USU Newsletter 

VOLUME 2,ISSUE 15 WWW.USUHS.MIL SEPTEMBER 17, 2007 

In This Issue 

Topping Out Building E.....................2 

Integration .............................................3 

Nipah Virus.............................................3 

SGT Frezzell Brewer.............................4 

Commissioning Ceremony................5 

Child Soldiers.........................................6 

USU Picnic...............................................7 

Quarterly Awards Ceremony...........8 

Hispanic American Heritage............8 

Navy Surgeon General......................9 

USU-Tube Contest...........................10 

USU News Briefs................................11 

USU Calendar of Events.............Back 

Topping Out of Building E........................page 2 
USU Newsletter 

Editorial Staff 

Carol R. Scheman 

Vice President for 

External Affairs and 

Managing Editor 

Tech. Sgt. 

André Nicholson 

Editor 

Mass Communications 

Third Class 

Jeffrey Hopkins 

Assistant Editor 

Mass Communications 

Specialist 

Seaman 

Raul Zamora 

Assistant Editor 

 

Sharon Willis 

Contributing Writer 

Marla Wright 

Webmaster 

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 call 

301-295-3925. 

PAGE 2 

Cover Photo By: 

Tom Balfour 

 Faculty, staff, students and guests got a chance to 

witness history in the making during the Building E 

“Topping Out” Ceremony, Aug. 27. For almost a year 

the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) has worked through the sounds of jack 

hammers, drills and metal sheets banging against 

steel beams that form the skeleton of Building E. 

 “Since October 23 of last year, our construction 

project has made visible progress,” said Charles L. 

Rice, M.D., university president. “During ten months 

of construction, we have progressed from excavating 800 dump trucks of soil to pouring more than 

one million pounds of concrete for the ground floor 

slabs.” 

 The construction company chosen to build USU’s 

Building E is the John C. Grimberg Company. 

 “Upon the selection to construct Building E, the 

John C. Grimberg Company took a most significant 

step to ensure the success of this project,” said Mary 

Dix, special assistant to the USU president. “Mr. Rob 

Minx, John C. Grimberg Company, superintendent, 

has proven to be the essential source of knowledge 

that makes the rest of us look good. With 33 years of 

construction experience, Mr. Minx is a man who 

knows exactly what needs to be done then ensures 

that it is completed appropriately.” 

 Prior to the ceremony USU personnel were given 

the opportunity to sign the final beam, which would 

be placed at the highest point of the structure. During the ceremony, the final beam, which also held a 

miniature pine tree and an American flag, was 

hoisted to the top of the structure, completing the 

building’s basic frame. 

 The beam and the tree are part of one of the construction industry's oldest customs, the topping out 

of a completed project. The origin of the “Topping 

Out” ceremony can be traced to the development of 

human shelter. 

 Europe was once covered with vast forests; those 

who inhabited the forest were dependent on trees 

for their survival. The full, low-hanging boughs provided shelter, the nuts and fruits furnished food, and 

the fallen dead wood supplied kindling for fires. Because of this great dependence on the forest, people 

began to revere trees. 

 Early humans began constructing their shelter 

with wood. Before cutting a tree, they would formally address the forest reminding it of the consideration they had always shown toward the trees, 

and ask the forest spirits to grant the use of a tree for 

the construction of their home. 

 When a house was complete, the topmost leafy 

branch of the tree used would be set atop the roof 

so that the tree spirit would not be rendered homeless. The gesture was supposed to convince the tree 

spirit of the builder’s sincere appreciation. 

 As time passed, the early practice of tree worship 

gradually changed. The individual tree spirits 

merged into a single forest god who could pass 

freely from tree to tree. Trees were no longer placed 

atop the home to appease spirits, but rather to elicit 

the blessings of the forest god. The tree branches 

on top of the home ensured fertility of the land and 

the home. 

 The custom of placing a tree on a completed 

structure came with immigrants to the United States 

and became an integral part of American culture in 

barn-raisings and housewarmings. 

 Today, the custom is continued most frequently 

on completed structures such as bridges and skyscrapers. Ironworkers have carried on the topping 

out tradition and consider it to be their own. While 

others join the celebration of topping out, it is the 

ironworkers and their skills that make them first to 

reach the pinnacle of a structure, and it is around 

this group of workers that topping out revolves. 

 “Amid all of the on-going construction efforts, I 

am most pleased to note and compliment the Grimberg Company in maintaining a status of no reported injuries or accidents to date. A commendable 

achievement,” Dr. Rice said. 

 “I want to recognize the support of the Naval 

Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) at both, 

Bethesda and Washington Navy Yard, and our facilities, contracting and multimedia design staff for their 

consummate professionalism,” said Ms. Dix. “When 

the Grimberg leadership informed me of their choice 

for superintendent on the Building E construction 

project they told me that they were assigning the 

best, and thank goodness they did so.” 

USU Celebrates Topping Out of New Facility 

By MCSN Raul Zamora 

Assistant Editor Office of External Affairs 

Photo by Tom Balfour 

(Left to right) retired CAPT Larry Laughlin, Navy, 

dean, USU’s School of Medicine; Dr. Charles L. Rice, 

USU president; retired BG William Bester, Army, acting dean, USU’s Graduate School of Nursing, sign 

the final beam which marks the highest point of 

USU’s up and coming Building E.
PAGE 3 

 A collaborative team of scientists from 

the Uniformed Services University of the 

Health Sciences (USU) and the Australian 

Animal Health Laboratory have demonstrated an important biological feature of 

the deadly Nipah virus that can infect and 

kill both animals and humans. 

