Uniformed Services University 

of the Health Sciences 

USU Newsletter 

VOLUME 2,ISSUE 1 WWW.USUHS.MIL JAN. 16,2007 

USU in the New Year 

In This Issue 

Letter from the 

USU President.....................2 

BRAC/ Integration...................3 

Travel Card .............................3 

Military Medical Merit ............4 

ETI............................................4 

100 Top Cited Scientist..........5 

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

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

Editorial Staff 

Carol R. Scheman 

Vice President for 

External Affairs and 

Managing Editor 

Tech. Sgt. 

André Nicholson 

Editor 

Mass Communications 

Specialist 

Seaman 

Raul Zamora 

Staff Writer 

 

Mass Communications 

Specialist 

Seaman 

Jeffrey Hopkins 

Staff 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 

 As we enter into the New Year I want to welcome each of you back to the University. I trust 

that you had a memorable holiday season with 

your loved ones. As I mentioned in the last edition 

of the 2006 USU Newsletter I’d again like to thank 

all USU faculty, staff and students for their commitment and hard work over the past year. I look 

forward to the new challenges and opportunities 

that I know 2007 is going to bring. 

 There are some issues facing us that I want to 

address with the USU community. 

Continuing Resolution 

 Until the Defense Health Program Appropriations Bill is passed and signed by President George 

Bush, the University will continue to operate under the Continuing Resolution Act (CRA). The current legislation funding the University is in effect 

until Feb. 15, 2007 and up to 50% funding has 

been distributed. We remain hopeful that Congress will enact a fiscal year 2007 appropriations 

legislature but there is a possibility of a year-long 

continuing resolution being in effect. Departments can check the CUFS system to find out exact amounts available. Please be advised that 

while we are operating under the CRA, only essential travel and operations are authorized. 

All Hands Town Hall Meeting 

 Our next Town Hall meeting is scheduled for 

Jan. 23 at 3 p.m. in Sanford Auditorium. As I mentioned before it is my intention to continue with 

regular town hall meetings to discuss topics that 

are vital to USU during this BRAC/Integration 

process, along with other areas of University wide 

interest. I have asked Lt. Col. Tim Rapp to join me 

to update us all on major changes coming within 

information systems management. At our last 

meeting many of you raised important and challenging questions and I ask that you do the same 

at our next town hall. I believe this forum is one 

way to provide better clarity about the process 

and keep everyone involved in the decisions and 

actions underway. Another town hall meeting will 

be held March 7 and I encourage you to visit the 

USU Integration Web site for updates anytime at: 

www.usuhs.mil/

usuhs/brac/

SABI.htm. 

 

Annual Report 

 Distribution of the 

University’s 2006 

Annual Report is 

almost complete and 

we are requesting 

your feedback on the 

publication, especially as we begin 

planning for next 

year’s report. The 

report provides a 

general description 

of the University’s schools, departments and programs, as well as profiles on students, faculty and 

alumni. I’m pleased with the publication and I 

hope you will take an opportunity to read it and 

provide any ideas or suggestions to the Office of 

External Affairs at: vpe@usuhs.mil. If you have not 

received your copy of the report you can request 

one from the Office of External Affairs or view it 

online at http://www.usuhs.mil/vpe/

annualreport.html. 

The report will be an annual publication so your 

input for future issues is important to shaping this 

coming year’s report. 

Construction 

 It is impossible to walk around the University 

and not notice the construction all around us. I 

thank you all for your patience and understanding 

during this time. It is a positive sign of the University’s growth and progress. However, I do ask that 

you continue to be vigilant when walking outside 

in the courtyard and be sure to walk only in designated areas. Safety is of the utmost importance. 

 Again, I want to welcome you all back and I 

look forward to us accomplishing great things 

here at the University in 2007. 

