The Official USU Newsletter

Volume 11, Issue 14 n Oct. 27, 2016

 www.usuhs.edu

Learning to Care for Those in Harm’s Way
2 the pulse Oct. 27, 2016

Sharon Holland

Deputy Vice President for External 

Affairs and Managing Editor

Christopher Austin

Writer and Interim Editor

MC2 Laura Bailey

Writer and Photographer

SSgt. Stephanie Morris, USAF

Writer and Photographer

Sarah Marshall

Contributing Writer and 

Photographer

Tom Balfour

Photographer

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 is published biweekly on 

Mondays. The deadline for submissions is at 4 p.m. Tuesday prior to the 

publication date. Submissions can be 

sent to christopher.austin.ctr@usuhs.

edu or by calling 301-295-3338.

On the cover

Dr. Thomas Schneid, executive 

dean of USU's Postgraduate Dental 

College, delivers remarks at the 

recent graduation ceremony aboard 

the USS Missouri memorial for Army 

PDC students at Schofield Barracks, 

Hawaii. See story pg. 8. (Courtesy 

photo)

Thomas addresses university 

at first town hall meeting

Richard W. Thomas, M.D., D.D.S., president of the Uniformed Services 

University of the Health Sciences, held his first town hall meeting with the 

faculty and staff on Sept. 29. (Photo by Sharon Holland)

By Christopher Austin

Richard W. Thomas, M.D., D.D.S., 

president of the Uniformed Services 

University of the Health Sciences 

(USU), held his first town hall meeting on Sept. 29, introducing himself 

to the faculty and staff and sharing 

his initial observations following his 

first quarter in the position.

Thomas said that he recognizes that the university is very good 

at what it does providing unparalleled support for the Department 

of Defense and other federal and 

non-federal partners.

“The university is the best staffed, 

best resourced and in the best position than it’s ever been before,” said 

Thomas. He detailed his priorities 

for the university, adding that readiness is the major focus.

“I’m really proud to serve with 

you. Thanks for being here in this 

room today, and thanks for being 

on this team. What we provide here 

is education, research and training 

opportunities to develop the finest 

health care professionals we have. 

No one else does it better, no one 

else can do what we provide here for 

U.S. medical care. Thanks for what 

you do every day,” Thomas said.
3 the pulse Oct. 27, 2016

Koles, Cross civilian employees of the 

quarter

Department of Medicine Research 

Biologist Nancy Koles has been selected as the senior employee of the 

quarter at Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) 

for the beginning of 2016. (Photo by 

Tom Balfour)

Program Support Assistant Pamela 

Cross has been selected as the junior 

employee of the quarter at USU for 

the beginning of 2016. (Photo by Tom 

Balfour)

By Christopher Austin

Department of Medicine research 

biologist Nancy Koles and program 

support assistant Pamela Cross were 

selected as the senior and junior 

employees of the quarter for the beginning of 2016, respectively. 

Koles has worked in the Department of Medicine for the past 32 

years. During that time, she has 

worked across several divisions 

within the department to expand 

her knowledge base, according to 

Dr. Louis Pangaro, chair of the Department of Medicine at Uniformed 

Services University of the Health 

Sciences (USU), in a letter nominating Koles for her selection.

“Ms. Koles has an amazing knowledge of systems' operation and will 

independently take care of anything 

from resupply, laboratory animal 

medicine arrangements, equipment 

management, controlled substances [and] troubleshooting that keeps 

our labs running smoothly,” Pangaro said.

In addition, Pangaro commended 

Koles for volunteering to assist others in the lab, mentoring younger 

learners. 

“Another admirable quality is that 

Ms. Koles is always conscious of her 

responsibilities and acts proactively instead of waiting to be asked to 

perform a task,” Dr. Sonia Doi, a 

research associate professor for the 

school of medicine, said in Pangaro’s 

letter. “When asked to do something 

out of her usual schedule, she is always amenable and easily adjusts to 

it.”

Cross was nominated for her 

commitment to excellence of service to the USU community, including administrative support for 

the general internal medicine, infectious disease, immunology, and 

health professions education divisions, Pangaro wrote in Cross’ nomination letter.

On top of this, Cross also volunteered to help the newly-formed 

Health Professions Education Section with financial management, 

bringing on personnel, acquiring 

equipment and securing travel. 

“With the end of fiscal year spending fast approaching, Ms. Cross also 

took over purchasing support for research faculty members in both our 

infectious diseases and immunology 

divisions," ensuring purchases were 

complete prior to the cutoff dates, 

said Pangaro.

Pangaro lauded many other invaluable actions that Cross undertook to support the Department 

of Medicine, including creating a 

database to assist incoming faculty members, designing a new telephone directory that is now the 

standard for the entire department, 

and setting up supplies for transitioning faculty and staff. 

Cross has worked for 28 years in 

federal service and two within the 

Department of Medicine at USU. 
4 the pulse Oct. 27, 2016

Study: Genes linked to PTSD also linked to increased risk 

for cardiovascular disease

By Sarah Marshall

The same genes linked to 

post-traumatic stress disorder 

(PTSD) also appear to be linked 

to a significantly increased risk for 

cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to a new study published in 

Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience 

on Sept. 9 by researchers at the Uniformed Services University of the 

Health Sciences (USU). 

The study, “Soldier’s Heart: A Genetic Basis for Elevated Cardiovascular Disease Risk Associated with 

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder,” was 

led by USU department chairs Dr. 

Harvey Pollard and Dr. Robert Ursano. The researchers believed there 

might be a quantifiable genetic basis 

that links PTSD to CVD. Therefore, 

they examined a comprehensive set 

of candidate risk genes – genes that 

may have a specific mutation correlated with PTSD. The team tested 

whether any were also independent 

risk genes for CVD. They used various databases to examine genes as 

part of the study, including PubMed, 

a catalog from the National Institutes of Health, and a database from 

the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

After examining 106 previously-published genetic studies of 

PTSD, they identified 87 unique genetic variations in more than 83,000 

patients with PTSD and case controls (individuals who were similar to the patients but did not have 

PTSD). The researchers found about 

half of these genes did, in fact, have 

an associated risk for CVD. Looking further, they found, to a lesser 

extent, there might also be a connection between PTSD and Type 2 

diabetes. Additionally, they believe 

these genetic connections might involve the same intrinsic structures 

within the brain that are linked to 

elevated inflammation that occurs 

after a physical injury. 