 In the cover article of the Sept. 15 edition of the Online Journal of Infectious Diseases, published ahead of print on Aug. 14, 

Dr. Christopher Broder, professor of Microbiology and Immunology at USU, along 

with his Australian colleagues, reported the 

first experimental evidence that Nipah virus 

can be vertically transmitted in cats, a naturally infected animal host which also consistently exhibits characteristic disease pathology caused by Nipah virus. An accompanying editorial commentary further highlighting the importance of their findings is 

published in the same issue. 

 Earlier work by this same group of investigators developed a vaccine based on a 

component of the virus known as the G 

glycoprotein which demonstrated complete protection from infection by Nipah 

virus in the cat model. These results were 

reported in the December 2006, No.27 

issue of the Journal of Virology. 

 Nipah virus and its closely related cousin 

Hendra virus (henipaviruses) are recently 

emerged viral pathogens and both agents 

are restricted to the highest level of containment; biosafety level (BSL)-4 and considered to be potential biological terror 

agents. Hendra virus emerged in Queensland, Australia, in 1994, killing one human 

and 14 horses and it was responsible for at 

least four other sporadic outbreaks involving horses and humans between 1994 and 

2006. Nipah virus emerged in 1998-1999 

in Malaysia, resulting in the death of more 

than 100 people and the culling of more 

than one million pigs. Since then, several 

Nipah virus outbreaks have been reported 

between 2001 and 2007 taking greater 

than 80 lives in Bangladesh and India and 

these more recent outbreaks have involved 

person-to-person transmission and have 

demonstrated a higher incidence of acute 

respiratory distress syndrome and higher 

case-fatality rates between 60%-75%. 

 The current study, supported by the 

Middle Atlantic Regional Centers of Excellence and the National Institutes of Health, 

has important implications for the mechanisms of Nipah virus spread among animal 

populations and humans. The results affirm 

observations with Hendra virus in horses, 

guinea pigs, and bats that demonstrate 

that henipaviruses can replicate to high 

titers in both adult and fetal tissues, indicating that both horizontal and vertical routes 

of transmission can play a role in spillover 

events. They also suggest a possible role 

for cats in Hendra and Nipah virus outbreaks that has yet to be fully investigated. 

Scientists demonstrate 

Transmission of deadly 

Nipah Virus 

 The notion that the new entity in Bethesda would become a 

“World Class Academic Health Center” was discussed by the senior leaders of the Pentagon from the moment that the BRAC decision to consolidate the Walter Reed and Bethesda medical centers 

was announced. One leader proposed that it should be patterned after Johns Hopkins or Mayo medical centers. Certainly 

MG Kenneth Farmer, RADM Adam Robinson, Maj. Gen. Thomas 

Travis, and Dr. Charles L. Rice, the four National Capitol Area 

(NCA) flag officers, envisioned a major military medical referral, 

teaching and research center that would be greater than the sum 

of its parts. The vision that they proposed, which has been revalidated on several occasions, is based on an academic health center. 

 Recently, as the top leadership of the Department of Defense 

(DOD) and the uniformed services met to make decisions about 

the nature of the JTF Commander, Deputy Secretary of Defense 

England clearly stated that the new command in the National 

Capitol Area was to be an Academic Health Center with world 

class patient care, world class education, and world class research. 

 But what is an Academic Health Center? As we have worked 

to make it a reality it has become clear that the term means different things to different individuals. I have been asked to write this 

article to assist us in envisioning a common goal. It is difficult to 

plan on how to get there if we don’t agree on where we are going. Let’s first start by looking at the three words that make up the 

term: 

Center: A place where things come together, or something in the 

middle of a larger enterprise, a collection of expertise. 

Health: Often used in place of “medical” to connote a broader 

meaning to include: clinical care, education, research, training, 

health promotion, disease and injury prevention, and health policy development. 

Academic: Associated with academia. Institutional accreditation 

and degree granting authorities beyond individual program certifications. Implies a scholarly approach to its complex missions, 

maintaining an atmosphere of hypothesis testing that leads to 

problem solving and continuous improvement. 

 While these thoughts help us to focus on the meaning of 

“Academic Health Center,” they are still very open to individual 

interpretation. So let’s be more scholarly, as the term implies, and 

turn to the literature. 

 In a recent Cambridge University Press publication, The Academic Health Center - Leadership and Performance, David Blumenthal, M.D., M.P.P., writes a chapter entitled, Academic health 

centers: current status, future challenges. In it he states, 

“Academic health centers consist of medical schools and their 

closely affiliated or owned clinical facilities and professional 

schools. There are roughly 125 such complexes in the United 

States. Parent institutions wholly own some of these institutions 

(e.g., University of Pennsylvania Health System; Johns Hopkins 

University Health System; University of California San Diego; University of Virginia). Other AHCs consist of close affiliations between medical and other health professional schools and independent nonprofit and for-profit clinical entities (e.g., Harvard 

Medical School and its clinical affiliates; Washington University 

and the BJC Health System; Columbia and Cornell Medical Schools 

and the New York–Presbyterian Health System).” 

He goes on to point out that: 

1. AHCs perform nearly 30 percent of all the health care research 

and development in the United States and more than 50 percent 

of research supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). 

2. AHCs train the great majority of the nation’s allopathic medical 

students and nearly half its residents and interns. 

3. AHCs provide large amounts of specialized, costly services (such 

as burn, transplant, and trauma care). 

4. AHCs play major roles as safety net institutions caring for poor 

and uninsured patients in their communities. 