Dr. Charles L. Rice, President, USU 

Letter from the USU President 

Dr. Charles L. Rice 

USU President 

 There are many different ways to show your 

school spirit: painted faces at sports events, t-shirts 

and sweaters, stickers, ornaments, and coins. Now 

it may be possible to have Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) car license 

plates. The images on the right are not the final 

design, but they represent what the license plates 

might look like. We are currently seeking to determine if there would be sufficient interest in having 

a USU organizational license plate. If you would 

like to register your interest, take the survey no 

later than Feb. 1, 2007 at: 

http://www.usuhs.mil/vpe/orgplates.html

USU License plates 
PAGE 3 

 Command and Control decisions lead to changes in the organization of Integration efforts in the National Capitol Area. With the 

postponement of decisions concerning the organization of a Unified Medical System for the Department of Defense (DOD), the 

opportunities for a true Joint Command at Bethesda were delayed. 

 Utilizing the available models, where each DOD facility is under 

one of the services, the surgeons general agreed that the Walter 

Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) would remain 

under Navy leadership with an admiral in command. This decision has led to new ways of planning at all levels of the integration process. 

 The past eighteen months have seen an organizational development approach to integration planning. This has largely been a 

bottoms-up approach, where teams of individuals with similar 

functions met to determine the best way to combine their functions. Now, with the decision that the Navy would be the executive agent, a number of top-down guidelines begin to fall in place. 

This in turn allows for a streamlining of the decision making process. 

 Another factor in the changes is while early efforts began with 

the integration of the University and the Walter Reed and Bethesda Medical Centers, it has become clear that integration will 

affect healthcare delivery in the entire National Capitol Area 

(NCA). The Flags have realized that this calls for a greater role for 

the commanders of the ten medical facilities in the NCA. Therefore the Commander’s Executive Board (CEB), which is made up 

of the nine treatment facility commanders and USU, has received 

new oversight responsibilities. The Integration Advisory Council 

has been disbanded. 

 The Multi-Service Management Office (MSMO), which has supported NCA business practices, and which developed the complex 

business plans for the new WRNMMC, has been given increased 

Integration coordination responsibilities. The chart below depicts 

these relationships. 

Capt David Wade, of MSMO will chair the Integration Steering 

Committee. Col Thomas Fitzpatrick, of the Office of Integration, 

will facilitate the Medical Center Consolidations. Capt Michael 

Malanoski, of NNMC, and Col. Thomas Deal, of WRAMC, will cochair the Commander’s Executive Board. The University retains its 

seats on the CEB and ISC, and the full range of representation on 

Integration Sub-Committees and Working Groups. 

Integration~ As I see it 

By Dr. Vernon Schinski 

Special Assistant to the USU President for BRAC Integration 

 The Government Travel Card (GTC) is a 

valuable and straight forward way to manage official travel expenses. Under the 

Travel and Transportation Reform Act of 

1998 and Department of Defense regulations, anyone traveling on official funded 

TDY orders and has a GTC is required to 

use it for all authorized expenses. As a minimum this means it must be used for transportation, lodging, and rental cars. 

 There are certain responsibilities that 

cardholders have when issued a GTC. To 

help, here are some Do’s and Don’ts: 

DO – 

~Use your GTC to pay for official travel expenses 

~Obtain your cash advances through an 

ATM no earlier than 7 days prior to your 

TDY 

~Submit your travel settlement voucher 

within 5 days of returning from your TDY. 

If on long term TDY, submit a partial 

voucher every 30 days until you return 

~Pay your bills on time 

~Use the Split Disbursement option on the 

Travel Voucher, DD 1351-2, if you have an 

outstanding balance that is not past due 

when you file your claim 

~Be aware that misuse and/or delinquency 

can result in disciplinary actions 

DON’T – 

~Use your GTC for personal use 

~Allow your card balances to ever go delinquent 

~Wait for receipt of your bill to file your 

claim 

~Forget that you are responsible for the 

charges on your card. If it is ever lost or 

stolen, immediately contact the bank and 

you will not be liable for any fraudulent 

charges. 

