Volume 7, Issue 4 • February 21, 2012

www.usuhs.mil

The Official USU Newsletter
On the cover

The Modular Prosthetic Limb (MPL) was 

developed as part of a four-year program 

by the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics 

Laboratory, along with Walter Reed National 

Military Medical Center and the Uniformed 

Services University of the Health Sciences. 

The brain-controlled prosthetic has nearly as 

much dexterity as a natural limb, and allows 

independent movement of fingers. The MPL 

was used by wounded warriors at the Walter 

Reed National Military Medical Center 

for the first time Jan. 24, 2012. 

(See story page 3) 

Photo by U.S. Navy photo by Sarah Fortney/Released

Sharon Willis

Deputy Vice President for External 

Affairs and Managing Editor

Staff Sgt. Matthew Rosine

Production Editor

Christine Creenan-Jones

Contributing Writer

Lori Fields

Layout and Design

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 will be published 

bi-weekly on Mondays. The 

deadline for submissions is at 4 p.m. 

Tuesday prior to the publication 

date. Submissions can be sent to 

usunewsletter@usuhs.mil or by 

calling 301-295-0895.

2 The Pulse The Official USU Newsletter

One of USU’s outstanding educators has also been recognized as such 

by his alma mater. 

Navy Cmdr. Anthony Artino, Jr., 

Ph.D., associate professor in the 

Department of Preventive Medicine 

and Biometrics and Department of 

Medicine at USU, was selected to 

receive “The Outstanding Young 

Professional” award by the University of Connecticut (UConn) Neag 

School of Education. The award is 

given to “educators who have made 

USU Educator Recognized for 

Outstanding Contributions

By Sharon Willis

Photo by Thomas C. Balfour

Navy Cmdr. Anthony Artino, Jr., Ph.D.

significant contributions across all 

levels of education,” according to the 

statement issued by the Neag Alumni 

Society. Artino is a 2008 graduate of 

the school. 

Artino, whose background is in 

educational psychology with an 

emphasis in cognition and instruction, mentors graduate students 

and teaches in the Master of Health 

Administration and Policy and 

Master of Public Health degree 

programs at USU. He is also the 

Principal Investigator on several 

funded research projects and is 

the co-director of the F. Edward 

Hébert School of Medicine’s LongTerm Career Outcome Study. In his 

research role, Artino leads a team 

of scientists trained in psychology, 

physiology, and medicine. The interdisciplinary team studies various 

aspects of human motivation, learning, and performance across the 

medical education continuum and on 

into clinical practice. 

The award will be presented to 

Artino during the Neag Alumni 

Society’s 14th Annual Awards Dinner 

on March 31 in Storrs, Connecticut.

USU was chartered by an act 

of Congress 40 years ago. The 

university’s first administrators 

worked out of rented office spaces 

above a local drug store and bank 

in downtown Bethesda. The first 

cohort of medical students – just 

32 military officers – didn’t begin 

attending class on USU’s new 

campus on the National Naval 

Medical Center grounds until 

1977. Since then, the university has 

grown significantly, both in size 

and scope. In fact, more than 6,300 

physicians, nurses and scientists 

have graduated from USU already. 

This year, the university will also 

confer master’s degrees to advanced 

practice military dentists for the 

first time ever. This expansion and 

others before it have transformed 

the once-humble medical school 

into a major health sciences 

university with a much 

broader academic reach.

Did you know...
February 21, 2012 3

USU Center helps develop brain-controlled prosthetic arm

By Sarah Fortney, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Public Affairs

Photo by Edward G. Whitman, JHU Applied Physics Laboratory

Air Force Tech. Sgt. Joe Delauriers is the first to use the Modular 

Prosthetic Limb, which was developed by the Johns Hopkins 

Applied Physics Laboratory in conjunction with USU’s Center for 

Rehabilitation Science Research and the Walter Reed National 

Military Medical Center. 

A new prosthetic arm 

- operated by an individual’s thoughts - was used by 

wounded warriors at the 

Walter Reed National Military 

Medical Center (WRNMMC) 

for the first time Jan. 24.

