the end, President Rice thanked the 

Faculty Senate and Dr. Wilson, in particular, 

for beginning what is certain to become a 

USU tradition. 

PAGE 3 

Faculty Senate Celebrates USU Professors at 

Inauguration of Education Day 

By Christine Creenan 

VPE Staff Writer 

Public Health Service in September 2007 after 37 years of active 

duty. He received his BA in Classical Languages from the University of Hawaii (with honors, 1967) and his MD from George Washington University (1971). Additionally, Dr. Moritsugu holds a MPH 

in Health Administration from the University of California-Berkeley 

(1975). 

Dr. Gail Wilensky

 Dr. Wilensky is an economist, and a 

Senior Fellow at Project HOPE, an international health education foundation. She is 

a Commissioner on the WHO’s Commission on the Social Determinants of health, 

co-chaired the recently completed Department of Defense task force on the Future 

of Military Health Care, is the Vice Chair of 

the Maryland Health Care Commission 

and serves as a trustee of the Combined 

Benefits Fund of the United Mineworkers 

of America and the National Opinion 

Research Center. She is a Member of the 

National Academy of Sciences, Institute of 

Medicine. Dr. Wilensky was recently appointed to the Defense Health Board, advising the Department of 

Defense on health matters. She received her bachelor's degree in 

psychology and a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Michigan. (Source: USU News Release) 

BOR MEMBERS, Continued from Page 2 

 The Board of Regents, was established to assist the Secretary of 

Defense in an advisory capacity in carrying out the Secretary’s 

responsibility to conduct the business of the Uniformed Services 

University of the Health Sciences. 

The Board of Regents is composed of fifteen members: 

 Nine persons outstanding in the fields of health and health 

education who are appointed from civilian life by the Secretary of 

Defense; 

 The Secretary of Defense, or his designee, who shall be an ex 

officio member; 

 The Surgeons General of the uniformed services, who shall be 

ex officio members; and 

 The President of the university, who shall be a non-voting ex 

officio member. 

 The terms of office for each member of the Board (other than 

ex officio members) shall be six years except that: 

 Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the 

expiration of the term for which his predecessor was appointed 

shall be appointed for the remainder of such term; and 

 Any member whose term of office has expired shall continue to 

serve until his successor is appointed. 

 One of the appointed members of the Board shall be designated as Chairman by the Secretary of Defense. The Chairman 

shall be the presiding officer of the Board. 

USU’s Board of Regents 

Dr. Charles Rice, USU President, attends a 

lecture during the university’s first Education Day. 

Photo by HM2 Michael Oliver, USN 
PAGE 4 

 Joesph De Soto, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.I.C, was recently appointed 

chair of the Faculty Senate Research Policy Committee by Faculty 

Senate President Andrew Bauer, M.D. Through his volunteer 

post, De Soto is working to enhance communication between 

administration and faculty while simultaneously advancing scholarship and research opportunities at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU). 

 The former Army combat medic is very clear when discussing 

USU’s role in the military health system. “The most important mission we have is to continuously improve research and scholarship so we can improve the lives of our service men and women,” 

he said. “We want to provide the kind of care the people who 

put themselves in harm’s way deserve.” 

 De Soto believes the best way to affect positive change is by 

engaging in open, honest dialogue at all levels. So far this approach appears to be quite effective, as the committee receives 

much support and collaboration. 

 Meetings, which are held on 

the third Monday of every month 

at 3 p.m., regularly engage15-20 

active members, but are open to 

all USU faculty. De Soto is encouraging an even stronger turnout 

though, pointing out, “We are 

interdependent on each other to 

complete this mission.” 

 As research continues to grow, 

so too will the reputation of USU, 

and eventually rank the university 

among the outstanding top ten 

schools, according to De Soto. 

Clearly, the new chair is ambitious, 

hard working and proud to be a 

part of the USU leadership community. 

Faculty Senate Research Policy Committee Seeks to 

Enhance Research, Scholarship Opportunities 

By Christine Creenan 

VPE Staff Writer 

Joseph De Soto, M.D., Ph.D. 

Students from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences gathered in the university’s amphitheater Aug. 21, for 

the annual Presentation Assembly. The students took the Hippocratic Oath, administered by Larry Laughlin, M.D., Ph.D., dean 

of the USU F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine. After taking the Oath, the students are now welcome to the study of medicine. 

USU Presents Photo by HM2 Michael Oliver 
PAGE 5 

 Dr. Susan Rasmussen fashioned a childhood hankering for science inquiry into a satisfying career as director, in the Office of 

Program Development at the Uniformed Services University (USU). 

Her primary duty is to assist faculty in obtaining the funding necessary to begin research, but her experience in the laboratory left 

an indelible impression on the Texas native and provided her with 

a unique perspective on the enormity of her charge. 