~Claim the cost of an airline ticket purchased with your GTC unless you used it. If 

you are reimbursed for a ticket and subsequently receive an airline credit/refund due 

to a change in itinerary, the refund must be 

repaid to the University. Questions regarding the GTC program should be sent to Jim 

Wolff at: jwolff@usuhs.mil, or call 295-3353. 

Dos and Don’ts with the 

Government Travel Card 
PAGE 4 

 The Uniformed Services University of the 

Health Sciences’ (USU) Acting Brigade 

Commander, Lt. Col. John Maurer, was 

awarded membership to the Order of Military Medical Merit, Dec. 16, 2006. 

 The Order of Military Medical Merit is a 

unique and private organization founded 

by the Commanding General of the U.S. 

Army Health Services Command in April, 

1982 to recognize and promote excellence, 

fellowship and Army pride among the 

Army Medical Department (AMEDD). 

 “It’s always an honor to be recognized,” 

said Colonel Maurer. 

 He earned the award for his medical 

military services from 1974 to present. During that time he held several positions in 

the 44th General hospital in Madison, Wisconsin, the 5501st Army Hospital, the 

114th Combat Support Hospital and the 

88th Army Reserve Command, all located 

at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. 

 Colonel Maurer’s last assignment was 

commander of the 7212 th Medical Support Unit from Rochester, Minnesota. While 

there, he arranged for Temporary Duty 

Assignment medical unit to perform Medical Readiness Training Exercises (MEDRETE) 

in Central America. At that time, these missions were assigned to Active Component 

Units only. The 7212th conducted six MEDRETEs prior to Colonel Maurer’s retirement in July 2001. 

 The last MEDRETE was in Bluefields, 

Nicaragua. This increment of 80 personnel 

broke several records to include treating 

over 5,000 people and 1,500 animals over 

a 10 day period. Colonel Maurer and his 

family coordinated an effort to collect 

over3,500 pairs of shoes to distribute to the 

children they treated. 

 Colonel Maurer was recently called out 

of retirement to serve as USU’s Executive 

Officer and Acting Brigade Commander. 

 “It’s a tremendous honor to once again 

serve in the military,” he said. This assignment is a great opportunity and I’m thrilled 

to be part it.” 

 The award includes the name of it’s recipients placed in a roster of distinguished 

AMEDD members and supporters, a certificate and a medallion that signifies to all 

they meet that they are members of the 

Order. The members proudly display their 

medallions at formal AMEDD social functions. 

 Membership in the order is limited to 

AMEDD officers, noncommissioned officers, 

civilians, retirees and Special Operations 

Medical Sergeants who have made significant contributions to the entire AMEDD 

over a sustained period of time. 

 The Surgeon General of the Army, Lt. 

Gen. Kevin C. Kiley, M.D., said the men and 

women of the U.S. Army Medical Command and the Office of the Surgeon General are the best at what they do, and what 

each and every one of them stands for is 

critical to the nation and its stability during 

this time of war. 

Acting Brigade Commander of USU Lt. Col. 

Maurer received membership to the Order 

of Military Medical Merit which is a unique 

and private organization. Dec.16, 2006. 

Courtesy photo 

New Member 

of The Order of 

Military Medical Merit 

By MCSN Raul Zamora 

Staff Writer, Office of External Affairs 

 Technology is something that is constantly changing and improving either to 

make things easier, quicker, more entertaining, or to enhance the learning process. So 

it was only a matter of time that an institute 

of higher learning such as the Uniformed 

Services University of the Health Sciences 

(USU) established its own Education and 

Technology Innovation Support Office 

(ETI). 

 The new office will incorporate technology resources into academics by partnering 

with faculty members to enhance the learning process. Some of the services that ETI 

will provide are: curricular strategic planning; distributed learning course design, 

development and modification; and evaluation and assessment of course activities and 

assignments. 

 The ETI staff is dedicated to working 

closely with the USU faculty to ensure they 

understand that the office provides both 

education and technology support, according to Dina Kurzweil, MA, MS, ETI deputy 

director. 