With nearly as much 

dexterity as a natural limb, 

22 degrees of motion, and 

independent movement 

of fingers, the Modular 

Prosthetic Limb (MPL) was 

developed as part of a fouryear program by the Johns 

Hopkins University Applied 

Physics Laboratory (APL), 

along with WRNMMC and 

the Uniformed Services 

University of the Health 

Sciences (USU). On Jan. 24, 

a wounded warrior began 

using the nine-pound device, 

maneuvering its metallic 

fingers and wrist.

“We’ve been working with 

[the APL] since the start of 

this project and we’re very 

excited about the opportunity 

[to have] our first individual 

using this hand,” said Col. 

(Dr.) Paul Pasquina (SoM 

‘91), chief of Orthopaedics 

and Prosthetics at WRNMMC 

and director for the Center for 

Rehabilitation Science Research at 

USU. “We believe very strongly that 

those who are willing to put their 

lives in harm’s way deserve the very 

best. Through this revolutionizing 

project, we’ve worked with the greatest manufacturers across the globe to 

come up with modern solutions to 

loss of an upper limb.” 

Pasquina explained the limb is 

controlled by surface electrodes, which 

pick up electric signals generated by 

the muscles underneath the skin, then 

convert those patterns in electrical 

signals into a robotic function. 

“We wanted to make [the MPL] as 

intuitive as possible. Normally, when 

you move your hand, you think about 

moving your hand, and a signal comes 

down from your brain, goes down 

through your spinal cord, out through 

your limb and activates muscles in 

your hand to open or close [the hand],” 

Pasquina said. 

With an amputee, the nerves traveling down the spinal cord are still 

intact, and they’re still connected 

to some of the muscles in the arm, 

Pasquina said. “What we try to do is 

pick up the electrical signals of the 

muscles that still exist in the arm 

and interpret those, convert them 

to a computer signal to then drive 

a robotic limb,” he said. “When an 

individual is thinking about closing 

their hand, muscles will 

activate and the prosthetic 

limb will respond accordingly.” 

Pasquina noted the potential 

future of this limb. Engineers 

seek to use electrodes underneath the skin for an electrical signal with much higher 

fidelity. Researchers also look 

to explore other mechanisms to 

rewire nerves.

“There are folks working 

very hard on elec trical 

sensors that can go directly 

on nerves, and electrical 

sensors that can be embedded in the brain,” he said. 

“It’s very exciting to see that 

research and we’ve been privileged to partner with a lot of 

folks working on that. I think 

there’s still a lot to be learned 

on how the human body can 

integrate with computers 

and computer interface, and 

I think the sky’s the limit in 

terms of what we will do over 

the next five to ten years.”

The next logical phase in 

the MPL’s development is to 

incorporate sense of touch, 

and apply this technology to 

prosthetic legs in the future, said 

Cmdr. Jack Tsao, director of the 

Traumatic Brain Injury Programs for 

Navy Medicine’s Bureau of Medicine 

and Surgery. A neurologist who also 

assisted in the project, Tsao said fortunately many amputees have expressed 

interest and seem willing to participate 

and help advance this research. 

“What I think is fantastic is that we 

actually, because of this study, now 

have another option to treat amputees,” 

said Tsao.

Before being fitted to use the 

device, Tsao explained amputees must 

first go through “training,” using the 

Virtual Integrated Environment (VIE), 

which records an individual’s muscle 

movements. By collecting their muscle 

Continued to page 5
4 The Pulse The Official USU Newsletter

USU alumnus named Educator of the Year

By Staff Sgt. J.G. Buzanowski, 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs/VPE staff

in my life,” Bunt said. “They encouraged me and made me work outside 

of my comfort zones. So I owe a lot 

to the people who helped me get 

where I am today.”

According to Bunt, those teachers 

include USU Family Medicine faculty 

members, Navy Captain (Dr.) Mark 

Stephens and Dr. Brian Reamy.

 “Drs. Stephens and Reamy have 

offered me their support, provided me 

with inspiration and instilled in me the 

daily desire to improve my teaching 

and learning,” Bunt said.

 “Dr. Bunt is truly an inspiration. He is a man of integrity, honor, 

duty and service, and he embodies 

A USU alumnus deployed to the 

380th Expeditionary Medical Group 

was recently named the Air Force 

Physician Educator of the Year.

Maj. (Dr.) Christopher Bunt (SoM ‘04) 

is deployed from Offutt Air Force Base, 

Neb., where he is the associate residency 

program director for 70 family medicine 

residents in the largest military and civilian residency program in the U.S.

