USU Newsletter

VOLUME 4, ISSUE 7 WWW.USUHS.MIL May 11, 2009

ANTIETAM 

SEE PAGE 2
Bill Bester

Acting Vice President for 

External Affairs and 

Managing Editor

Ken Frager

Public Affairs Specialist

André Nicholson

Staff Writer

Staff Sgt. Matthew Rosine

Production Editor

MC2 Chad Hallford

Layout and Design

Christine Creenan

Contributing Writer

Publisher: 

USU Duplicating Office

Production:

Editorial content is edited, 

prepared and provided by the 

USU Office of External Affairs 

unless otherwise indicated. 

The Newsletter staff may 

include or exclude articles 

based upon news value, 

impact on the university and 

space availability. 

Submissions: 

The USU Newsletter will be 

published bi-weekly on Mondays. The deadline for submissions is at 4 p.m. Friday 

prior to the publication date. 

Submissions can be sent to 

usunewsletter@usuhs.mil or 

by calling 301 295-3338. 

Cover photo:

MC2 Chad Hallford

USU Volunteers 

tend to sore feet

Air Force 2nd Lt. Meredith Maggion, 

tends to a participant of the Avon Walk 

for Breast Cancer in Washington, D.C., 

May 2-3. Maggion is a second-year Uniformed Services University of the Health 

Sciences medical student who is also a 

member of the Family Medicine Interest 

Group. Sixteen USU FMIG volunteers 

gave hands-on medical care to more 

than 3,000 participants of the Washington, D.C., portion of the Avon Walk for 

Breast Cancer. 

Photo by MC2 Chad Hallford

Marching through time

by Christine Creenan

Learning from Soldiers past, the 

USU students marched across the Antietam National Battlefield April 30. They 

heard tales of heroism and sacrifice 

that left 23,000 dead or wounded in the 

bloodiest one-day battle in American 

history.

Treading the storied fields where 

history was made, the future medical 

officers came to understand, how from 

grave tragedy, much would be gained in 

the advancement of military medicine.

“Antietam was the first test of the 

Letterman system,” a Civil War reenactor 

told the group. Army Maj. John Letterman is known today as the “Father of 

Battlefield Medicine.” Setting up field 

hospitals and establishing principles of 

triage, Letterman’s medical procedures 

saved thousands of lives.

Standing in front of the reenactor’s 

table filled with medical supplies, University students saw common tools of the 

trade.

To survive gunshot wounds, the 

war fighter required immediate attention. 

In a time when not much was known 

about germ theory, a rudimentary 

blade – known as the catlin – was used 

to perform amputations on wounded 

Union and Confederate Soldiers. 

Once surgery was complete, cotton or 

even horse hair was used to dress the 

wound.

“Before coming to Antietam, I 

didn’t have a whole lot of knowledge 

about what took place during the Civil 

War,” said Navy Ensign Scott Story. 

“So far, I’ve learned a lot about the 

different types of medical treatments 

available back then.”

The first-year School of Medicine and Graduate School of Nursing 

students continued their adventure 

through time.

“You are now in the famous 

Dunker Church,” said Navy Capt. 

Trueman Sharp, chairman, Department of Military and Emergency 

Medicine.

German pacifists occupied 

the modest house of worship at the 

battlefield until it was converted into 

a temporary medical aid station. Here, 

PAGE 2 See ANTIETAM, Page 3
by MC2 Chad Hallford

Curious if information displayed 

on your campus desktop is being 

viewed by unwanted intruders? As the 

DoD rolls out the Host Based Security System, or HBSS, a new desktop 

intrusion detection system, additional 

software will soon be received on 

campus to help prevent such attacks.

“This brand new DoD enterprise 

application, HBSS, is mandatory to be 

implemented by Oct. 2009,” said Joel 

Robertson, training coordinator and 

USU Information Technologies, or IT, 

security expert.

According to the Defense Information Systems Agency, under the 

sponsorship of the Enterprise-wide 

Information Assurance and Computer 

Network Defense Solutions Steering 

Group, the HBSS solution will be attached to each host, including servers, 

desktops and laptops in the DoD.

ANTIETAM

Continued from Page 2

Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences students march through the Antietam 

National Battlefield, April 30 to gain a better understanding of military medical history.

from their USU professors and from 

special guest speakers. Far removed 

from the traditional classroom, the 

annual road march brought to life the 

stories usually left in history books.

“Just like it’s more effective to 

a truce was formed between opposing 

sides to exchange the wounded and 

bury the dead.

Twice as many Soldiers died 

from disease than from enemy fire, 

Sharp told the students seated on 

wooden pews inside the reconstructed 

church. Treatable infections of today, 

such as measles and dysentery, ravaged Civil War troops and were the 

most prolific killers of the war.