Based on their findings, the researchers suggest those who have 

been exposed to extreme stress, 

both soldiers and civilians, might 

be significantly more susceptible to 

both PTSD and CVD. They suggest 

further testing is needed to validate 

these results.

More recently, this relationship 

has been described in different 

groups of combat veterans and civilians. With continued advancements 

in genetic testing, researchers can 

continue delving into these associated risks. 

New study finds over-the-counter loperamide, when used 

in large doses, might be linked to heart arrhythmias

By Sarah Marshall

New research has found an overthe-counter medication, loperamide, used to treat diarrhea, including traveler’s diarrhea, might be 

linked to heart arrhythmias when 

used in large doses. The study, “Potent Inhibition of hERG Channels 

by the Over-The-Counter Anti-Diahrrheal Agent Loperamide,” was 

published on Sept. 14 in the official 

journal of the American College of 

Cardiology, JACC Clinical Electrophysiology.

Loperamide is a synthetic opioid 

medication that is generally considered low risk for abuse because little 

drug reaches the brain. However, the 

recent epidemic of opioid abuse has 

led to opioid-dependent individuals 

taking loperamide in high doses, in 

order to mitigate withdrawal symptoms from heroin or prescription 

opioids. These excessive doses can 

cause loperamide to enter the brain 

in sufficient amounts to make subjects feel “high” or prevent opiate 

withdrawal. Clinicians at the Uniformed Services University of the 

Health Sciences (USU) led by Dr. 

Mark Haigney, director of Cardiology and professor of medicine and 

pharmacology at USU, and the University of Colorado School of Medicine, recently reported a case of 

cardiac arrest in a loperamide abuser, but the cause of the toxicity was 

unknown. 

According to the researchers, 

the over-the-counter medication’s 

structure is similar to methadone, 

another synthetic opioid that has 

been associated with cardiac arrest. 

Therefore, they decided to look at the 

impact of loperamide on the electrical currents in the heart, blocked 

by methadone and other drugs that 

cause cardiac arrest. As predicted, they found loperamide blocks 

Continued on pg. 10
5 the pulse Oct. 27, 2016

School of Medicine Announces Dean’s Annual Faculty Teaching 

Awards

Dr. Craig Goolsby, Department of 

Military and Emergency Medicine 

was selected to receive one of the 

Dean's annual Faculty Teaching 

Awards. (Photo by Tom Balfour)

Dr. David Mears, Department of 

Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics was selected to receive one of the 

Dean's annual Faculty Teaching 

Awards. (Photo by Tom Balfour)

By the Office of Academic and 

Faculty Affairs, F. Edward Hébert 

School of Medicine

Dr. Arthur Kellermann, dean of 

the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) F. 

Edward Hébert School of Medicine 

(SOM), recently announced the 

winners of the SOM annual Faculty Teaching Awards. One winner 

each was selected from a basic science department and from a clinical 

science department. These awards 

recognize two faculty who demonstrated outstanding performance 

in their roles as educators during 

the preceding academic year (July 

1, 2015 – June 30, 2016). This is the 

sixth year that this prestigious honor has been bestowed on two SOM 

faculty members. 

The number of nominations 

submitted, and the caliber of those 

nominees, speaks volumes about 

the cadre of faculty at USU, according to Dr. Brian Reamy, senior 

associate dean in the SOM. The 

dean’s advisory committee reviewed 

the nominations, and after scoring 

and deliberation, Kellermann was 

honored to present Craig Goolsby, 

M.D., Department of Military and 

Emergency Medicine (MEM), and 

David Mears, Ph.D., Department of 

Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, 

with the awards.

Goolsby is an associate professor and vice chair for Education 

in MEM, as well as Military Field 

Practicum (MFP) 102 director, 

Emergency Medicine clerkship director, Bushmaster Casualty Force 

and Simulation Team director, Val 

G. Hemming Simulation Center 

Hybrid Simulation Lab director, 

research capstone mentor, and National Center for Disaster Medicine 

and Public Health interim director. 

Goolsby has educated students 

throughout the entire four-year curriculum: from early first year via 

the Combat Medical Skills course 

to late fourth year through research 

capstones. He employs innovative 

simulation tools such as the human-worn simulation known as 

the ‘Cut Suit,’ and developed all of 

the cases, coached student actors, 

trained his teams, and performed 

direct teaching in conjunction with 

this tool. Goolsby’s dedication to educational scholarship is impressive, 

having had five papers published in 

peer-reviewed journals in the past 

year. Three of them involved original research about medical education, and included capstone students as co-authors. 

“Dr. Goolsby’s dedication to his 

students, USU, and his craft as a 

medical educator is second to none. 

In May, he graduated with a Master 

of Education in the Health Professions degree from the Johns Hopkins 

University School of Education. Dr. 

Goolsby’s work in the program has 

paid impressive dividends for USU 

and his students. Beyond self-improvement, Dr. Goolsby takes a deep 

interest in mentoring his students. 

He advises many students on career 

selection/progression, research, and 

a host of other topics,” said Army 

Col. (Dr.) Francis O’Connor, professor and chair of MEM. 

Mears is an associate professor in 

the Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, and currently 

serves as the Neuroscience Module co-director, the Structure and 

Function of the Head, Neck, and 

CNS course director, and director of 

Medical Neuroscience for the USU 

Neuroscience graduate program.

Mears spends countless hours every year preparing for the neuroscience module, including meticulous 

Continued on pg. 17
6 the pulse Oct. 27, 2016

‘Caring for Transgender’ 

conference helps ensure quality care

USU and Walter Reed Bethesda put on the "Caring 

for Transgender" conference, to raise awareness 

of issues related to health care for transgender 

individuals. During the event, Dr. Karen Guice, 

acting assistant secretary of defense for health 

affairs, participated in the discussion regarding 

the new policy on transgender service members. 

(Photo by Bernard S. Little, WRNMMC Public 

Affairs)

By Sarah Marshall

The Department of Defense began requiring military services to 

provide gender transition care to 

service members on Oct. 1. To prepare for the change, the Uniformed 

Services University of the Health 

Sciences (USU) and Walter Reed 

National Military Medical Center 

(WRNMMC) held a conference 

Sept. 13 and 14 focused on caring 

for transgender individuals in a 

changing environment.