The award recognizes outstanding performance by a full-time faculty 

member who is actively engaged in 

the medical education of students, 

residents and fellows.

“I wouldn’t have won this award 

if it weren’t for the teachers I’ve had 

everything that is right in medical 

education,” Stephens said.

Bunt, a Pittsburgh native, developed and implemented techniques 

to enhance the teaching capabilities 

of the residency faculty at Offutt and 

the University of Nebraska Medical 

Center. His goal as the faculty development director is to make sure 

everyone has the tools and training 

they need to teach the next generation 

of doctors.

“In my opinion, if you’re a teacher 

and you’ve not had assistance to make 

you a better instructor, then we’re not 

doing our jobs,” Bunt said.

Bunt applies his background as 

a medical educator during regular 

training sessions at the 380th 

EMDG, where he is the chief of the 

medical staff. He’s shown members 

of the staff various techniques to 

help doctors and nurses give more 

efficient care to patients.

“He’s taught us about doing different kinds of exams so we’re better able 

to prepare the doctors before they see 

a patient,” said Airman 1st Class Paige 

Hill, deployed from Nellis AFB, Nev. 

“Eye exams are especially a big deal 

here, so he showed us how to look for 

foreign objects. It’s made us a lot more 

efficient.”

Col. Kevin Glasz, the 380th EMDG 

commander, called him a “key member 

of the team.”

“His level of dedication to the 

education process is amazing,” the 

colonel said. “We’re proud of what he’s 

doing for us here and we’re lucky to 

have him on our staff.”

U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. J.G. Buzanowski

Maj. (Dr.) Christopher Bunt teaches a class on examinations to several deployed medical 

professionals Feb. 8, 2012. Bunt, a Pittsburgh native deployed from Offutt Air Force Base, 

Neb., was recently named the Air Force Physician Educator of the Year. He is currently 

serving as the chief of the medical staff at the 380th Expeditionary Medical Group. 

USU Research Days 2012

May 14-15

Save The Date

Visit www.hjf.org to 

submit abstracts by March 23 and register for events.
February 21, 2012 5

Google Apps 

‘Go-Live’ Date 

Approaching

The USU community is officially 

moving to Google Apps beginning 

in mid-March.

 The Google Apps format will 

replace the University’s current 

Novell GroupWise for its new e-mail 

and calendar platform services.

 The Apps platform will also 

provide other working features such 

as Contact, Documents and Sites.

At its core, Google Apps is a 

collection of Web-based message 

and collaboration applications. 

These applications are hosted on 

Google’s own servers and provide 

these programs as a service to its 

customers. This means there is no 

software download or install for 

customer usage.

 Google Apps can also be 

synchronized with Microsoft 

Outlook on a customer’s desktop. 

All that is required to access these 

applications is a Web browser.

 The announcement of the shift 

to Google Apps comes after preparation and pilot testing at USU in 

the month of December, 2011.

 Google Apps is expected to 

provide many benefits to the USU 

community. It will allow USU 

customers access to their e-mail, 

calendar, contacts and documents 

at any time from any location. The 

move will also lower infrastructure 

costs to the University as well as 

consolidate work platforms such as 

GroupWise and Exchange. Google 

Apps also provides additional 

features such as document sharing 

options and instant messaging.

 USU began End User Training 

in early February, prior to e-mail 

migration. The Google Apps launch 

will “Go Live” in mid-March.

data, the MPL is then suited for the 

individual. This gives the amputee time 

to learn how to use the device, fit them 

for it, then see how they work with it, 

he said.

Air Force Tech Sgt. Joe Delauriers, 

the first patient at WRNMMC to begin 

using the MPL, described the device 

as “pretty comfortable,” and said he 

is grateful for the opportunity to be 

involved with the project.

“It’s really fun working with the 

hand and [exciting] to see what’s 

going to be coming in the future,” said 

Delauriers. “Any input I can put into 

the program, to help them out, and 

future amputees, it’s an honor for me. 

It’s very rewarding.”

Four months ago, Delauriers was 

injured by an IED blast in Afghanistan, which caused him to lose both 

his legs and part of his left arm. He 

said it’s an indescribable feeling to be 

where he is today, thanks to advancements in care.