 “What can we do to enhance your 

course,” asked Ms. Kurzweil? “The art of the 

possibilities is unlimited and everyone involved with ETI brings a certain expertise to 

the table, which is why we call it a partnership.” 

 Education and technology expands on 

the online learning experience and there 

are several benefits to having ETI, Ms. Kurzweil explained. It will provide: access any 

time, any place; consistent content; active 

learning; and multiple learning preferences 

such as listening or reading. 

 There are many advantages to using 

technology in medical education as well, 

explained Karen Marcellas, Ph.D., ETI Support Office. 

Technology enables students to interact 

with the material, which increases longterm retention. 

It allows content to be presented in multiple ways so students who have different 

learning styles or preferences can access 

the material in a way that works for them. 

It can provide students with the opportunity to test their knowledge or theories in a 

controlled, low risk environment. 

It can give students early exposure to 

technology they will be using throughout 

their careers. 

 ETI’s mission is to partner with USU faculty to incorporate innovative technologies 

and instructional techniques into courses in 

ways that advance course learning objectives. The instructional design and educational technology specialists at ETI help 

faculty identify appropriate and effective 

ways to engage learners in courses and 

enable learners to take an active role in 

learning. 

 The ETI Support Office is up and running 

and faculty members can call 295-1757 to 

utilize its services or contact Dina Kurzweil 

at dkurzweil@usuhs.mil or Karen Marcellas 

at kmarcellas@usuhs.mil. 

New Education and Technology Office Partners with Faculty 

By Tech. Sgt. André Nicholson 

NCOIC, Office of External Affairs 
PAGE 5 

 A microbiologist at the Uniformed Services University of the 

Health Sciences (USU) was recently recognized as one of the top 

100 most-cited scientists in the past 10 years in the field of microbiology by In-Cites.com. 

 Christopher C. Broder, Ph.D., professor and director of the 

Emerging Infectious Diseases Graduate Program at USU, ranked 

11 among a list of 2,172 scientists on www.in-cites.com. In-cites 

ranks scientists by the amount of times their work has been cited 

in papers, journals and articles by their peers in a 10-year period. 

 In-cites.com is a Website which features commentary and 

analyses by researchers about their work, and was created to accompany the citation statistics featured in Essential Science Indicators, from Thomson Scientific. Essential Science Indicators is a compilation of statistics on research authors, journals, institutions and 

countries over a 10-year period. 

 The Website also features a rankings list which groups scientists by 

their fields and ranks them in accordance with how many times their 

work has been cited in other scientist’s publications. Dr. Broder is currently 11 out of 2,172 scientists in 

the microbiology field, with 4,653 

citations in 26 papers. 

 Dr. Broder received his Bachelor 

of Science. in marine biology and his 

Masters of Science. in molecular biology from Florida Institute of Technology. He entered the graduate program in the department of Medical 

Microbiology and Immunology of 

the University of Florida where he 

obtained his Ph.D. He joined USU’s 

Department of Microbiology and 

Immunology in 1996 as an Assistant 

Professor. 

USU microbiologist ranked 

in top 100 most-cited scientists 

By MCSN Jeff Hopkins 

Staff Writer Office of External Affairs 

 USU’s 18th Annual Collegium Awards was held Dec. 14 to recognize the academic accomplishments of students in 

courses and clerkships for each of the first three years of medical school. Pictured here, 2nd Lt. Greg Brown, Army, shakes 

hands with Larry Laughlin, M.D., dean of USU’s School of Medicine, as other awards recipients look on. 

Christopher C. Broder, 

Ph.D., professor and director of the Emerging Infectious Diseases Graduate 

Program. 

Tech. Sgt. James Steele 

USU’s 18th Annual Collegium Awards 
PAGE 6 

Photo by MCSN Raul Zamora 

The new year apparently brought in a new cleaning crew. After months of shifting through piles of paper and 

books, it’s actually possible to see the desk of Sharon Willis, deputy vice president of External affairs. 