 Rasmussen first came to USU as a laboratory manager, working 

alongside Dr. Alison O’Brien, Ph.D., chair, professor, Department 

of Microbiology, analyzing the mechanisms of bacterial pathogeneses in the urinary tract. This experience gave her keen insight into the frustrations that often accompany investigator pursuits, and therefore is now diligently working to enhance the USU 

intramural research program. 

 The most rewarding aspect of her job is “knowing that instead 

of taking three months to get the paperwork through the pipelines, it only took a third of the time.” 

 Acknowledging USU faculty are engaging in dynamic research, 

she is proud to play a hand in the fruits of their labor. “When the 

faculty gets recognition, it reflects well on the university,” Rasmussen admits, “and that makes me feel good.” 

 She has a deeper connection to the university though, reaching back to a childhood, spent in a rural town near Ft. Hood, 

Texas. The daughter of a soldier and sister of a sailor, USU’s focus 

on excellence in military medicine, resonates with her upbringing 

and her values. 

 The university’s vision and 

extraordinary 

group of researchers drew 

her to the university six years ago, 

and she hasn’t 

looked back. “I 

love it here. My 

work is very enjoyable,” Rasmussen said. 

 Truly a “Jill” of 

all trades, this 

scientist-turnedadministrator, 

also fancies herself a bit of a 

chef. When 

away from the 

office, Rasmussen 

enjoys spending 

time with her husband and son, as well as testing out new recipes 

learned in the cooking classes she frequently attends. Baking is 

her forte and she sometimes brings desserts into the office, making the newest director a sweet addition to the Office of Research. 

Staff Profile: Dr. Susan Rasmussen, Program Development 

By Christine Creenan 

VPE Staff Writer 

Susan Rasmussen, Ph.D. 

On Aug. 12, faculty, students and alumni of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences’ Nurse Anesthesia Program gathered for a luncheon at the annual American Association of Nurse Anesthetists meeting in Minneapolis, Minn. The 

event was hosted by the Office of Alumni Affairs and the USU Alumni Association. 

Anesthetists Alumni Photo by Leeann Ori 
PAGE 6 

 Just weeks ago the next generation of 

military physicians began to grace the corridors of the Uniformed Services University of 

the Health Sciences (USU) as they became 

first year medical students. Among this 

matriculating class is one student who 

knows first-hand what the university has to 

offer. 

 Tara Mccluskey, a recent graduate of 

James Madison University in Harrisonburg, 

Va., participated in the Science, Service, 

Military and Mentoring Program (S2M2) as 

a junior in college and has become the first 

student from that program to matriculate 

into USU. 

 The mentoring program helps broaden 

the minds of students interested in a science related field, but are having a hard 

time deciding on a concentration. The 

office of Recruitment and Diversity sponsors the program and reaches out to students all over the country. 

 “I’m honored that I had the opportunity 

to participate in this program,” she said. 

“Part of what I did was to help mentor the 

high school students who were enrolled in 

the program. We were able to shadow 

faculty members here at the university and 

also do volunteer work at the National Naval Medical Center, and it was an incredible 

learning experience.” 

 Mccluskey took her commissioning oath 

into the U.S. Navy this past summer administered by CAPT Cynthia Macri, MC, USN, 

vice president of Recruitment and Diversity 

and the program director of S2M2. 

 Mccluskey feels excited about joining 

the Navy and attending USU. She said she 

is well aware that one day she may be 

called to duty to care for wounded warriors 

who have been placed in harms way. 

 Obstetrics and Gynecology is the field 

that Mccluskey is interested in pursuing, 

but said she is open to many possibilities as 

she makes her way through the challenges 

of medical school. 

 Macri said the S2MS program definitely 

has an influence on the students who participate and helps them decide on careers 

in health care. 

From Mentor to Medical Student 

By TSgt Andre Nicholson 

NCOIC, Office of External Affairs 

On Aug. 28, Col Paul Friedrichs, USU Class of 1990, (second from the right) became commander of the 3rd Medical Group at 

Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. Above Col Friedrichs delivers a salute to departing Commander, Col Richard Walberg, at 

the change of command ceremony. 

Airman 1st Class Tinese Treadwell , USAF 

USU Graduate Takes Command 

CAPT Cynthia Macri, MC, USN, vice president of Recruitment and Diversity, program 

director of S2M2, administers the commissioning oath to Tara Mccluskey, who is the 

first student to matriculate into USU from 

the S2M2 program. 

Photo by TSgt Andre Nicholson, USAF 
 Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) 

expands its research into the field of neuroregenerative medicine 

with the addition of the Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine. The center will establish a cooperative research 

environment in order to study the affects and treatments for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). 