 “We all recognize that transgender individuals are individuals first,” 

said Dr. Karen Guice, acting assistant secretary of defense for health 

affairs.

As the principal medical advisor 

to the secretary of defense, she administers the military health system’s (MHS) $50 billion budget, and 

is responsible for providing cost effective, quality health care to more 

than 9.5 million active duty members, retirees and their families.

According to a 2016 Rand Corporation study, she explained, out of 

about 1.3 million active duty service 

members, about 2,500 transgender 

individuals serve in the active component of the military, and just more 

than 1,500 transgender individuals 

serve in the Selected Reserve. Some 

will want care in the MHS, and some 

will be comfortable where they are 

now receiving care.

The study also showed 18 other 

countries currently allow transgender personnel to serve openly in 

their military, she added, and in no 

case was there evidence of an adverse or negative effect on the operational effectiveness, operational 

readiness, or cohesion of the force 

in those countries.

Additionally, the 

Rand study found policy changes that opened 

more roles to women, 

and allowed gay and 

lesbian personnel to 

serve openly in the U.S. 

military, had no significant adverse effect on 

unit cohesion, operational effectiveness or 

readiness.

During the conference, providers further discussed other 

research findings, policies and standards of 

care. The event ended 

with a panel discussion 

that included transgender individuals and 

medical providers who 

have cared for transgender patients. Sitting in on the 

panel was USU alumnus Dr. Curtis 

Hobbs, an endocrinologist and director of the Diabetes Care Center 

at Madigan Army Medical Center, 

Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

Hobbs explained how he began 

caring for transgender patients not 

only because he was asked to, but 

also because he was driven to; it’s a 

personal matter to him. When his 

daughter was 17, he recalled hearing the door to their house rattling 

at three in the morning, as though 

someone was trying to get into the 

house. He found his then 17-yearold son standing outside, rattling 

the knob. Hobbs asked his son why 

he was outside in the middle of the 

night, and he said he just needed to 

go for a walk. Hobbs then asked his 

child if there was something that he 

should know.

“Yes,” he said.

Today, Hobbs has a daughter who 

is gainfully employed and doing 

well. 

“The difference was compassionate people who took care of her and 

gave her what she needed. I think 

that’s what you are here to do,” 

Hobbs said.

The DoD policy on service by 

transgender individuals took shape 

after more than a year of careful and 

thorough planning involving military leadership, medical and personnel experts, transgender service 

members, advocacy groups and private corporations. The policy took 

effect on Oct. 1.

For more information about 

the DoD’s transgender policy, visit 

www.defense.gov/News/Special-Reports/0616_transgender-policy. 
7 the pulse Oct. 27, 2016

Combined Federal Campaign kicks off 

Service members at Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences 

(USU) gathered in building B for a cake-cutting ceremony that kicked off the 

Combined Federal Campaign on Sept. 20. (Photo by Tom Balfour)

By Staff Sgt. Stephanie Morris U.S. 

Air Force

The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) officially kicked off at 

the Uniformed Services University 

of the Health Sciences (USU) on 

Sept. 20.

“The purpose of the CFC is to 

promote and support philanthropy 

through a program that is employee 

focused, cost-efficient, and effective 

in providing all federal employees the opportunity to improve the 

quality of life for all,” said Annette 

Askins-Roberts, the administrative 

officer for External Affairs and CFC 

co-campaign manager.

President John F. Kennedy originally authorized the U.S. Civil Service Commission to develop guidelines and regulate fundraising in the 

federal service in 1961 by Executive 

Order 10927. 

In 1964, the first "combined" 

campaigns, officially called "Combined Federal Campaigns," were 

conducted as experiments in six cities, consolidating all drives into one. 

The result was a substantial increase 

in contributions, ranging from 20 

percent to 125 percent. By 1971, all 

campaigns had become combined.

President Nixon announced on 

March 3, 1971, that the CFC would 

be the uniform fundraising method 

for the federal service. 

“This year’s target contribution 

amount for USU is $120,000," said 

Askins-Roberts. “Federal civilian 

employees and military at USU are 

able to work together to obtain this 

goal.” 

When giving online, personnel 

can contribute to the CFC by payroll 

deduction, credit card, debit card or 

electronic check. When giving using 

a paper pledge form, personnel can 

contribute through the CFC by payroll deduction, cash or check. 

“I wholeheartedly believe the 

CFC is an excellent program,” said 

Askins-Roberts. “I personally like 

that there are more than 20,000 

charities worldwide to choose from. 

They have every charity that you 

could possibly imagine.”

In addition to listing the charities online, they also list the overhead cost to run these charities, 

Askins-Roberts stated.

There will be a number of

CFC-sponsored activities over the 

next few months, including a 5K 

run, Thanksgiving bake sale, and 

the Penny Wars Challenge.

Penny Wars is a three-weeklong competition where members 

of the Army, Navy, Air Force, 

and civilians compete to fill 

their respective jar with pennies.

“You add pennies to the jar you 

want to give positive points to and 

silver coins and dollars to the jar you 

want to give negative points to,” said 

Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Jamal 

Powell, CFC campaign manager. “At 

the end, all of the money is counted 

and the jar that has the most points 

wins the competition.” 

The jars will be located next to the 

Mid-Watch coffee kiosk in building 

C.

To make online donations, please 

visit: www.cfcnca.org and click the 

red donate button in the upper right 

of the screen. 

Paper donation forms can be requested from Powell or Askins-Roberts.
8 the pulse Oct. 27, 2016 9 the pulse Oct. 27, 2016

Postgraduate Dental College Awards USU Degrees

More than 56 Army, Navy, and 

Air Force dentists were awarded 

Master of Science in Oral Biology 

degrees from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) in 2016 after completing their dental residency programs.

USU Postgraduate Dental College 

(PDC) Executive Dean Dr. Thomas 

Schneid conferred the degrees at 

each of the PDC’s program locations, and aboard the USS Missouri 

memorial in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

"I’m so proud of these outstanding graduates and their dedicated 

mentors,” said Schneid. “They have 

all been trained as master clinicians in their chosen specialty. The 

research experience gained from 

their USU Master of Science degree 

programs has given them a sound 

scientific foundation and prepared 

them to choose the best materials 

and techniques, in order to provide 

the highest quality dental care to 

those that defend our nation. These 

graduates truly represent the best of 

the best with bright futures as clinicians, educators, and leaders of our 

military dental services."