The devastation caused by one 

such infection was illustrated by 

Sharp, who shared the words of a 

Confederate patient, “The disease that 

seemed to break down the willpower 

more than any other was chronic diarrhea, and the patients seemed not only 

to lose the desire to live but all manliness and self-respect. They whined 

and died in spite of all we could do.”

Over the course of the six-mile 

trek, students continued to be regaled 

with lessons of wartime casualty, both 

PAGE 3

Photo by MC2 Chad Hallford

USU Commencement

The 2009 USU commencement ceremony will take place 

on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, 

May 16 at 11 a.m. at the Daughters of the American Revolution 

Constitution Hall. There will be 

a rehearsal at the DAR Constitution Hall from 9 a.m. to noon, 

May 15. The buses for rehearsal 

will depart from the USU flag 

pole at 8 a.m. For directions, go 

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

The timetable for personnel will be sent in the future. 

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

for enlisted support and can be 

contacted at 295-9556 or salee@

usuhs.mil. You may also contact 

Jeffrey Swope at 295-4796 or 

jswope@usuhs.mil. 

learn anatomy on a cadaver rather than 

from a textbook, the Antietam experience really puts into perspective the 

evolution of military medicine in ways 

lecture alone can’t,” said Army 2nd Lt. 

B.J. McCollum.

“HBSS is utilized to manage 

desktop systems, detect attacks against 

DoD systems, remove malware, 

spyware and viruses, monitor traffic 

— good or bad, and identify it,” said 

Robertson. “It also includes built-in 

firewall protection.”

Robertson said HBSS is in the 

test phase and will be deployed on 

campus within the next 30 days.

“For the most part, we have 

the network secure, but the DoD has 

found that as hackers have become 

more crafty, able to bypass some 

defenses, this is a step, another way 

of defending at the desktop, with little 

or no interruption to the user,” said 

Robertson.

Concerned about vulnerability at 

home or elsewhere? Robertson recommends pursuing similar-end-point, 

commercial-off-the-shelf products 

available from various software companies.

Technology Watch: Host Based Security System
PAGE 4

USU’s Office of Continuing Health Education 

awarded a five-year APA accreditation

by André Nicholson

As a provider of continuing 

education credits for six professional 

groups, the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences Office 

of Continuing Health Education, or 

CHE, was awarded a five-year accreditation by the American Psychological 

Association. 

The CHE serves the U.S. federal 

health care delivery system globally. 

It uniquely provides continuing education credits for psychologists, physicians, nurses, social workers, pharmacists and health care executives.

This most recent five-year 

accreditation by the APA enables 

the university to continue awarding 

credits to psychologist participants at 

educational events. These credits are 

required for maintenance of licensure 

for the individual to practice in their 

respective state. The ability to provide 

CE credits is not only valued by the 

participants, but is widely recognized 

as a hallmark of a high-caliber educational institution.

Sylvia Scherr, RN, director of 

Continuing Education for Health 

Professionals, worked closely with 

APA. Along with an administrative 

team, she met with the APA to ensure 

complete fulfillment of all accreditation requirements in the areas where 

credit is awarded to psychologists.

“Although this accreditation is 

not rare, we are honored to have been 

awarded the five years,” said Scherr. 

“We are particularly proud of this 

achievement, because it follows on 

the heels of an exemplary accreditation for physicians and nurses of six 

years each.”

More than 150 organizations 

across the United States, Canada and 

Europe are approved providers and 

provide educational events routinely, 

she said. 

However, the APA Continuing 

Education Sponsor Approval System 

does not approve individual submissions, only organizations. In order to 

be an approved sponsor, the organization must submit an application and 

successfully meet the APA standards 

and criteria. 

As the CHE director, Scherr is 

responsible for ensuring the criteria is 

met, changes are noted as they occur, 

and fees are paid, just to name a few. 

All are done while complying with the 

established timeline.

“I’m very proud of our CHE 

team in achieving this exemplary accreditation,” said CAPT Jaime Luke, 

NC, USN, senior executive director 

of CHE. “It demonstrates incredible 

teamwork, but more importantly, it 

will help our military and federal 

health care providers care for our 

active-duty military beneficiaries, 

particularly our wounded heroes and 

service members returning from deployments.”

Words of 

wisdom

Dr. James Smirniotopoulos 

was the featured lecturer at 

the 65th Annual George W. 

Holmes lecture April 17. He 

is a professor and chair of 

the Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences and professor in the 

Department of Neurology. 

His lecture was on Tuberous Sclerosis, Sturge-Weber 

and von Hippel Lindau 

syndromes.

Courtesy photo
PAGE 5

by Staff Sgt. Matthew Rosine

The USU recognized 16 outstanding servicemembers 

for their hard work, dedication and service during a Brigade Awards ceremony, April 17.

