Volume 8, Issue 19· December 16, 2013 

 www.usuhs.edu 

Learning to Care for Those in Harm’s Way 
Sharon Willis 

Deputy Vice President for External Affairs and Managing Editor

Gwendolyn Smalls 

Chief, Media Affairs 

Tech. Sgt. Oshawn Jefferson 

Deputy Chief, Media Affairs 

Christine Creenan-Jones

Editor and Layout Artist 

MC2 Brittney Cannady

Writer 

The Pulse is printed by USU’s 

Duplicating Center. 

Production

The Pulse is funded by the Department of 

Defense and published by the Uniformed 

Services University. It is authorized for 

members of the U.S. military services, 

USU alumni, faculty and staff. Contents 

of the Pulse are not necessarily the official 

views of, or endorsed by, the DoD or 

USU. Appearance of anything resembling 

advertising in this publication does not 

constitute endorsement by the DoD, USU 

or Pulse staff members. 

The contents of this publication shall be 

made available for use or patronage 

without regard to race, color, religion, 

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any other non-merit factor of the user or 

patron. 

Editorial content is edited, prepared and 

provided by the USU Office of External 

Affairs. The editor reserves the right to 

edit articles to conform to DoD policy and 

Associated Press style. All photos are 

DoD photos unless otherwise indicated. 

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 Christine.creenanjones@usuhs.edu or 301-295-3338. 

USU scientists resolve decades-old mystery of 

“chlamydia anomaly” 

By Sharon Willis, managing editor 

On the cover 

Army 2nd Lt. Daniel Lammers, a medical 

student at the Uniformed Services University, plays regular games of wheelchair basketball with wounded warriors through a 

new USU program called the Wounded 

Warrior Partnership. See story, page 3. 

2 The Pulse The Pulse · The Official USU Newsletter Photo by Thomas Balfour 

 A 50-year-old mystery surrounding the existence of a cell 

wall in the bacterial pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis, or 

chlamydia, has been solved by researchers at the Uniformed Services University. Chlamydia is the 

leading cause of sexually transmitted infections worldwide, infecting nearly 1.5 million Americans each year. It can cause sterility in men and women, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, and ectopic 

pregnancy and is also the leading 

cause of preventable blindness. 

Other types of chlamydia cause a 

variety of diseases in humans and 

animals, including two strains of 

the bacterium that are threatening 

survival of the koala population in 

Australia. 

 Since the 1960s, scientists have 

tried to solve the ‘chlamydial 

anomaly.’ All chlamydial species 

are sensitive to antibiotics that 

target the bacterial cell wall, or 

peptidoglycan, but no one has ever been able to show that peptidoglycan exists in chlamydia until 

now. 

 In an article, "A new metabolic 

cell-wall labeling method reveals 

peptidoglycan in Chlamydia trachomatis," published in the Dec. 

11 advance online issue of Nature, 

the study lead co-author Dr. 

George Liechti, a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Anthony Maurelli at USU, along with 

a scientific team from Maurelli’s 

lab and collaborators from Indiana University in Bloomington, 

Ind., outlines their discovery of 

the presence of a peptidoglycan in 

chlamydia. 

 Using novel chemical probes 

designed by researchers in the laboratories of IU scientists Drs. 

Yves Brun and Michael Van Nieuwenhze, Liechti was able to visualize the cell wall of chlamydia for 

the first time since these paradoxical observations were initially 

described 50 years ago. Maurelli’s 

team, working closely with the IU 

researchers, produced images that 

revealed a cell wall architecture 

never before seen in bacteria: a 

ring-like structure that appears to 

cut across each growing microbe 

at its center line. 

 Additional experiments carried 

out by Liechti and IU researcher 

Erkin Kuru confirmed that the 

label is specific for the bacterial 

cell wall and suggests that chlamydia generates its unique cell 

wall the same way as many other 

microbes, such as E. coli, do. 

 The demonstration by Maurelli’s 

team that chlamydia possess peptidoglycan will help other researchers study how infection 

with these organisms produces an 

inflammatory response in its human host. 