 AHCs are uniquely suited to conIntegration~ as I see it 

By Dr. Vernon Schinski 

Special Assistant to the USU President for BRAC Integration 

See INTEGRATION, page 4 
PAGE 4 

duct clinical research that enables the innovation of clinical care. 

 The Association of Academic Health Centers states that, “An 

academic health center consists of an allopathic or osteopathic 

medical school, one or more other health profession schools or 

programs (such as allied health, dentistry, graduate studies, nursing, pharmacy, public health, veterinary medicine), and one or 

more owned or affiliated teaching hospitals, health systems or 

other organized health care services. 

 In an Institute of Medicine report entitled Academic Health 

Centers: Leading Change in the 21st Century, we find a number of 

quotes that help us understand the various roles of academic 

Health Centers (AHCs). 

In regard to patient care we find: 

 In general, current approaches to care are reactive, involving 

treating patients when they present with symptoms through a 

series of sporadic interventions that are predominantly physician 

directed. To address the changing needs of people and exploit 

technological advances, 21st century health care will need to be 

more proactive, interactive with patients, and evidence based. 

In regard to education we find: 

The AHC role in education in the 21st century will require more 

than direct training of health professionals. AHCs will be expected 

to demonstrate leadership in the design and development of educational approaches for health professionals throughout the continuum of education. Doing so will require much more than curricular reform, requiring consideration of how the clinical settings 

in which students are trained reinforces the attributes desired of 

health professionals in the 21st century. 

In regard to research we find: 

 In the coming decades, continued scientific discoveries and 

advances will require that AHCs continue their work in basic science research and discovery, as well as developing and refining 

the evidence base for health care by: 

 Encouraging studies that embrace the continuum from animals 

to humans to experimental models. 

 Increasing the emphasis on clinical research in order to translate new discoveries into clinical practice and evaluate current 

clinical practices, thereby answering questions about what does 

and does not work in health care. 

 Increasing emphasis on health services research in order to 

improve understanding of the effectiveness and costs of care, especially the impact of new discoveries on the costs of care and 

treatment patterns. 

 Increasing emphasis on prevention and population research in 

order to improve understanding of how to identify and reduce 

health risks, as well as the linkages between personal and population health. 

So what have we learned? 

 Medicine still stands on three legs: clinical care, education, and 

research and the Academic Health Center is where these three 

areas of emphasis come together, and are joined with a wide variety of health-related enterprises. 

 While Academic Health Centers may have different forms to 

meet the needs of their population, they are organized to create a 

system that incorporates a variety of health related entities which 

collectively utilize and magnify each other’s strengths. 

 The scholarly approach of the University needs to play a central 

role in pulling the pieces together and insuring an atmosphere of 

hypothesis testing for improvement. 

 As a center of expertise, the Academic Health Center automatically becomes the referral center. 

 Not only do the educational and research roles keep the clinical care at the cutting edge of medicine, the Academic Health 

Center is the place where modeling is done for the future of 

health care, health promotion, and health policy. 

 If we add to this what we understand as our special roles and 

expertise related to warrior care, and military medical readiness, I 

believe we can begin to come to a common understanding of 

where we want to go in the development of a world class Academic Health Center, and why we want to go there. Not only will 

the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center become the focal point for the consolidated health care delivery system in the 

National Capitol area, but it will become the model for military 

health care in the future. 

INTEGRATION, from page 3 

 The Uniformed 

Services University 

of the Health Sciences (USU) staff 

members come 

from all walks of 

life, from medical 

technicians to media specialists. SGT 

Frezzell Brewer, 

USA, 25V20, Multimedia Production 

Specialist, works in 

the Multimedia Design Center. 

 Brewer was born 

and raised in Woodside, New York. 

 “I come from an education oriented family, who believed that we had to have education to be successful,” he said. 

 His mother, was born in North Carolina 

and his father was born in Georgia but 

raised in New York. They were both nursing technicians. 

 Even though his parents were not military, his family was already familiar with 

military life. 

 Brewer’s great grandfather served in 

World War II, as a sailor and had two uncles who were also in the military, one being a soldier and the other a Marine. 

 Brewer’s first choice was to become a 

Marine, unfortunately it did not work out. 

One day an Army recruiter saw me going 

towards the Marine recruiter and asked me 

why didn’t I join the Army, since I could 

pick my job, and here I am today.” 

 Brewer’s original plan was to become a 

medic and follow in his parents foot steps, 

“I wanted to go medical, go to school and 

become a physical therapist. But at the time 

the medical field was closed. I was ready to 

go home and wait for it to open up, But 

then they told me about video and I chose 

that direction.” 

 Brewer has been in the Army for 13 

years. “Growing up in New York, it was 

getting pretty bad, and I needed a way 

out,” he said. “I could have left and just 

gotten any other job, but the military really 

appealed to me. I wanted to join right out 

of high school, but I went to college for a 

year.” Brewer was left with a decision, go to 

school or go to the military? “How often 

can you find a job that pays for your education, and pays you to be trained for your 

job?” 

 Brewer’s assignments include March Air 

Force Base, Riverside, Calif.; Armed Forces 

Television Network, Moreno Valley, Calif.; 

Korea for combat documentation; Walter 

Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver 

Spring Valley, Md; Korea a second time; 

and USU. 

 “My favorite command so far is USU,” he 

said. “That’s because there isn’t many 

places that are tri-service. Here I met friends 

and co-workers who actually know what I 

do in the military, and once they learn 

what I do, they realize that you are an asset 

to the command.” 

 “As of now I am planning on making it a 

career. But if things don’t work out, I plan 

on staying around the area and pursue a 

video job,” he said. “But my goal is to stay 

in the Army.” 