Retired Army Brig. Gen. William Bester, vice president for distributed learning and acting vice president of 

external affairs, and Air Force Col. Ken Tashiro presented 

the awards.

“This is a great day,” said Bester. “This morning we 

will recognize some of the officers and enlisted personnel 

that support our organization and contribute to the success 

of our mission.”

The recipients earned a variety of awards from the 

Defense Superior Service Medal and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal to the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and a Letter of Commendation. 

As part of the ceremony, the USU Color Guard 

Member of the Quarter and the USU Servicemember of the 

Quarter were named. 

Servicemembers awarded during the Brigade Awards 

Ceremony were: 

-Navy Capt. Kenneth W. Schor with the Defense 

Superior Service Medal 

-Air Force Col. Gary C. Martin with the Defense 

Superior Service Medal

-Navy Lt. Cmdr. Michael J. Kemper with the Defense 

Meritorious Service Medal

-Army Master Sgt. William S. Vernon with the Defense Meritorious Service Medal

-Army Maj. Kevin J. Leary with the Joint Service 

Commendation Medal

-Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Adam N. Race with 

the Joint Service Commendation Medal and with the Joint 

Service Achievement Medal

-Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Careese Charles with 

the Joint Service Commendation Medal and with the Joint 

Service Achievement Medal

-Army Capt. Sean F. Tyler with the Joint Service 

Achievement Medal

-Air Force Maj. Glenn Burns with the Joint Service 

Achievement Medal

-Army Maj. Rebecca Luria with the Joint Service 

Achievement Medal and again with the Joint Service 

Achievement Medal for her service while being an Army 

captain. 

-Air Force Tech. Sgt. Scott M. Beauchamp with the 

Joint Service Achievement Medal

-Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Catrina J. Redfield 

with the Joint Service Achievement Medal

-Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Chad A. Hallford 

with the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal

-Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Brian C. Politi with a 

Letter of Commendation

-Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Ruben Valenzuela 

was recognized as the Color Guard Member of the 

Quarter

-Air Force Tech. Sgt. Louella Campbell was recognized as the Service Member of the Quarter

USU recognizes outstanding servicemembers

Photo by HM2 Michael Oliver

Servicemembers pose for a picture following the Uniformed 

Services University of Health Sciences Brigade Awards 

ceremony April 17. Sixteen servicemembers were recognized 

during the ceremony . Shown in the picture by last name only:

Top row:Martin, Burns, Hallford, Kemper

Middle row:Vernon, Luria, Charles, Beauchamp

Front row:Schor, Tyler, Valenzuela, Race, Campbell

DoD requires prompt filing 

of travel vouchers

Courtesy of Financial Management Group

Through the hustle and bustle of traveling, trying 

to decide what to pack or what to take on an airplane 

makes it easy to forget something. 

But, one thing that cannot be forgotten is that the 

Department of Defense requires travelers to file a settlement voucher within five duty days of completion of the 

trip.

This requirement is important for two reasons: The 

traveler will be paid promptly as will the Government 

Travel Card contractor, thereby reducing the number 

of delinquent accounts in DOD; and the USU’s travel 

See VOUCHER, Page 6
by MC2 Chad Hallford

The USU was recognized as one of 141 employers 

nationwide that show extra sensitivity to bereaved employees following the death of a child, according to The Compassionate Friends, or TCF. The Compassionate Friends is 

the nation’s largest self-help bereavement organization with 

more than 600 chapters serving all 50 states, Washington, 

D.C., and Puerto Rico. 

The recognition plaque was presented to University 

leadership April 17 during an awards program for military 

servicemembers.

The USU was among those selected in 2009 “for going above and beyond the normal policies of most companies in helping their employees when the death of a child 

occurred.” Air Force Tech. Sgt. Louella Campbell, who 

is assigned to the USU department of psychiatry, lost her 

daughter - one of a pair of paternal twins - shortly after she 

was born in November 2007. 

“I put them in for this award because my department 

was extremely flexible with my schedule, taking time off, 

leave and my situation of still having a newborn,” Campbell said. “They really did everything they could so I could 

spend time in the (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). They also 

really did their best to help me overcome the emotional 

triggers that impacted me whether it was six months or a 

year later - that’s very important in the grieving process.” 

Campbell attended her first meeting for grieving parents the year following the loss of her daughter. The TCF 

assists families seeking positive resolution of grief following the death of a child of any age and provides information 

to help others be supportive. Campbell nominated USU for 

selection because the University made significant strides to 

ensure she had the resources and time needed to begin the 

healing process following grief.