By Sharon Holland

Air Force Col. James Knowles (left) 

and Army Col. Douglas Lancaster (right) presented Air Force Capt. 

Michael Segall (center) with the Air 

Force Postgraduate Dental School 

"Marble Thesis" Research Award for 

2016.(Courtesy Photo)

Dr. Charles Rice (left) and Rear Adm. 

Stephen Pachuta (right) present a 

Master of Science in Oral Biology degree to Navy Lt. Cmdr Robert Lummis (center). (Courtesy Photo)

Dr. Margaret Culotta-Norton presents the 2016 International College 

of Dentists Research Award to Major Karen E. Gonzalez-Torres from 

the Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology 

Department. (Courtesy Photo)

Top Row: Navy Lt. Svetlin Penchev, Lt. Cmdr. Walter Volinski, Lt. Spencer Bjarnason, Lt. 

Christopher Barth, Lt. Cmdr. Jared Beck, Lt. Cmdr. Bryan Rasmussen, Lt. James Lish, Lt. 

Cmdr. Robert Lummis; Middle Row: Lt. Eric Oxley, Lt. Peter Krumbhaar, Lt. Cmdr. David 

Quintero, Cmdr. Roger Thompson, Lt. Bryan Behm, Lt. Cmdr. Thomas Cooper, Lt. Cmdr. 

Gustavo Lores, Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Parks; Front Row: Maj. Karen Gonzalez-Torres, Lt. 

Cmdr. Bradley Martinsen, Lt. Cmdr. Alexander Desta, Lt. Marina Hernandez- Feldpausch, Lt. Cmdr. Kyle Vick, Lt. Cmdr. Joshua Treesh, Lt. Cmdr. David Dow, Dr. Heather Giannotta. (Courtesy Photo)

Dr. Schneid poses with Endodontic Residency Graduates: Air Force Col. Marco Galvez, 

Maj. Gregory Zilinski, and Program Director Col. Timothy Kirkpatrick. (Courtesy Photo)

Prosthodontics: Air Force Lt Col. Cade Salmon, Col. Jose Villalobos, Col. Rod 

Phoenix, Maj. Francisco Gallardo, Jr., Col. Richard Batzer, Lt. Col. Ketu Lincoln, Maj. Ryan Sheridan. (Courtesy Photo)

Orthodontics: Air Force Maj. Gary Mayne, Capt. Michael Segall, Lt. Cmdr. 

Casey Burns, Capt. Stona Jackson, and Maj. Sara Wilson. (Courtesy Photo)

Endodontics: Training Officer Air Force Maj. James Wealleans, Maj. Kevin 

Kunz, Maj. Kelly Ramey, Program Director Col Richard Vanderweele. (Courtesy Photo)
10 the pulse Oct. 27, 2016

Laboratory Animal Medicine 

gains new director

By Christopher Austin

Army Lt. Col. Larry Shelton was 

appointed the new director of Laboratory Animal Medicine (LAM) at 

the Uniformed Services University 

of the Health Sciences (USU), effective Sept. 7. 

Shelton is a graduate of Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine. He earned his 

Master of Public Health at USU, and 

from 2006-2008 he served as the 

deputy director of LAM, making 

this his third time stationed at USU.

 “I am a very energetic guy. I’m 

full of energy and I like to bring a 

little bit of fun in getting the job 

done. I will bring an energetic focus 

to accomplishing the mission. That’s 

my goal,” Shelton said.

Shelton’s interest in laboratory 

animal medicine began back in high 

school, where he had a job in a research laboratory.

“That kind of got me interested in 

the research part of it. I didn’t know 

I was going to be a laboratory animal vet at that moment, but I knew 

I was going to be interested in biomedical research," he said. "It wasn’t 

until I got to undergrad that I started hanging out in laboratories more 

and I said ‘I could do that.’ When 

I did get into veterinary school, I 

hung out with laboratory animal 

medicine staff and saw what they 

did. I decided it was for me.”

Shelton is a board-certified diplomate of the American College of 

Veterinary Preventive Medicine and 

the American College of Laboratory 

Animal Medicine. He also completed the U.S. Army Laboratory Animal Medicine residency program 

at the joint Walter Reed Army Institute of Research/Naval Medical 

Research Center. 

Shelton’s other prior assignments 

include serving as head of the Veterinary Sciences Department at the 

Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute and deputy director 

of the Veterinary Medicine Division 

at the U.S. Army Medical Research 

Army Lt. Col. Larry Shelton has 

been appointed the new director 

of Laboratory Animal Medicine at 

Uniformed Services University of the 

Health Sciences (USU). (Photo by 

Tom Balfour)

Institute of Infectious Diseases. 

Most recently, he was director for 

Veterinary Affairs for the Department of the Navy.

Loperamide, continued from pg. 4

an important electrical current in 

the heart, which flows through the 

hERG channel (human à-go-go-related gene), and this causes a block 

that significantly slows the recovery of the normal resting electrical 

state, thereby putting the heart in a 

less stable condition that is prone to 

cardiac arrest. 

“The abuse of loperamide can

trigger lethal arrhythmias, and

we now understand how that may 

happen,” said Haigney, “Individuals taking large doses of loperamide, far in excess of what is recommended, may also develop less 

severe symptoms such as sudden 

loss of consciousness. Emergency 

room physicians should consider 

loperamide abuse when confronted 

by loss of consciousness in an opioid-dependent individual, as this 

is a life-threatening condition. The 

presence of loperamide toxicity can 

be confirmed using a conventional 

EKG.” 

Though this medication is still 

considered safe when used at recommended doses, the researchers 

encourage those with pre-existing 

heart conditions, or those who have 

suffered cardiac arrest, to be cautious when taking loperamide. Further research is needed to support 

these findings. 
11 the pulse Oct. 27, 2016

USU welcomes new chaplain

Navy Cmdr. LeRoy G. Mack III, the 

new Uniformed Services University of 

the Health Sciences (USU) chaplain.

(Photo by Tom Balfour)

By Mass Communications Specialist 

2nd Class Laura Bailey, U.S. Navy

He is neither a Washington 

Redskins nor Dallas Cowboys fan, 

but he prays for both teams. He enjoys good humor and was once an 

avid runner but now he spends his 

time reading and journaling. Most 

of all, Cmdr. LeRoy G. Mack III, a 

Navy chaplain, desires to live a life 

of a servant-leader to all people that 

he encounters on his life journey.