 Brewer has been married for 12 years “I 

met my wife in New York right before I 

joined the military, and we have two awesome boys, Justin (10) and Jordan (6). We 

currently live in Middle River, Md.” 

Staff Profile: 

SGT Frezzell Brewer 

By MCSN Raul Zamora 

Assistant Editor, Office of External Affairs 

SGT Frezzell Brewer, 

USA, Multimedia 

Production Specialist 
PAGE 5 

 The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU,) 

has many opportunities for self-improvement. Students become 

doctors, staff and faculty have the opportunity to become mentors. 

 In a recent ceremony, one of USU’s former staff members, Jason Wright, was commissioned to the rank of Lieutenant Junior 

Grade. 

 In his enlisted capacity, Wright was a photographer for USU’s 

Multimedia Design Center. He earned his commission though the 

Health Services Collegiate Program 

 Commander Gina Trotter, the USU Brigade’s Executive Officer, 

led the commissioning ceremony. 

 “I understand how he feels because I started as an enlisted 

member,” she said. “It’s a tearing feeling because we ‘fall in love’ 

with the enlisted community we almost feel like we are leaving 

them behind. As an enlisted-to-commissioned officer, you never 

forget where your roots came from.” 

 HM1 later became Chief Petty Officer and continued his education, and now at his 14-year point, he received his commission. 

 “Now he can stay in the military for 40 years,” said Trotter jokingly. “Everyone grows up. It’s like when you start school, at first 

you are scared to go to school. Later you become more comfortable and begin to learn. Then you begin middle school or junior 

high and you become aware that you must do the best you can in 

your grades. Eventually high school comes around and you do 

your best to graduate and move on to bigger and better things. 

From there college becomes the next hurdle and the next step to 

your new life.” 

 “This is the biggest day in my time in the Navy,” said Wright. 

“It’s never too early or too late to become something great in your 

career. I had the Navy SEALS in mind at first but I also had many 

more goals in mind as well. It’s always Okay to challenge your 

goals.” 

 “There is no way I could have gotten to the place I am today 

without the help of Chief Wiley and several other people from all 

of the different services. Because of this opportunity, USU was the 

best duty station for me,” said Wright. 

From Hospital Corpsman 

to Lieutenant Junior Grade 

 The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences’ (USU) annual picnic provided USU staff, faculty, students, and 

their families with an afternoon of food and fun in the USU courtyard, Aug. 29. Among the activities featured were a talent 

competition, and a bounce-house for the children. The picnic also featured a dunk tank, which put the brigade leadership 

on the hot seat: CPT Timothy Gerlach, brigade headquarters company commander; CPT Nicholas Horton, Army company 

commander; LCDR Michael Kemper, Navy company commander; and CDR Gina Trotter, brigade executive officer, all took 

turns in the booth, providing picnic participants with a chance to “dunk the boss.” Also among the attractions were karaoke, 

cotton candy, and snow cones. 

USU Picnic a Big Success with Kids and Adults 

By MCSN Raul Zamora 

Assistant Editor. Office of External Affairs 

Photo by TSgt. James Steele Photo by MCSN Raul Zamora 

Photo by MC3 Jeff Hopkins 

(Left to Right) CDR 

Gina Trotter, USU 

Brigade’s Executive 

Officer; LTJG Jason 

Wright; Dr. Charles 

L. Rice, USU President. Wright receives the USU 

Commendable Service Award after his 

commissioning 

ceremony. 
PAGE 6 

 Research reported in a recent issue of the Annals of Emergency 

Medicine by two current faculty members of the Center for Disaster and Humanitarian Assistance Medicine (CDHAM) of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) was featured in the Aug. 29 episode of the Oprah Winfrey Show. 

 The show’s focus was on New Orleans two years after Hurricane Katrina hit the region. 

 USU CDHAM faculty, Dr. Lynn Lawry, associate director and 

director of Research, and Dr. Michael P. Anastario, research associate, studied the health of residents living in FEMA trailer parks in 

Louisiana and Mississippi to determine whether gaps in aid and 

health care services existed for this population. Their findings, 

referenced in the Oprah show and published in the March issue 

of AEM, determined that more than 85,000 people still remain 

displaced and living in FEMA trailers, and while food, water and 

shelter were generally adequate in these trailer parks, health services and mental health needs largely remain unaddressed. They 

also found that suicide and intimate partner violence rates were 

much higher than expected, with suicide rates 79 percent higher 

than the national average and depression seven times greater. 

 The Oprah episodes on Hurricane Katrina, and reference to the 

study are available for viewing at http://www2.oprah.com/world/

global/slide/20070829/global_284_109.jhtml. 

 USU’s Center for Disaster and Humanitarian Assistance Medicine was established to be the focal point for medical aspects of 

disaster relief and humanitarian assistance worldwide. The 

uniquely positioned academic center is actively developing relationships between governmental agencies, non-governmental 

agencies, and private volunteer organizations as a means of improving relief efforts. CDHAM uses training, technology, and best 

management practices to improve military medicine capabilities 

and readiness for humanitarian missions, especially in partnership 

with the inter-Agency process, the international medical community, and the host nation medical infrastructure and beneficiary 

populations. 

CDHAM Faculty Research 

Featured on Oprah Show 

 Donald R. Roberts, Ph.D., emeritus professor of tropical medicine at the Uniformed Services University of the Health 

Sciences (USU) has been named winner of 

the annual Frank Brown Berry Prize in federal health care for his persistent efforts 

and field studies on the controlled use of 

chemicals to prevent malaria. 