“I had been pursuing individual counseling through 

Military One Source, then through Navy medical,” said 

Campbell, but she said she felt she needed something more 

personally satisfying. “I thought maybe one-on-one counseling was not going to help me, and my husband had not 

been pursuing counseling either,” said Campbell. “It sounds 

budget balances will be more accurate. The requirement also 

applies to department representatives who invite travelers from outside organizations. If someone is invited to the 

University, be sure to follow up with the individual to obtain 

a voucher as soon as the trip has ended.

It is also extremely important to remember to cancel 

PAGE 6

USU receives Compassionate Employer recognition

From left to right: Col. Kenneth Tashiro, Jo Ann Gellman, Lt. 

Col. David Benedek, Robert Hahn, Retired Army Brig. Gen. Willliam Bester. Gellman and Hahn presented The Compassionate 

Friends Employer Award to USU, April 17.

VOUCHER

Continued from Page 5

Photo by HM2 Michael Oliver

a travel order promptly if the trip is not being taken. If the 

invited traveler cannot make the trip, make sure the department cancels the order. Unfortunately, the University loses 

several thousand dollars every year due to travelers and departments not canceling orders in a timely manner for travel 

not performed. These are funds that could have been used 

for other essential projects. With everyone’s cooperation we 

can get the biggest bang for our buck. 

strange, but I was excited when we found that there was a 

monthly support group in the city of Frederick, were we 

live. I knew it was going to be helpful — it really was. We 

walked in and we were surrounded by people who were in 

the same boat, who had experienced the same thing.”

Ms. Jo Ann Gellman, from TCF’s Potomac Maryland 

Chapter and Mr. Robert Hahn of the Frederick Chapter 

of The Compassionate Friends bestowed USU the award, 

alongside Campbell.

Retired Army Brig. Gen. William Bester, acting vice 

president of external affairs, and Air Force Col. Dr. Kenneth Tashiro, commandant, F. Edward Hébert School of 

Medicine, accepted the award on behalf of USU. 

“Speaking on behalf of USU president Dr. Charles 

Rice, we are honored to have been recognized by TCF for 

our response to employees dealing with difficult family 

issues,” said Bester. “Our faculty and staff give every day 

to ensure the safety and well being of their country and all 

U.S. citizens. For us to allow them the necessary time to 

grieve, when they are suffering such a personal loss, is simply one way we can demonstrate our appreciation for their 

commitment and service.”
Helpdesk Closure: The UIS helpdesk is closed for training on Thursdays from 10 to 11 a.m. During this time, 

you can leave a voicemail message at 295-9800, utilize 

the HEAT Self Service (http://www.usuhs.mil/uis/forms/

trouble.html), or email help@usuhs.mil. If an emergency 

should arise, please call 295-9870.

Personal Exercise/Fitness Areas: Physical Fitness 

training should be conducted in designated areas. The 

only authorized space for PT within the university is 

room G060. All other spaces within the university are 

not authorized for exercise or fitness, with the exception 

of the Student Community Lounge area during specified 

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

base at the Comfort Zone Complex, or CZC, in building 

23. The CZC hours of operation are Monday – Friday 

from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on weekends and holidays from 

are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

2009 Field Exercises: Operations Bushmaster and Kerkesner will be conducted from July 7-24 at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa. Advance personnel will deploy on July 7 

and main body personnel will deploy on July 12. These 

exercises are unique to our university and require the support of all university uniformed personnel. Only emergency leave will be granted during this time frame as there 

are more than 145 uniformed personnel needed to support 

this mission.

Proper Use of Computer Resources: Security incidents continue to be a drain to limited USU Information 

Assurance manpower. The following highlight current 

DoD policy and best practices: Personnel must not install 

self-coded or non-licensed software on network resources; 

add, remove, configure, or attempt to modify USU computer operating systems or programs; move audio/visual or 

network cables, computers or attempt to connect personal 

computers to the network including MDL and lecture hall 

spaces; connect personal devices except for those previously authorized by UIS; download pornographic material and 

store or display offensive material, such as racist literature, 

sexually harassing or obscene language or material; store or 

process classified information on any USU system; permit 

unauthorized individuals access to a government-owned 

or government-operated system or program; access online 

gambling, games and social engineering sites.

Military Awards Nominations: The next military awards 

panel will convene May 26. Nomination packages will be 

due through the chain of command no later than May 19. 

Any award with higher precedence than the Defense Meritorious Service Medal must be submitted 150 days prior 

to presentation. Please provide a signed copy as well as an 

electronic version to Air Force Tech. Sgt. Louella Campbell 

at (301) 295-1515 or lcampbell@usuhs.mil or HM2 Sylvia 

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

PAGE 7

www.williamiii.com

Photo by HM2 Sylvia McBee

Caption contest

Test your skills and write the best caption for this photo to win 

this edition’s gift certificate for a free large coffee and doughnut 

courtesy of William III. The best caption wins and the top three, 

as judged by the USU Newsletter staff, will be printed in the next 

edition.

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