Mack is an ordained American 

Baptist minister who arrived at the 

Uniformed Services University of 

the Health Sciences (USU) in July 

2016. He is eager to serve as the 

USU chaplain to the students, staff, 

faculty and all authorized Department of Defense personnel here for 

the next three years. 

 "The four competencies of the 

Chaplain Corps – provision, facilitation, caring and advising guide me 

as a chaplain,” he said. “It is my vocational duty to facilitate the spiritual 

development of others, provide for 

faith-specific ministries, and care 

for all and to advise the command 

on religious and morale matters as it 

relates to mission readiness.”

Mack believes it’s an awesome 

privilege to serve in the U.S. military 

as a Navy chaplain. Military service 

members, faculty, and staff of USU 

can serve together as one team and 

have different religious beliefs; it’s 

a unique dynamic of U.S. military 

communities, he said. He is honored 

to offer counseling to people of different faith backgrounds and those 

who have no particular religious 

preference because he cares for all. 

Mack’s service as a U.S. Navy 

chaplain has its genesis in a strong 

desire to serve God, country and 

our communities. His faith is the 

premise which led him to become a 

chaplain in 2001 after serving seven 

years in the civilian pastoral ministry. He also once served as an active 

duty Army intelligence officer from 

1987 until 1994.

 “My choice to serve as a military 

chaplain is likened to other chaplains – my service comes out of a 

calling,” said Mack. “Chaplains are 

ordained ministers who primarily 

serve a specific community – military personnel and their families. 

I remember early on when I first 

joined the Chaplain Corps, the senior pastor of my church told me to 

remember I’m serving all people not 

just a branch of service.”

Most recently someone asked 

him if he ministers any differently with the Soldiers or Airmen. He 

paused for a moment and thought 

why would he do that? "People are 

people,” he said laughing. “I welcome all. I stay grounded by my 

faith in God even when they are not 

Sailors."

His military career has taken him 

on numerous adventures. In 2010, 

he was selected for training in the 

Clinical Pastoral Education Program as a resident at Naval Medical 

Center Portsmouth and the Veteran 

Administration of Hampton, VA. It 

was after this training assignment 

that he was detailed to the U.S. Naval 

Hospital, Naples, Italy as the command chaplain where he also served 

as the acting U.S. Sixth Fleet command chaplain for a brief period. 

During this tenure, he served as the 

command chaplain aboard the USS 

Mount Whitney (LLC 220) during 

Operation Jukebox Lotus – the crisis response to the U.S. Special Mission Compound in Benghazi, Libya, 

September 2012.

Whenever he and his family arrive at a new duty station, they come 

as a team. His kids know that they 

will be involved in something that 

helps the community, he said. 

“Serving is a family affair. Service 

defines the Mack family. Whether 

it’s my sons who participate in Boy 

Scouts, the family helping with base 

beautification projects or working 

with charities in Naples, Italy to 

provide food for the holidays, we are 

very much a part of that community, wherever we are,” said Mack. 
12 the pulse Oct. 27, 2016

Wound Management Workshop teaches students 

suture skills

Dr. Linda Wanzer, chair of the Adult/Geriatric Clinical Nurse Specialist 

Program guides Air Force Capt. Shanna Miller in proper technique to tie a 

suture. (Courtesy Photo)

Students practice their suturing technique at 

the Suture Technique and Wound Management 

workshop. (Courtesy Photo) 

Courtesy Article

A wound management workshop 

at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) is 

helping students do more than just 

hone in on their suture skills.

The university’s bi-annual Suture 

Technique and Wound Management workshop is designed to teach 

advanced practice registered nurses 

(APRN) the core clinical skills they 

need in primary care, acute care, as 

well as in deployed environments. 

The workshop has evolved over the 

years, becoming an interdisciplinary experience, as well as an opportunity for professional development.

APRN students in the Daniel K. 

Inouye Graduate School of Nursing 

(GSN) have gained their core wound 

management and suture skills in a 

lab on campus, for years, under the 

expert guidance and instruction of 

Dr. David Welling and Dr. George 

McNamee, from USU’s Department 

of Surgery. Students in these sessions may be from the Adult/Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist, 

Family Nurse Practitioner, or Women’s Health Practitioner programs.

In recent years, the 

workshop has grown 

to allow students 

a chance to practice trauma wound 

management concepts, and a variety 

of suture techniques, 

in a more realistic 

environment. Additionally, teaching 

assistants from the 

student Surgical Interest Group are now 

helping to lead the 

workshop – an opportunity to share 

unique skill sets 

across disciplines. 

These student leaders, from the 

Surgery Interest Group, bring extensive training to the table. They’re 

able to teach their APRN student colleagues how to tie knots, 

handle surgical instruments, and 

close wounds, and they can teach 

two-handed instrument typing and 

suturing techniques. This interdisciplinary collaboration gives both 

GSN and SOM students a chance 

to support each other’s professional 

development.

Dr. Linda Wanzer, Dr. Heather Johnson, and Dr. Andrea Fuller 

meticulously plan and implement 

these sessions, which have become 

a tradition at the University. 

“The instruction and support the 

students receive, through this collaborative workshop, has proven to 

be integral in accomplishing their 

learning objectives,” Wanzer said. 

“It’s also a perfect example of USU’s 

drive to advance the inter-professional educational efforts between 

schools and disciplines.”
13 the pulse Oct. 27, 2016

USU hosts convocation, White Coat 

ceremony

Dr. Arthur Kellermann, Dean of the F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine 

leads students in the Hippocratic Oath during the white coat ceremony held 

on Sept. 16. (Photo by Tom Balfour)

By Christopher Austin

The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) 

academic leadership welcomed new 

students and their guests during the 

annual Fall convocation, Sept. 16.

The event welcomed members of 

the 2020 class of the F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine (SOM), the 

2019 class of the Daniel K. Inouye 

Graduate School of Nursing (GSN) 

and the matriculating class of USU 

graduate students.

“These students come from all 

over our great nation to become part 

of a unique and exciting educational 

experience that will prepare them to 

serve the United States in medicine, 

nursing, science, psychology, or 

public health, throughout their professional lives,” said Army Col. (Dr.) 