 The Berry Prize is co-sponsored by U.S. 

MEDICINE, and Delta Dental Federal Services, which is the administrator of the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program. An award of 

$10,000 accompanies the prize. 

 Dr. Roberts, a retired lieutenant colonel 

from the Army medical service corps, has 

spent a career researching malaria prevention, and despite the social implications of 

the issue, he came to understand through 

field studies how the controversial chemical 

DDT repels mosquitoes that carry the malaria parasite. During his time at the Walter 

Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) in 

Washington, D.C., from 1980 to 1984, and 

USU from 1984 to 2007, he worked to develop laboratory assays that significantly 

changed the way malaria is studied and 

how new chemicals are screened. And in 

his retirement, which began this summer, 

Dr. Roberts will continue in his advocacy 

work with the World Health Organization 

(WHO), the Gates Foundation and Africa 

Fighting Malaria in the hopes of continuing 

to change the public perception of DDT, a 

chemical that he says can help save millions 

of lives. 

 The Berry Prize, which is voted on by an 

independent panel of leading health care 

experts, was created in 1997 by the 

monthly publication, U.S. MEDICINE of 

Washington, D.C., to confer recognition on 

medical practitioners and researchers who 

work in the U.S. federal health care sector 

reaping little personal financial gain, but 

who rise above and beyond the call of duty 

to make outstanding medical research advancements and/or achievements in clinical care. The prize was named after Dr. 

Frank Brown Berry, the top medical officer 

of the Department of Defense for several 

years in the 1950s who exemplified this 

segment of individuals as a dedicated thoracic surgeon, compassionate physicians' 

advocate, founder of many surgical societies and by serving in two world wars and 

completing two residencies at a time when 

pursuing even one was not the norm. 

Malaria 

Researcher 

Wins Berry Award 

 Robert J. Ursano, M.D., professor and chair, Uniformed Services 

University of the Health Sciences’ (USU) Department of Psychiatry, 

and one of the nation’s leading experts on Posttraumatic Stress 

Disorder (PTSD), is co-author of an editorial titled “Children of War 

and Opportunities for Peace.” The article appears in the Aug. 1, 

2007 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association

(JAMA). 

 The editorial addresses global armed conflicts and children 

recruited or kidnapped to serve as soldiers in those conflicts. Vulnerable children are recruited into militias due to their emotional 

and physical immaturity. Many become refugees after being displaced and separated from family members. Once recruited, these 

children carry out various roles within the militias such as cooks, 

spies, human shields, and war fighters. 

 One study of 169 former child soldiers reported a high prevalence of PTSD at nearly 35%. Children who experienced more 

PTSD symptoms were less likely to be willing to reconcile and had 

a tendency to harbor more feelings of revenge toward those who 

harmed them. 

 Another study examined different types of trauma exposure 

and its association with violent and nonviolent means to achieve 

peace. Those with symptoms of PTSD were more likely to see violence as a means to achieve peace. 

 Dr. Ursano was invited by JAMA to write the editorial because 

of the groundbreaking work he and his team have done at the 

Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress (CSTS) which he directs. 

Dr. Ursano co-wrote the article with Jon A. Shaw, M.D., University 

of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, former chair of psychiatry at Walter Reed Army 

Medical Center. Dr. Shaw is a child psychiatrist and worked with 

child soldiers in Mozambique during a humanitarian deployment 

while serving in the Army. 

USU Psychiatrist Offers 

Insight to Child Soldiers 
PAGE 7 

 Students from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) gathered in the university’s amphitheater for 

the annual Presentation Ceremony. The medical students took the Hippocratic Oath, which was administered by Larry 

Laughlin, M.D., Ph.D., dean of the USU F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine (SOM). 

Photo by TSgt. James Steels 

Presentation Assembly 

 The following paragraphs are boilerplate statements that can 

be used in publications to describe the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in a uniform manner:

 1. USU educates health care professionals dedicated to career 

service in the Department of Defense (DoD) and the United States 

Public Health Service (USPHS). The university provides military and 

public health-relevant education, research, service, and consultation to the nation and the world, pursuing excellence and innovation during times of peace and war. Many of its graduates are 

supporting operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere, offering their leadership and expertise. Approximately one-fourth of all 

active-duty military medical officers are USU graduates. 

 2. The university grants the degrees of M.D., Ph.D., Dr.P.H., 

M.P.H., M.S., and M.S.N. USU is a traditional academic health center with a unique focus on health promotion and disease prevention. It also has a specialized mission of educating health care 

practitioners to deal with peace and wartime casualties, national 

disasters, emerging infectious diseases, and other public health 

emergencies. Applicants to the School of Medicine include civilians and uniformed military although upon matriculation civilians 

become uniformed military officers. Applicants to the Graduate 

School of Nursing include uniformed military and civilian federal 

employees (Ph.D. program only). 

 3. USU is a partner in planning and establishing the Walter 

Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC), a 21st century 

academic health institution. This new institution will provide quality health care, education, and research across all the services; 

closely collaborate with the National Institutes of Health and the 

U.S. Public Health Service writ large; and set a new standard for 

inter-governmental collaboration. USU will be the academic core 

of this new entity with WRNMMC as a premier teaching hospital 

and clinical care center serving the nation and our uniformed 

beneficiaries. 

Boilerplate Statements for descriptions of USU in publications 
 The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) 

held it’s Brigade Quarterly Awards Ceremony in the Sanford Auditorium, Sept. 7. 

 Three Defense Meritorious Service Medals were awarded to 

TSgt. Edmund Punzalan, USAF, user support specialist, LRC; SSgt. 