 The university will focus the research and practice efforts of the 

center on six primary areas: 

 - Neuroregenerative Medicine to restore neurological function 

 - Neuroimaging to improve the diagnosis of TBI 

 - Neuroplasticity as a tool to improve TBI therapeutic outcomes 

 - Rehabilitation Medicine for TBI and PTSD 

 - Neuroprotection and Modeling TBI 

 - Biomarker tools for TBI diagnosis and treatment 

 The expansion of USU efforts in regenerative medicine is to 

establish a strong network with the existing labs in the National 

Capital Area that have ongoing research efforts in the area of 

neuroregeneration. Specifically, USU will establish a consortium 

between Walter Reed National Military Medical Center 

(WRNMMC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Defense Center for Traumatic Brain Injury and Psychological Health (DCOE), 

the Army Medical Research Command (MRMC) Labs, and Navy 

Labs. This network will work with USU as the coordinating center 

to accelerate regenerative medicine programs across these institutions so that fundamental studies are moved to translational laboratories and, in turn, this science will migrate quickly to advance 

development in a clinical setting. 

 In this model USU/WRNMMC will be at the hub of the network 

activities and have direct contact with all the associated labs. The 

relationship will be to build a cooperative research environment 

across the labs and to encourage idea exchange to move concepts into medical applications. The focus of the network will be 

to enhance brain cell and tissue preservation, repair, and/or replacement as appropriate across the spectrum of brain injury. 

Sept. 24: Dr. Narayan Nair Lecture—Dr. Narayan Nair, CDR, USPHS, 

will give a lecture entitled "The Medical Reserve Corps and Disaster 

Response" Sept. 24 at 11:45 a.m. in Lecture Room C. Dr. Nair is the 

senior program manager, Deployed Operations in the Office of 

the Civilian Volunteer, Medical Reserve Corps. 

Sept. 28: Navy Five Miler—The event will be held in Washington 

D.C., covering mostly flat terrain. For more information, visit 

www.navy5miler.com or contact FC2 Adam Race at 

arace@usuhs.mil to join the university team. 

Sept. 29: Seminar, “Minotaur and Chiron: Tales of Two Zoonotic 

Pathogens”—Speaker will be Alfredo G. Torres, Ph.D., assistant 

professor, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston’s Department of Microbiology and Immunology. Lecture begins at 11:30 

a.m. in Lecture Room B. 

Sept. 30: PBS Film Screening—The Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress invites audiences to view “Herbert Hauptman: Portrait 

of a Laureate” in the small dining room, Bldg. B, beginning at 4 

p.m. 

Oct. 16: Combined Federal Campaign—The CFC is looking for volunteers to help out as key workers, or to assist with different committees. This year’s campaign will include poster, slogan, photography and video contests. For questions or information about 

volunteering, contact CPT Tyler at 295-9561 or 

sean.tyler@usuhs.mil. 

Oct. 18-26: Red Ribbon Week—Red Ribbon Week is an initiative 

aimed at preventing and educating audiences about the dangers 

of drugs and alcohol. USU will sponsor multiple events throughout the week, including a stand-down formation. 

Nov. 4: 2008 Presidential Election—Absentee voters should request ballots at least 60 days before the election. An online version of the Federal Post Card Application (SF-76) can be obtained 

at http://www.fvap.gov/pubs/onlinefpca.pdf. For assistance contact LCDR Kemper at 295-9434 or mkemper@usuhs.mil or IT2 

Woods at 295-9800 or gwoods@usuhs.mil. 

USU 

A Traditional Academic University with a Unique 

Focus 

Dates to Remember 

Arrival:

USU welcomes (Ret) Chief John Rauckhorst, food service manager. Over the past couple of months, Rauckhorst has been increasing the responsiveness of the food service program. With 

more than 20 years of experience, his portfolio includes tours 

aboard the USS Independence, USS Abraham Lincoln and the USS 

Ross as a chief culinary specialist. Additionally, Rauckhorst has 

served in the galley at Submarine Base San Diego as well as a tour 

in the White House galley staff. Most recently, before joining the 

USU community, he was employed as the assistant manager of 

Panera Bread in Rockville, Md. 

Departure:

CAPT Joseph Lopreiato, MC, will retire from the Navy after 31 

years of honorable service to our Nation on Sept. 26, 2008. All are 

invited and encouraged to show their support for this outstanding service member from 1 to 2 p.m. in Sanford Auditorium, 

followed by refreshments in the small dining room. 

Arrivals/Departures 

USU Announces Addition of Center for 

Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine 

PAGE 7 
UNIFORMED SERVICES UNIVERSITY 

of the Health Sciences