Jerome Buller, USU Brigade Commander, who served as the master 

of ceremonies for the convocation.

“For the next 30 years, many of 

you will work and serve side by side 

in war and peace. Sometimes far 

from home,” said Dr. Jeffrey Longacre, vice president for External 

Affairs, speaking on behalf of USU 

President Dr. Richard Thomas. 

“Those bonds you build today with 

those standing next to you will last 

for a lifetime. Cherish them every 

day.”

Speakers thanked the students for 

their service and offered encouraging words for the challenges they 

face ahead.

“We’re proud and pleased to have 

you among our ranks,” said Dr. Arthur Kellermann, dean of the SOM. 

“The next few years are going to be 

the most transformational in your 

career because, here at USU, you 

will not only learn to be superb 

clinicians, you will learn to be outstanding military officers, or outstanding civilian leaders in biomedical research, psychology or public 

health.”

“You are embarking on an adventurous journey. You are at the crossroads where you assess who you are 

now and decide who you want to 

become -- physicians, advance practice nurses, psychologists, scientists 

or scholars in many other health 

fields,” said Dr. Carol Romano, dean 

of the GSN. “You will heal our nation’s heroes as you learn at an advanced level how you care for those 

in harm’s way.”

In his remarks, Dr. Gregory 

Mueller, associate dean for graduate 

education in the SOM, told students 

they are responsible for upholding 

the maturity, integrity and respect 

for all for which the university is 

known.

Following the convocation, the 

event transitioned to the medical 

student White Coat ceremony, organized by the student Arnold P. Gold 

Foundation chapter at USU. Navy 

Lt. Cmdr. (Dr.) Geoffrey Cole, staff 

cardiologist and director of the anti-coagulation clinic at Walter Reed 

National Military Medical Center 

was guest speaker, telling students 

that it is important to work as a 

team, but not to lose sight of their 

individual capabilities as well. 

The White Coat ceremony is 

practiced at medical schools across 

the country and is meant to symbolize the beginning of the students’ 

journey to becoming medical professionals. Students are presented 

with short, white jackets to wear 

during clinical rotations. 

“It was a very meaningful ceremony, personally,” said Air Force 

2nd Lt. Shawn Kim, a member of 

the SOM class of 2019. “It was a 

good way to celebrate what I accomplished and a good reminder that I 

was here because of my family.”
14 the pulse Oct. 27, 2016

Air Force Celebrates 69th Birthday

Air Force Lt. Gen. (ret.) Douglas J. Robb, a scholarin-residence at Uniformed Services University of 

the Health Sciences, served as guest speaker during 

the Air Force's 69th birthday celebration held on 

Sept. 15 in Sanford Auditorium.(Photo by Tom 

Balfour)

By Christopher Austin

The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) 

students, faculty and staff gathered 

together on Sept. 15 in Sanford Auditorium to celebrate the 69th birthday of the U.S. Air Force. 

The event featured guest speaker retired Air Force Lt. Gen. (Dr.) 

Douglas J. Robb, former Defense 

Health Agency director and a scholar-in-residence at USU, who reflected on the history of the service, from 

its origins as a part of the U.S. Army, 

through today as a major force that 

controls air, space, and cyberspace 

and leading military innovation. 

“It takes men and women, sitting 

behind screens for data analysis and 

targeting,” Robb said. “It’s your job, 

the people graduating from this 

university, to take care of those men 

and women and make sure they are 

up and around... Everybody behind the screen is at work. If one 

piece of data is missed, 

the target of opportunity is missed. That’s 

why [medical care] is 

important. Everybody 

contributes to the fight."

“Thank you for what 

you do in training the 

next generation of our 

healthcare operators 

who are going to take 

care of our forces as we 

move on to the next 

generation,” Robb said.

After his speech, 

Robb was presented 

with a token of appreciation and the event was 

closed by the ceremonial cutting of the Air Force’s birthday 

cake.

“I think it went really well, especially with the briefing Gen. Robb 

presented. We tried to do our best 

to represent Air Force heritage, 69 

years long,” said Staff Sgt. Marcus 

Ayala, the non-commissioned officer in charge of the finance and 

manpower group at USU. He served 

as the master of ceremonies for the 

event and helped in its planning. 

Workforce for 21st century health and 

healthcare

By Sarah Marshall

To keep up with the evolving 

needs of our nation’s health and 

health care system, a series of papers published in the Journal of the 

American Medical Association on 

Sept. 26 recommends restructuring 

the U.S. health care system in ways 

that will support more efficient, targeted health care delivery.

One of these papers, “Workforce 

for 21st Century Health and Health 

Care,” was authored by Arthur L. 

Kellermann, M.D., M.P.H., dean 

of the F. Edward Hébert School of 

Medicine at the Uniformed Services 

University of the Health Sciences, 

with Steven H. Lipstein, M.H.A, 

president and chief executive officer of BJC HealthCare. The paper 

summarizes the recommendations 

of a National Academy of Medicine 

writing team, made up of distinguished healthcare leaders chaired 

by Lipstein and Kellermann.

The paper outlined an interdisciplinary health care workforce, organized to care for four major groups 

of patients to support our nation’s 

evolving health. These groups include people who are generally

healthy, those who experience acute 

and major episodes of illness and 

injury, those who have significant 

chronic medical and behavioral 

conditions, and those who are approaching the end of a natural lifespan.

“To improve the care Americans 

receive in the 21st century, we need 

to recruit, educate, and sustain a diverse workforce of compassionate 

health professionals that are comfortable working in interdisciplinary teams, technically skilled, adept 

at using telehealth and health information technology, and consistently 

responsive to patients’ needs,” Kellermann said.
15 the pulse Oct. 27, 2016

University welcomes new Army Company Commander and Army 

Senior Enlisted Advisor

Army Capt. Christine ArguezaPrince, the new Army company 

commander for the F. Edward Hebert 

School of Medicine at USU. (Photo by 

Tom Balfour)

Army Sgt. 1st Class Victor Gomez, 

the new Army senior enlisted advisor 

for the F. Edward Hebert School of 

Medicine. (Photo by Tom Balfour)

By Christopher Austin

The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) 

welcomed Capt. Christine Argueza-Prince and Sgt. 1st Class Victor 

Gomez as the new F. Edward Hebert 

School of Medicine Army company 

commander and Army senior enlisted advisor, respectively, this past 

July. 