“I’m living off base, I’m driving, 

[and] I’m living with my [infant] 

son. I’m able to hold him without 

any open wounds, infections,” he 

said. “They do such a great job here, 

with therapy. It’s just amazing.” The 

Airman said he can only imagine 

what these advancements will lead to 

in another decade.

“The technology is only going to 

keep getting better,” said Tsao. “If 

guys like Joe can regain function, 

this would be revolutionizing to their 

lives, especially in the multiple limb 

amputees. Any degree of function and 

independence you can give back to 

someone is the most important thing.” 

Pasquina also expressed his enthusiasm for this development, stating 

that he can recall when the device was 

merely a sketch on paper. 

“It’s something I still find 

amazing,” Pasquina said. He is 

also amazed by the stories of the 

wounded warriors making such 

strides in their recovery.

“Time after time, you see people 

not only recover, but thrive after 

severe injuries, and they’re inspirational to all of us, to us as medical 

staff who have the honor of taking 

care of them. It’s humbling to be a 

part of that,” he said. 

Pasquina added that he’ll continue 

his efforts to make this technology 

available to all service members and 

the population at large.

“The hand in itself is so important 

in terms of one’s independence. Your 

ability to dress yourself, feed yourself, 

do self-grooming and hygiene is 

extremely important,” said Pasquina. 

“Many of our injured service 

members were highly functioning, highly independent, had a great 

amount of responsibility. To now find 

themselves in a situation where they 

have an impairment or disability, 

that makes them less independent is 

something that not only affects them 

physically, but affects them emotionally. Anything we can do to [help] 

them be more independent and to 

regain that sense of self is something 

we’re fully committed to doing and 

very excited about the opportunities 

that this presents.”

Continued from page 3

Brain-Controlled Prosthetic Arm

27th Annual David Packard Lecture

Lessons Learned as a Surgical Oncologist

Speaker: Murray F. Brennan, M.D., F.A.C.S. 

March 15, 2012, 3:00-4:00 p.m.

Sanford Auditorium
6 The Pulse The Official USU Newsletter

USU earns trio 

of CFC awards

By Staff Sgt. Matthew Rosine

Helping people in need is nothing 

new for the USU family. And, the 

2011 Combined Federal Campaign 

chose to recognize USU’s dedication and generosity by presenting the 

University with a trio of awards. 

The USU charity drive recently won 

the CFC’s 2011 Merit Award, Summit 

Award and Participation Achievement Award. These awards represent 

outstanding achievements during the 

2011 CFC campaign. 

The Merit Award is presented to an 

organization that is able to receive 50 

percent employee participation or $125 

per capita in donations. 

The Summit Award is presented to 

an organization that is able to receive at 

least a 3 percent increase in donations 

over the previous year. 

And, the Participation Award is 

presented to an organization that is able 

to receive at least a 2 percent increase in 

participation over the previous year. 

These awards were displayed during 

the campaign’s close-out breakfast Feb. 

14 and are currently on display inside 

the CFC case in the cafeteria’s large 

dining room.

“I don’t think there is really anything 

more I can say, except that I want to 

sincerely thank everyone for their 

valuable and meaningful support,” 

said Capt. Malvis Tarney, the Graduate School of Nursing company 

commander and 2011 CFC campaign 

manager. “We did this together.” 

Overall, USU’s CFC drive, led by 

Tarney and more than 50 volunteers, 

raised more than $172,000 for the 

charitable campaign, which ended 

Jan. 13. The University’s original goal 

was $165,000.

USU expert named RSNA 

2011 Outstanding Educator

By Staff Sgt. Matthew Rosine

A USU professor of Radiology, 

Neurology and Biomedical Information was named the Radiological Society of North America’s 2011 

Outstanding Educator of the Year. 

Dr. James G. Smirniotopoulos, the 

Director for Imaging and Diagnostics 

at the Center for Neuroscience and 

Regenerative Medicine at USU received 

the award for his outstanding contributions to education. 

As an internationally recognized 

neuroradiology expert, Dr. Smirniotopoulos has been a pioneer in electronic 

and online radiologic education. An 

innovator in correlating radiology and 

pathology images, he has creatively 

used animations and drawings, and 

employed a special approach to education that has enabled him to teach 

more than 22,000 residents over the 

past 25 years of dedicated service.

While at USU, Dr. Smirniotopoulos, co-developed MedPix and 

works as the system’s chief editor. 