Dexter Webb, USA, MPO; LTC Jon Woods, MEM; 

 One Joint Service Commendation Medal was presented to LTC 

Daniel Hamilton, USA, radiation safety officer, EHS. 

 One Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal was 

awarded to HM1 Muhammad Hassan, USN, brigade adjutant, 

CMD. 

 Two Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medals were awarded to 

HM2 Oluseyi Fatami, USN, AFRRI; and HM2 Ruben Valenzuela, 

USN, MEM. Valenzuela was also awarded a Letter of Commendation. 

 Six Joint Service Achievement Medals were presented to LTC 

Patrick O’Malley, USA, professor, MED; TSgt. Dewayne Moore, 

USAF; HM1 Julian Stewart, USN, MEM; TSgt. Tuyen Tran, USAF, 

program manager, MTN; SGT Lenearo Ashford, USA, LOG; and 

SGT Pauline Sedano, USA, MEM. 

 Each quarter, one member of the USU Color Guard is recognized as standing out among their peers. The Color Guard member of the 2nd Quarter is SPC Walter Cruz, veterinary technician, 

LAM. 

 Headquarters company personnel compete quarterly for the 

honor of being the Service Member of the Quarter (SMOQ.) These 

individuals are selected for recognition because of their performance, contributions and military professionalism. SSgt Rachel 

Broussard, USAF, MTN; SGT Jeff McQuade, USA, NCOIC, Veterinary Division, LAM; and FC2 Adam Race, IT specialist, UIS, were 

the nominees for this quarters SMOQ. 

 In the end Broussard was selected as this quarter’s SMOQ. She 

received a Certificate of Appreciation, the Brigade Commander’s 

Coin, a 72 hour Liberty Pass, a reserved parking space, and a $50 

gift card to an outlet of her choosing. In addition she will compete 

for the Service Member of the Year for 2007. 

USU Holds Brigade 

Quarterly Awards Ceremony 

SPC Walter Cruz, 

LAM 

Color Guard of the 

Quarter 

SSgt Rachel Broussard, 

MTN 

Service Member of the 

Quarter 

By MCSN Raul Zamora 

Assistant Editor. Office of External Affairs 

 The Uniformed Services University of the 

Health Sciences (USU) is an institution that 

recognizes and celebrates the diversity of 

its staff, faculty, and students 

 Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 is National Hispanic 

Heritage Month. In celebration of the culture Hispanic Americans have brought to 

the nation, USU held a ceremony Sept. 11 

in the cafeteria entitled “Hispanic Americans: Making a Positive Impact on American Society.” 

 Coinciding with the sixth anniversary of 

the 9/11 terror attacks , the ceremony began on a somber note. Each table held a 

single, lit candle, and after a moment of 

silence in remembrance of the victims of 

the attack, one person at each table blew 

the candle out. 

 The ceremony’s keynote speaker, CAPT 

Roberto Quiñones Jr., MSC, USN, is a second generation Mexican American, born in 

El Paso, Texas. In 1969, Quiñones enlisted 

in the Navy as a hospital corpsman. Interestingly enough, during boot camp, he 

received a letter from his father, containing 

Quiñones’ draft notice from the Army. He 

was commissioned as an ensign in the 

medical service corps in December 1979. 

Currently, he is the commander of the Navy 

Medicine Manpower, Personnel, Training 

and Education Command. 

 Quiñones’ speech centered on the topic 

of diversity, and covered bias and stereotypes as well. Educated in a school system 

in which most of his classmates were Mexican American, Quiñones developed a passion for diversity. 

 “The very core of American democracy is 

a country founded on the promise of opportunity for all,” he said. 

 Quiñones illustrated the ill-effects of bias 

and stereotyping through several anecdotes throughout his speech. One such 

account was of a patient he was asked to 

deal with while serving as an IndependentDuty Corpsman at Naval Hospital, Long 

Beach, Calif. 

 “The ER doctor asked me to speak to a 

veteran that was sitting in the waiting 

room,” he said. “He was drug-seeking, and 

the doctor just wanted me to go out there 

and talk to him. Out in the waiting room, 

there was this little old gentleman, pretty 

smelly, you could tell he’d been on the 

street awhile. He said he was in a lot of 

pain, that he’d lost his medication and 

couldn’t get into the VA to be seen, and he 

was wondering if he could get some pain 

medication. He had a very distinct odor 

about him that I couldn’t put my finger on.” 

 “I went back to the doctor and told him I 

didn’t think I needed to treat him, but that 

there was something about him I couldn’t 

identify. The doc said to let him sit out 

there, and after a while he’d get tired and 

just go away.” 

 Later, as Quiñones and the doctor were 

preparing for a shift-switch, Quiñones noticed that the patient was still in the waiting 

room, waiting to be seen, and he brought 

this to the doctor’s attention. The doctor 

exasperatedly agreed to see the patient. 

 “Both of us walked in together, and the 

doctor said, very sarcastically, ‘What do you 

want?’ The man replied that he was having 

trouble with his prosthesis, and that it was 

giving him a lot of trouble,” Quiñones said. 

“He lifted up his pants leg, and you wouldn’t believe the cellulitis and the sores he 

had. The VA had ill-fitted his prosthesis, and 

it was infected and weeping, and I finally 

identified what the smell was.” 

 The two cleaned the man up, and took 

him down to the hospital’s orthopedics 

USU celebrates 

diversity through 

Hispanic American 

Heritage Month 

By MC3 Jeff Hopkins 

Assistant Editor, Office of External Affairs 

see, HISPANIC page 11 

PAGE 8 
 VADM Donald Arthur recently retired from the Navy during a 

ceremony at the National Navy Medical Center. 

 Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Mullen said Arthur’s contributions and achievements to his service made him stand out as 

a key player in Navy Medicine. It was an honor to celebrate an 

‘‘amazing career,” he said. 

 ‘‘If you would have known Don, you would have known he 

would have shined anywhere he was,” Mullen said. ‘‘Don is sort of 

a renaissance man. He has more degrees than a thermometer.” 

 “I truly don’t feel bad about leaving, I truly thank God for the 

opportunity to have been here in the first place,” Arthur said. ‘‘I 

have been able to fly — I have been able to dive. I have been 

given every opportunity to do anything. I have been truly honored to serve this Navy.” 

 Mullen compared Arthur’s medical career to the equivalence of 

the X-Games, referring to the Surgeon General’s affinity for motorcycles. Arthur was a dual qualified flight surgeon, undersea warfare officer and Navy-Marine Corps Parachutist and Jumpstart, 

Mullen said. 

 ‘‘Don is a passionate leader who cares and, when you drill 

down to it, that is what this is about — leadership, caring and passion,” Mullen said. ‘‘Don’s love for medicine is what drives his commitment to organizational efficiency, taking care of our warriors 

and medically supporting naval operations.” 

 VADM Adam Robinson, Jr., who replaced Arthur as the Navy’s 

newest Surgeon General, said it’s difficult to see Arthur go after 

‘‘many years of distinguished service to our country and such a 

rich and varied career.” 

 Mullen said Surgeon General Arthur focused on naval medical 

leadership and held leaders accountable for making ‘‘smarter enterprise decisions while we are at war.” 

 ‘‘I’m shocked to find myself in the position of having to follow 

in the shoes of such a great leader,” Robinson said. ‘‘I’d like to 

thank you for your many years of military service, your inspirational leadership and your heartfelt commitment to our country 

and those who defend her. 

Thank you for all you have 

done to lead Navy Medicine 

this far. You have made 

significant contributions at 

a very difficult time in our 

nation’s history and 

throughout a set of circumstances that are unprecedented in U.S. military history.” 

 ‘‘I suppose it all can be 

summarized by saying well 

done,” Mullen said. ‘‘Thank 

you for your dedicated service, I have no doubt that 

we will continue to hear 

from you when you ride, 

not towards the sunset but 

to a new sunrise.” 

 Arthur said he was 

thankful for the experiences and service to his 

country. He said he was 

privileged to serve with the 

U.S. Marine Corps in direct 

combat operations. Men 

and women of Navy Medicine can be very proud of 

what they do, he said. 

 ‘‘The best things about 

Navy Medicine is we never 

ask our patients how sick 

they can afford to be, all of our patients get the right care every 

single time and the best care,” Arthur said. ‘‘All of our patients are 

patriots. What better place to practice medicine?” 

 Robinson said Navy Medicine plays an active role during the 

‘‘unpredictable and protracted” Global War on Terrorism. 

‘ ‘The ultimate measure of service is not where you stand on 

moments of comfort and convenience, but in times of challenge 

and controversy,” Arthur said 

Navy Surgeon General Retires

By MC2 (AW) Nikki Carter 

Journal staff writer 

Former Navy Surgeon General 

VADM Donald Arthur salutes the 

sideboys as he exits his retirement 

ceremony. Chief of Naval Operations 

ADM Mike Mullen and new Navy 

Surgeon General VADM Adam Robinson, Jr., credited Arthur’s wife 

Bean for being the foundation for 

Arthur’s illustrious career. 

By MC2 (AW) Nikki Carter 

PAGE 9 

Another 

View of 

USU 

By MCSN Raul Zamora 

1. 

2. 

3. 

The American Cancer Society Retirement

 The American Cancer Society recently announced the retirement of Chief Medical Officer Harmon J. Eyre, M.D. and named 

Otis W. Brawley, M.D., as his successor. The chief medical officer is 

the society's most senior clinical staff position. Dr. Brawley, a practicing oncologist, most recently served as professor of Hematology 

and Oncology and Epidemiology at Emory University, as medical 

director of the Georgia Cancer Center for Excellence at Grady 

Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, and as deputy director for cancer 

control at Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University. Previously, 

Dr. Brawley served in a variety of capacities at the National Cancer 

Institute (NCI), with his most recent NCI position as that of director 

of the Office of Special Populations Research. 

New Department Chairs

 Col. Christopher Zahn, MC, USAF, will serve as interim chair, 

Department of Ob/Gyn until a formal academic search for a permanent chair has been completed. Dr. Zahn is a distinguished 

graduate of USU, the current GME program director and a long 

standing leader-scholar in the SOM. 

 CAPT Brian Monahan MC USN has been appointed interim 

chair, Department of Medicine until an academic chair search has 

been completed and the permanent chair assumes her/his duties. 

Dr. Monahan is a senior internist with vast experience in the practice of hematology and oncology. He is a long-standing member 

of our DOM, a prior GME program director, a dynamic clinical 

educator and an academic scholar in his own right. 

Safety Tips for the new Fiscal Year

 As we approach a new fiscal year I would like to remind everyone of some basic safety tips. Please do not place any items in 

front of fire extinguishers or electrical service panels as it violates 

the Base Fire Plan and several OSHA regulations. Also, storing 

things within 18 inches of the ceiling mounted fire suppression 

sprinkler heads is not allowed. If your storage location is in a 

room that does not have sprinkler heads the minimum height to 

maintain between the ceiling and stored materials is 36 inches. 