 In addition, peptidoglycan almost certainly plays a role in chlamydial cell division, says Liechti. 

“We know almost nothing about 

how chlamydia divide,” he said, 

“but the unusual labeling pattern 

of the peptidoglycan that we observed suggests some very testable 

models that we plan to pursue in 

our lab.” 

 In addition to solving a decadesold mystery, this study suggests 

new and powerful applications of 

this innovative labeling technique 

developed by Maurelli’s IU collaborators. This breakthrough in labeling technology has the potential to revolutionize the study of 

the microbial cell wall with potential applications in visualization of 

the cell wall by electron microscopy and the eventual capture and 

purification of peptidoglycan components. 

 “I am thrilled that we were able 

to resolve the chlamydial anomaly,” said Maurelli. "Now that we 

have shown that chlamydia have a 

typical bacterial cell wall, scientists can focus on key questions 

such as how the peptidoglycan of 

chlamydia contributes to the severe inflammation that is typically 

seen in chlamydia infections of 

the eye and the genital tract. We 

can also get a better understanding of how certain antibiotics 

work against these organisms.” 

 The discovery could eventually 

lead to the development of new 

therapeutic approaches for treatment of chlamydial infection. 
USU students, wounded warriors bond through art, sports

By Christine Creenan-Jones, editor 

December 16, 2013 3

 Physicians are privy to a lot of deeply personal information about the people they treat, but the person behind the diagnosis is often still a mystery to them. A 

new pilot program at the Uniformed Services University 

called the Wounded Warrior Partnership, however, is 

encouraging a new kind of dynamic by creating unique 

bonding opportunities for providers and patients 

through art, music, theater and sports. 

 The innovative program brings USU medical students 

and wounded warriors together for side-by-side participation in Walter Reed National Military Medical Center’s adaptive sports and creative arts programs. These 

engaging encounters are designed to bridge unique, non

-clinical connections between participating members. 

 “We wanted to create an opportunity for our students 

to develop natural, one-on-one relationships with 

wounded warriors,” said Navy Cmdr. (Dr.) Adam Saperstein, an assistant professor in the Department of 

Family Medicine at USU. 

 Saperstein and his colleague, Dr. Paul Pasquina, director of the Center for Rehabilitation Science Research 

at USU, are the impetuses behind the Wounded Warrior Partnership. The idea for the program was born 

from their personal experiences in military medicine 

and from their understanding that engagement and 

connection are often facilitated through action. 

 It’s a lesson they both learned in college. Saperstein 

was a member of the Naval Academy’s prestigious Glee 

Club, and Pasquina was a star quarterback on West 

Point’s varsity football team. For both physicians, these 

mediums had unifying powers that brought diverse 

groups of people together. 

 “Something draws people to the arts, something beyond curiosity,” said Saperstein. “It can also nurture 

close bonds between participating members, which is 

something we’re hoping for with the Wounded Warrior 

Partnership.” 

 So far, it seems to be working. Navy Ensign Teresa 

Gilbride, a USU medical student who is currently participating in the program, spends several hours each 

month playing wheelchair basketball with injured servicemembers in the Wounded Warrior Partnership. 

Between the hook shots and dribbling, Gilbride has developed a great rapport with her teammates. 

 “It’s just so much fun,” she said. “I have never in my 

life played on a basketball team and am not a very formidable foe in a wheelchair either, but the wounded 

warriors are very welcoming.” 

 Although building new clinical competencies isn’t the 

main focus of the program, Gilbride’s teammates have 

given her a special insight into military medicine and 

what it takes to care for servicemembers with amputations, traumatic brain injuries, post-traumatic stress 

and other complex wounds without easy remedies. 

 “It kind of hit home to me how each one of these guys 

need an individualized plan tailored to their specific 

injuries,” she said. “Each one of their new normals is 

going to be different and requires creativity and probably a lot of teamwork with their physicians, physical 

therapists and families to figure out.” 

 The program is also a great way to remember the sacrifices that come with uniformed service. All of the 

warrior participants in the Wounded Warrior Partnership are still recovering from serious, and in some cases, life-threatening injuries that were sustained in the 

line of duty. 