MedPix is a Web-based teaching 

file application. It allows case files 

to be shared by military physicians 

around the world. 

The MedPix system was patented in 

2006 and currently receives more than 

six million hits each month. 

Dr. Smirniotopoulos also created 

the Washington Neuroradiology Review Course. The renowned 

course was generated for radiologists, neurologists, neurosurgeons and 

pathologists. He also works diligently 

as the editor of the American College 

of Radiology Learning File. Created 

from a grant by the U.S. Food and 

Drug Administration, the file has 

helped standardize radiologic education across America. 

Dr. Jonathan Woodson, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs 

and Director, TRICARE Management Activity, visited the USU National 

Capital Area Medical Simulation Center February 14. Dr. Woodson shared his 

vision of having the Military Health System be the premier platform across the 

entire nation of teaching and fostering medical simulation to providers.

The SimCenter staff highlighted several ongoing and innovative initiatives 

for Dr. Woodson including the partnership with the MOVES Institute at the 

Naval Postgraduate School. 

Partnerships to improve military medicine

Photo by Thomas C. Balfour

Pictured Ms. Amy Flanagan-Risdahl, Director of Clinical Skills; Dr. Gil Muniz, Deputy 

Director; Dr. Shad Deering, Deputy Medical Director; Dr. Jonathan Woodson, Assistant 

Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs; Dr. Joseph Lopreiato, Medical Director; Dr. Mark 

Bowyer, Director of Surgical Skills; Dr. Alan Liu, Director of Virtual Environments; and 

Dr. Joe Sullivan, Director of the MOVES Institute at the Naval Postgraduate School.
February 21, 2012 7

Briefs

Using 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 selfcoded 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 NOC; 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.

Personnel must not permit unauthorized individuals access to a government-owned or government-operated 

system or program; access online 

gambling, games and social engineering 

sites, dates or times.

Help Desk Closure

The Customer Service Division 

(CSD) Help Desk is closed for staff 

meetings and training on Thursdays 

from 2:00 PM until 3:00 PM. Online 

services are still available during this 

time. Utilize the USU Service Desk 

(https://usuca/CAisd/pdmweb.exe) 

to enter your request and it will be 

serviced accordingly.

Exercise/Fitness Areas

Physical Fitness training should be 

conducted in designated areas.

The only authorized space for PT 

within the university is room G060.

The campus Student Community

Lounge area is also authorized, but only 

during specified PFT dates or times.

How to apply for DAU Classroom and 

Web Certification courses

Step One

Log onto the website (use IE)

https://www.atrrs.army.mil/channels/

acqtas/logon.asp

Step Two

Click the I Agree icon

Step Three

The next screen in the “please sign 

in below:” area select your Defense 

Agency. USU is listed as an agency in 

the drop down box. It’s next to the last 

listing under the Other Defense Agency 

heading and click on the CAC option 

button. It will require your digital certificate, click ok. then enter your PIN.

Step Four

From the Main Menu, select Search 

for Continuous Learning Modules and 

select one of the following courses to 

complete. Enter that course number 

and SELECT

CLG 001 – DoD Government 

Purchase Card

CLG 004 – Government Purchase Card

Refresher Training

CLG 005 – Purchase Card Online 

System (PCOLS)

The Course will appear in the Search 

Results field. Click on the course number. If you have taken DAU courses before, your profile will pop up. Confirm 

that the information, especially the 

email address is correct. If this is the 

first time, you will have to complete a 

profile first.

Step Five

Confirm the information is correct, 

including your supervisor information. 

They will not be required to approve 

these courses since they are on line, no 

cost sessions. Click Submit Application 

at the bottom of the form.

Step Six

You will receive an email from DAU 

with a user ID, password and instructions for completing the course. 

Step Seven

Once complete, a copy of the certificate 

must be forwarded to the APC (Terry 

Zimmerman) in Contracting.

Once you start the course, make sure 

after you do the introduction module, 

you refresh your system to assure the 

radio button turns orange. If not do 

not proceed on that computer as the 

system is not registering your course 

and you wont be able to take the test or 

get credit. Try using a different browser or a different computer. 

If you have any problems or questions, 

please call 301-295-3070.

You will need to enter the following 

when completing the student information form:

Sign in using “all other dept of 

Navy employees”

Duty location UIC – 68336

SubUIC is VS