Also a little reminder about storage space. Large purchases of 

consumable supplies simply to spend end of year money is not 

desired or recommended. If there is no place to store them, excess supplies add to laboratory or office clutter. Please make purchases wisely with safety in mind. If we observe these safety tips 

we will have a safer place to learn and work. 

Navy-Wide Advancement Exams 

 The Navy will be conducting its semi-annual advancement exams in the USU Dining Facility on Sep. 20 from 6:45 to 11a.m. The 

cafeteria will be open for business, but please maintain low tones 

while en route to and from the cafeteria. 

Navy Uniform Shift 

 All Naval personnel within the Naval District Washington area 

will shift to winter uniforms Oct. 1. For E-7 and above, the uniform will be service dress blues or khakis; for E-6 and below, the 

uniform will be service dress blues or winter blues. BDUs will be 

worn with sleeves down. 

PFT/PFA/APFT Notice 

 The Army APFT, Navy PRT, and Air Force APFT will be conducted at 7a.m. and noon on the following dates: Oct. 3, 5, 10, 

12, 15, and 17 for all faculty, staff, and students (excluding SOM). 

Navy personnel must complete the Health Risk Assessment questionnaire and Physical Health Assessment annually; Navy weighins must be conducted between 10 days and 24 hours prior to the 

Navy PRT. For more info, contact SFC Abram, USA (MEM) at (301) 

319-8207. 

Command Access Card PIN Reset 

 USU Security now has a CAC Card PIN Reset system, which 

allows for PIN reset only. All other problems are handled at the 

NNMC Personnel Support Detachment. 

2008-2010 USU Catalog 

 The 2008-2010 USU Catalog (PDF version) is now available 

online at the following link: 

http://www.usuhs.mil/admissions.html. Printed copies are available in Admissions as well. 

2007 USU Phone Directory 

 The 2007 USU Phone Directory is available for pick up on from 

0830-1330 in the USU Mail Room. For more info, contact Ms. 

Yvonne Upshur at (301) 295-3035. 

Books for Fun 

 The Enlisted Social Committee is hosting a new book sale 

"Books for Fun" during normal business hours from Sept. 18 

through 19 in the Bldg B Lobby. All are encouraged to show their 

support. 

USNI Conference 

 The United States Naval Institute (USNI) is hosting a conference 

on military and Veteran’s health care Sept. 18 at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. The conference is entitled 

"How Can We Provide the Healthcare Our Military and Veterans 

Need and Deserve?" and is jointly sponsored by the USNI and the 

Military Officers Association of America. For details and registration info, go to 

http://www.usni.org/conferences/details.asp?id=5. 

USU News Briefs 

department to be set up with a new prosthesis. Later, Quiñones 

caught up with the doctor. 

 “I sat down next to him with a cup of coffee, and he said, ‘Don’t 

even say it. I will never do that again. I stereotyped the guy as a 

bum and a drug abuser, and failed to take care of him.’” 

 Quiñones went on to cite other examples of diversity, including 

not only race, but age groups and genders. 

 “During World War II, the Navy was having a lot of problems 

with its buildings and mechanics, and their answer to the problem 

was to recruit a bunch of construction workers and mechanics, 

and the Seabees were formed,” Quiñones said. “The joke around 

the Navy then was ‘be very nice to a Seabee; he could be your 

father,’ as Seabees were typically around 39 to 40 years old. But 

they were very well versed in the ways of the world, and brought 

years of experience to their work. Also very beneficial to the 

United States were the Navajo Code Talkers of World War II.” 

 Quiñones said that without cultural diversity, the nation could 

not possibly be where it is today. 

 “When an organization lacks diversity it misses out on all the 

unique tools different cultures have to offer,” Quiñones said. 

HISPANIC, page 8 

PAGE 11 
USU Calendar of Events 

16 17 

LRC Training 

Classes: PubMed 

Basics 

Register online at: 

http://training.lrc.us

uhs.mil/lib/training_

reg.php. Please call 

Nancy Morell at 

319-4039 or Linda 

Spitzer at 295-3357 

if you have questions. 

Noon-1p.m. 

or 

5p.m.-6p.m.

LRC 

18 19 20 

LRC Training 

Classes: EndNote 

Basics 

Register online at: 

http://training.lrc.u

suhs.mil/lib/trainin

g_reg.php. Please 

call Nancy Morell at 

319-4039 or Linda 

Spitzer at 295-

3357 if you have 

questions. 

Noon-1p.m. 

Or 

5p.m.-6p.m.

LRC 

Navy-Wide 

Advancement Exam 

6:45a.m.-11a.m.

USU Cafeteria

21 22 

23 24 25 26 27 28 29 

30 1 2 3 

Administrative 

Officers/ 

Departmental 

Representatives 

Meeting. Contact 

Dawn Dubois Patti at 

301-295-3104 for 

more information 

10:30a.m. 

Lecture Room C

4 5 6 

7 8 9 

LRC Training Classes: 

Introduction to 

PowerPoint. Register 

online at: 

http://training.lrc.usu

hs.mil/lib/training_re

g.php. Please call 

Nancy Morell at 319-

4039 or Linda Spitzer 

at 295-3357 if you 

have questions. 

Noon-1p.m.

LRC 

10 11 

LRC Training 

Classes: Introduction to PowerPoint. 

Register online at: 

http://training.lrc.u

suhs.mil/lib/trainin

g_reg.php. Please 

call Nancy Morell at 

319-4039 or Linda 

Spitzer at 295-

3357 if you have 

questions. 

4p.m.-5p.m.

LRC 

12 13 

September

PAGE 12 

October