 The Grimberg Construction Company 

began the excavation of Building E on October 30, 2006 (approximately 9,000 cubic 

yards of soil had to be excavated, or roughly 

800 dump truck loads). The projected completion date of Dec. 31, 2006 was met and 

the USU Jones Bridge Road Gate was reopened on Jan. 4, 2007. Stone Lake Road, 

from the lay-out point, remains permanently 

restricted to emergency/construction traffic. 

 Re-enforcement steel for the caissons was 

delivered during the week of January 1, 

2007; and, work on the foundation is expected to be underway during February of 

2007. At this time, USU is working on a 

Statement of Work (SOW) for the coordination of the outfitting requirements for Building E. When the construction company completes its work (estimated around March of 

2008), the University must ensure that occupancy occurs in an efficient and timely manner, meeting operational/functional requirements as envisioned by the future occupants 

of the building and USU leadership. The revalidation of the functional requirements was 

initiated during December 2006; the SOW 

required for the selection process of a firm to 

handle the recently re-validated outfitting 

requirements is currently in final draft and is 

expected to be completed this month. 

 As indicated previously, the Grimberg Construction Company is making a 

good faith effort and coordinating with the 

University so that the impact of construction 

on students, staff and faculty will be kept to a 

minimum. The USU divisions and activities 

responsible for coordinating the teaching 

and testing schedules are closely monitoring 

construction activities in order to minimize 

disruptions; safety and parking notices are 

continuously provided to avoid injury and 

loss of time; and coordination with NNMC 

and Navy Facilities Washington is focusing 

on adhering to all schedules, budget, and 

planning requirements. Weather and other 

events beyond human control are always in 

play and because of both monetary and time 

constraints, construction must move forward. 

The patience and support of the USU community is urgently requested between now 

and the Spring of 2008. USU leadership will 

ensure open communication as the work 

progresses. 

Update on 

Building E 

By Mary Dix 

Special Assistant to the USU President 

Whose Office Is This? 
PAGE 7 

New President Elect of ASM: Dr. Alison O’Brien, an internationally 

recognized microbiologist and chair of USU’s Department of Microbiology and Immunology was recently elected as president 

elect of the American Society for Microbiology. Dr. O’Brien will 

serve a one-year term as president elect from July 2007 – 

July 2008. 

2007 AMA Foundation Excellence in Medicine Awards: USU did 

very well in the 2007 American Medical Association Foundation 

Excellence in Medicine Awards. The recipients are: 

1. 2nd Lt. Gary Legault, USA, class of 2009—Medical Student 

Leadership Award. 

2. Maj. Brent Gibson, MC, USA, graduate of USU’s Occupational 

and Environmental Medicine residency program—Young Physician Leadership Award. 

3. Maj. David Huang, USAF, MC, class of 2001, a psychiatrist at 

David Grant Medical Center, Travis AFB, CA—Young Physician 

Leadership Award. 

4. Maj. Chetan Kharod, USAF, MC, class of 1996, assistant professor, Dept. of Military and Emergency Medicine—Young Physician Leadership Award. 

Air Force Surgeon General’s competition awards 20 scholarships: 

The Air Force Surgeon General’s Medical Force Development Directorate, in conjunction with the Medical Corps Developmental 

Team, sponsored an Air Force Medical System-wide competition 

leading to the award of 20 centrally funded academic scholarships in support of the American College of Physician Executives 

program. Each scholarship is valued at $10,000 and is designed to 

lead to the designation as a Certified Physician Executive. The 

following USU alumni were competitively selected from a pool of 

50 applicants to participate in the inaugural offering of this 12-18 

month program: 

Col. Sven Berg, USAF, MC—MPH ‘03 

Lt. Col. Eric Stone, USAF, MC—Class of 1991 

Col. Thomas Erchinger, USAF, MC—Class of 1998 

Lt. Col. Viki Lin, USAF, MC—Class of 1991 

Col. Tama Van Decar, USAF, MC—Class of 1989 

Maj. Michael Higgins, USAF, MC—Class of 1997 

Lt. Col. Michael Murchland, USAF, MC—Class of 1989 

NNMC Phone Books: There are seven boxes of the 2007 National 

Naval Medical Center Patient Services Guide and Telephone Directory available outside of the USU Mailroom, (G056). First come, 

first serve. 