Before arriving at USU, Argueza-Prince served as a field preventive medicine instructor and later, 

chief of operations for Public Health 

Command-Atlantic at Fort Meade, 

Md. 

“The reason why I took this command was because of my passion for 

mentoring junior officers. I had a 

choice between this command and 

another command where I would be 

around a lot of more senior officers,” 

Argueza-Prince said. “I felt like this 

was a great opportunity to have an 

impact, especially with the junior 

lieutenants coming through and going out into the Army after this. It 

will be nice to share my experiences 

with them.”

Argueza-Prince enlisted in Monterey, Calif. and served as a preventive medicine specialist for six years. 

Taking part in the Army’s Green to 

Gold Program, she graduated with 

a bachelor’s degree in Biology and 

commissioned as an environmental science engineering officer. In 

2012, she deployed in support of 

Operation Enduring Freedom XII 

in Afghanistan. Her past leadership 

positions include platoon leader, executive officer and brigade combat 

team preventive medicine officer in 

the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort 

Bragg, N.C. 

Gomez also sees this assignment 

as an opportunity to help shape future medical officers.

 “This was a surprising assignment in my view, but I’m looking 

forward to what I can provide to the 

officers,” Gomez said. “What I see 

getting out of this assignment is to 

help the students achieve a much 

broader view of how they can help, 

not only as a commanding officer, 

but through strength of character 

and leadership.”

Gomez, a native of Caguas, Puerto Rico, joined the Army in 1997 

and attended basic training at Fort 

Leonard Wood, Mo. After graduation, he went on to Fort Sam 

Houston, Texas, where he attended 

advanced individual training to become a healthcare specialist. 

He has held several prior leadership roles including team leader, 

senior line medic and emergency 

treatment non-combat officer. 

Gomez also holds a Bachelor of 

Science degree in nutrition from 

Kaplan University and is currently 

pursuing a master’s degree in performance exercise science from the 

Liberty University. 

He has served overseas in a combat tour in Afghanistan in support 

of Operation Enduring Freedom, 

a Multi-National Force Observers 

mission in Egypt, an extended tour 

in South Korea and another extended tour in Germany, hopes to leverage that experience.

"Just to mentor those from the 

experience that we bring is something," Gomez said. "For example, 

I have worked treatment platoon, 

ambulance platoon, deployed multiple times, to places like Afghanistan 

and Egypt. With my 19-year career, 

what I bring to the table is quite a 

lot." 
16 the pulse Oct. 27, 2016

USU Student Competes in Ironman 

70.3 World Championship

Air Force Lt. Col. Dr. Elizabeth Erickson takes part in the running portion 

of the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Mooloolaba, Australia on Sept. 

4. She finished 78 out of 137 in her age group. (Photo courtesy of Lt. Col. 

Elizabeth Erickson)

By Sarah Marshall 

Air Force Lt. Col. Dr. Elizabeth 

Erickson competed in the Ironman 

70.3 World Championship on Sept. 

4, biking, running and swimming 

more than 70 miles along Australia’s 

Sunshine Coast.

Erickson is a resident in the General Preventive Medicine program 

and currently working on her Master 

of Public Health degree at the Uniformed Services University of the 

Health Sciences (USU). She’s also a 

board-certified family physician. In 

June, she competed in the Ironman 

70.3 Hawaii Triathlon, where she 

qualified for the world championship, which took place in Mooloolaba, Australia. The 70.3 race is half 

the distance of the full Ironman triathlon, which takes place each year 

in October in Hawaii.

“I was shocked,” she said, when 

she learned she had earned a spot 

in the world championship. She had 

just finished a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile 

bike, and 13.1 mile run – all in about 

five hours and 38 minutes. Right 

then and there, she had to decide 

whether she would go on to participate in another trying competition, 

more than 10,000 miles away. It was 

an emotional decision, she said, but 

she opted to go for it.

Erickson finished the World 

Championship in about five hours 

and 44 minutes, placing 78 out of 

137 in her age group. Sporting Air 

Force gear, representing the U.S. military and USU, she competed with 

about 3,000 athletes from around 

the world, including many of the 

world’s top triathletes. To qualify for 

a spot at the World Championship, 

more than 130,000 athletes participated in a series of races that included more than 85 events around the 

world. Those who qualified for the 

Ironman 70.3 World Championship 

ranged in age from 18 to 75-plus, 

and represented more than 70 countries.

Erickson is no stranger to tough 

competition, having participated in 

many Olympic and sprint-distance 

triathlons and running races from 

5Ks to marathons over the years. 

She’s completed 13 marathons over 

the last 22 years, including the Boston Marathon, which she did this 

year for the first time and for which 

she hopes to qualify again next year. 

She began increasing her training for 

triathlons in the last few years and 

started working with a coach earlier this year. She tracks her training 

efforts via a GPS watch and apps on 

her phone, logging about 10 to 15 

hours each week. She often trains on 

base in the pool and track, and said 

she maintains a well-balanced diet.

As one can imagine, though, balancing family life, military obligations, school, and triathlon training 

is no easy feat. What’s kept her motivated is knowing she’s setting a good 

example for her daughter. Erickson 

also added she does her best to live 

a healthy lifestyle, “practicing what 

she preaches,” as a physician.

She took everything in stride as 

she geared up for the unique opportunity to compete against athletes 

from around the globe.

“I am really excited to have qualified for the world championship, 

and it will be a true honor to represent the U.S. and the U.S. Air Force 

in Australia,” she said prior to the 

race.
17 the pulse Oct. 27, 2016

Nordholm appointed chief of staff for university's 

Western Office

Navy Captain Alan Nordholm has 

been appointed as the chief of staff for 

the Uniformed Services University of 

the Health Sciences Western Region 

Office. (Photo by Tom Balfour)

By Christopher Austin

Retired Navy Captain Alan Nordholm has been selected as the new 

chief of staff for the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) Western Region. In 

this role, Nordholm will be providing office continuity and support for 

the students, faculty, and staff stationed on the West Coast. 