Change to Army GWOT Expeditionary Medal: The Army recently 

added new countries to the areas of eligibility for the Global War 

on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. The new areas include Azerbaijan, Nigeria, Sierra, Leone, Senegal, Tanzania, and Tunisia. To 

access this message, go to the following link:https://

www.hrc.army.mil/site/active/TAGD/awards/

message_Reference_Index/Subfolder__151-175/171.pdf. 

Navy-Wide Advancement Exams: The Navy-Wide Advancement 

Exams will take place in the USU Dining Facility from 6:30 a.m. -

11a.m. on the following dates: Chief Petty Officer: Jan. 18; Petty 

Officer First Class: March 1; Petty Officer Second Class: March 2-8; 

Petty Officer Third Class: March 3-15. To go to the NAVADMIN 

announcement for the E4-E6, go to the following link: http://

www.npc.navy.mil/NR/rdonlyres/6A4934BB-BD2A-43B1-B3F3-

47BCE6701805/0/NAV06371.txt. Additionally, to access the 

NAVADMIN announcement for the E7 exam, go to the following 

link: http://www.npc.navy.mil/NR/rdonlyres/19F329B1-5778-

4303-85D9-7E25F2474939/0/NAV06223.txt. 

CFC’s Goal is Met The CFC’s goal of $172,000 was met. The donation that put USU over the top came in from the School of Medicine MS I students. This year's CFC would not have been possible 

without the help of the CFC Committee (Anne Hufman, CPT Kevin 

Doherty, LT Darren Brown, CPT Kassandra Robinson, SSgt Russell 

Ware, SSgt Melissa Witer, and Sharon Willis.) 

Retirement Ceremony: HM1 Amdetsyon, USN (GSN) will have an 

informal retirement gathering on Jan. 12 at 1p.m. in the Small 

Dining Room. All are invited to attend to show their support for 

his 20 years of honorable Naval service. 

Hail and Farewell: HM2 Hooker, USN (AFRRI) recently reported 

from STU NUMI, Groton, CT. Please take time to welcome her to 

our command and the surrounding area. 

USU In the News 

Alumni News 

USU News Briefs 
USU Calendar of Events 

14 15 

Holiday 

Dr. Martin Luther King 

Jr. Birthday 

16 

LRC Training Classes: 

LRC Electronic 

Resources (ER) 

Noon - 1p.m. 

LRC

17 

Neuroscience Seminar 

3:30p.m 

Lecture Room A

18 19 

Brigade Awards 

Ceremony 

7:30 a.m. - 9 a.m. 

Sanford Auditorium 

The Department of 

Pathology presents: A 

Balancing Act of the 

Multiple TOR 

Complexes 

Noon 

Room A2053

20 

21 22 

LRC Training Classes: 

EndNote Basics 

6p.m. - 7p.m. 

LRC 

MLK Celebration 

9—10:30 a.m.

USU Cafeteria 

23 

All Hands Town Hall 

Meeting 

3p.m. 

Sanford Auditorium

24 25 26 27 

28 29 30 

Medical Effects of 

Ionizing Radiation 

Course 

NMCP 

w/FDPMU/JTFCS/NNSY, Norfolk, 

VA

31 

Medical Effects of 

Ionizing Radiation 

Course 

NMCP 

w/FDPMU/JTFCS/NNSY, Norfolk, 

VA

1 

2007 Health Care Law 

Symposium 

7:30a.m. - 5p.m. 

Sanford Auditorium

2 

2007 Health Care Law 

Symposium 

7:30a.m. - 5p.m. 

Sanford Auditorium

3 

4 5 

Board of Regents 

Meeting 

Doctoral 

Dissertation 

Defense Seminar 

10 am

lecture room E 

6 7 

LRC Training Classes 

Noon - 1p.m. 

LRC

8 9 10 

January

February