“I was honored to get this appointment,” Nordholm said. “This is 

the culmination of a military career 

that has spanned five decades. In 

1976, I began as an enlisted hospital 

corpsman and to be selected to be 

the chief of staff for the USU Western Region senior vice president, is 

an honor and privilege. ”

Enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1976 

as a hospital corpsman, Nordholm 

was assigned to Naval Hospital 

San Diego and supported the Marine Corps at Naval Hospital Camp 

Pendleton as a psychiatric technician. His academic background 

includes an undergraduate degree 

in statistics from California State 

University Long Beach, a Master of 

Science in clinical psychology from 

Pepperdine University in Malibu, 

Calif. and a Ph.D. in behavioral 

neuroscience from the University 

of Southern California. Nordholm 

also completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. From this 

fellowship, Nordholm rejoined the 

Navy in 1995 as a Medical Service 

Corps officer and research psychologist. He recently retired as the dean 

of Academics at the Medical Education and Training Campus in San 

Antonio, Texas.

Operational assignments for 

Nordholm include recalled enlisted active duty service for Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm as 

a Naval Reserve hospital corpsman 

and more recently, he was officer in 

charge of the Navy’s Mobile Care 

Team in Afghanistan. Nordholm 

has had extensive staff assignments 

on the Chief of Naval Operations 

(CNO) staff in both manpower and 

resources. He was the lead medical 

officer on a CNO-directed task force 

to revolutionize Navy training. Additionally, he established the Military Liaison Office at NASA Ames 

Research Laboratory in Mountain 

View, Calif.

Dean’s Annual Faculty Teaching Awards, continued from pg. 5

review and adjustments of lectures 

and lecture notes. This year, Mears 

undertook an effort to revamp the 

order of instruction so that students would have a more seamless 

instructional experience. Mears is 

well known for his care and attention to student needs during the 

module and throughout the year. 

Each year after completing a round 

of neuroscience education, Mears 

takes stock of both his performance 

and the performance of the module overall. This process begins the 

planning for the subsequent year’s 

teaching and keeps Mears engaged 

in what he loves to do – teach.

Dr. Gary Wynn, associate professor and assistant chair, Department 

of Psychiatry, further describes him 

as being “arguably one of the best 

educators at this institution as evidenced by the engagement of his 

students, their long-term performance, student feedback about his 

teaching, and his receipt of the Most 

Engaging Module Director award 

for the Class of 2018. These outstanding outcomes are the product 

of his dedication and hard work.”

Both winners will be recognized 

by placement of their names on tribute bricks in the USU courtyard.
18 the pulse Oct. 27, 2016

University remembers Col. Cliff Lutz

Retired Army Col. (Dr.) Clifford Charles Lutz, 

Jr., passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, 

Aug. 25 in North Carolina. He was 49 years 

old. (Photo by Tom Balfour)

By Christopher Austin

Friends, family, faculty, staff and 

students gathered in Sanford Auditorium on Oct. 3 for a memorial service to pay tribute to retired Army 

Col. (Dr.) Clifford Lutz, who passed 

away unexpectedly in August.

Lutz was a 1993 alumnus of the 

Uniformed Services University of 

the Health Sciences (USU) F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine, 

and served for several years as a faculty member and vice chair for education in the Department of Military and Emergency Medicine at 

USU before retiring from the Army.

“When I think about Cliff, all I 

remember is his smile and words 

of encouragement,” said Army Col. 

(Dr.) Melissa Givens, assistant professor of MEM, in her personal reflections of Lutz during the service. 

“He was my faculty when I was a 

resident and every time I came on 

a shift, I had a sensation of relief 

when I walked into that room. I always knew it was going to be okay. 

No matter what happened, I was going to learn, we were going to take 

great care of patients, and we were 

going to have a good time doing it. 

I’m hoping that, standing up here, I 

can put a smile on my face because I 

think that’s what Cliff would want.”

Givens read comments from 

her emergency medicine residency 

classmates, who also expressed their 

appreciation for the time they spent 

with Lutz.

Retired Army Lt. Col. James 

Schwartz, deputy chair of MEM, 

spoke about his own experiences 

with Lutz, recalling their shared interest in fly fishing. 

“I remember one day he brought 

all his fly fishing paraphernalia into 

the office and showed me 

how to tie a fly. We talked 

about fly fishing, both the 

art and science of it. I remember we finally set up a 

day where we would go fly 

fishing. We found an area in 

the Shenandoah and he lent 

me all the gear. He showed 

me a bunch of the different 

techniques in fly fishing. I 

remember wading in the 

stream with him and out of 

nowhere he turned to me 

with a total look of contentment and told me, ‘Hey, this 

is really what it’s all about.’ 

We didn’t catch much that 

day, but I could tell that 

Cliff really didn’t care. It 

was more about appreciating the surroundings and 

experience, and spending 

time with friends.” 

Schwartz went on to 

praise Lutz as a mentor to students, 

saying that “he always told it like it 

is, but always in a compassionate 

way.”

“He was absolutely loved at the 

university, but most importantly, 

with the students he was trusted,” 

Army Col. (Dr.) Francis O’Connor, 

chair of MEM, said during the service. 

O’Connor relayed a situation that 

took place several years ago where 

some students on an external rotation observed some inappropriate behavior and chose to confide 

in Lutz rather than reporting it to 

O’Connor, Student Affairs, or the 

medical school dean.

“Cliff knew what to do. But it 

wasn’t easy. It led to a very tough 

series of decisions that led to Cliff 

confronting a long-time mentor 

and making the call of cutting ties,” 

O’Connor said. “Cliff Lutz, will always be, to me, a hero for this school 

because when he had to make that 

tough call, he knew what he had to 

do and did it.”

In his honor, MEM established 

the “Dr. Clifford Lutz Bushmaster 

Honor Platoon Award” to recognize the platoon with the highest 

ratings during Operation Bushmaster. O’Connor said he believed Lutz 

would want a way to recognize a 

team rather than an individual. The 

plaque will be hung in the Military 

and Emergency Medicine department hallway.
19 the pulse Oct. 27, 2016

Final Frame

Army 2nd Lt. Yizhen Liu, a student at the F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine practices intubation on Hero, a 

simulated canine that will be used during Operation Bushmaster. Army Major Cara Reiter, a resident of the 

Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine at Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences demonstrated 

some of Hero's features to students, including a simulated pulse and blood pressure that can be controlled remotely 

from the simulator, during a demonstration of the simulators being used during Operation Bushmaster on Sept. 30 

under the breezeway. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Stephanie Morris)