 “At USU, our students are learning to care for those in 

harm’s way. But in the midst of a very rigorous academic schedule, when our students are spending more 

time with their books than actual people, it’s easy to 

forget the true meaning of that mission,” said Saperstein. “The Wounded Warrior Partnership is a wonderful reminder of what our university is really about.”

Army 2nd Lt. Daniel Lammers is taking part in the Wounded 

Warrior Partnership, a pilot program at the Uniformed Services 

University that pairs USU medical students with wounded warriors for side-by-side participation in adaptive sports and creative arts programs. 

Photo by Thomas Balfour 
4 The Pulse The Pulse · The Official USU Newsletter 

Senior Employee of the Quarter 

By Christine Creenan-Jones, editor 

Courtesy photo 

Do you have a story for the Pulse? 

Submit your ideas to 

christine.creenan-jones@usuhs.edu. Pulse staff members are always looking for new leads about the people, 

programs, research and scholarship at the 

Uniformed Services University. 

Pentagon Joint Staff 

Surgeon Visits USU 

By MC2 Brittney Cannady, writer 

 The chief medical advisor to 

the chairman of the Joint 

Chiefs of Staff, Army Maj. 

Gen. (Dr.) Nadja West, visited 

the Uniformed Services University and provided a leadership brief last month.

 As a part of the lecture, West 

shared her experiences and 

life lessons with faculty, students and staff. 

 “Treating every human being with dignity and respect 

will set you up for a great career as a physician and a leader,” she said. 

 In her position as joint staff 

surgeon, West provides advice 

to the chairman of the Joint 

Chiefs of Staff and coordinates 

all issues related to health services to include operational 

medicine, force health protection and readiness among 

combatant commanders. 

 According to West, her success in this leadership role is 

the result of strong family values. West credits her parents 

for instilling her with a sense 

of gratitude, thankfulness and 

a strong work ethic that has 

made her career impactful. 

 “I knew I wanted to be in the 

military and I knew I wanted 

to be a physician. I just wanted to be the best and I was 

open to opportunities,” said 

West. 

 During the question and answer portion of her brief, West 

addressed the importance of 

respect between servicemembers from different branches 

of the military – which is an 

important lesson for the university, since USU is a jointservice environment. West 

encouraged personnel to 

choose a joint tour during 

their careers – like USU – to 

get familiar with the cultures 

of different branches of the 

military. For service members 

working with civilian team 

members, West stressed fostering an attitude of inclusion 

as a key step to becoming a 

successful leader. 

 “Leadership is about influence,” she said. “How do you 

influence people? It’s by making them feel like they’re a 

part of the team and trust. For 

people to trust in you is very 

humbling as a leader, so be 

careful with it.” 

Army Maj. Gen. (Dr.) Nadja West 

 Edmund Burke, a collateral duty counselor and special emphasis program manager in the Office of Equal Employment 

Opportunity, is the Senior Employee of 

the Quarter at the Uniformed Services 

University. 

 Burke, who also works as a program 

support specialist in USU’s Administrative 

Support Division, was selected for his outstanding work ethic and ability to expertly 

manage multiple tasks and responsibilities. 

 As an EEO collateral duty counselor, 

Burke provides technical assistance with 

discrimination complaints, creates official 

USU reports, coordinates EEO-sponsored 

events and distributes information about 

EEO training and procedures. 

 This work helps streamline the complex 

responsibilities that befall EEO employees 

at USU. 

 “Obviously, new and varying procedures 

and regulations consistently prevail in the 

EEO area. It is almost impossible to envision how I would handle all of the technical, distribution and coordination requirement if were not for Mr. Burke’s efficient support,” said Patricia Burke, director of EEO programs at USU. “Mr. Burke 

sets the perfect example of an employee 

who truly goes above and beyond in his 

service to the USU family. I can think of 

no one more deserving of recognition as 

the Senior Employee of the Quarter.” 

Photo by Thomas Balfour 
December 16, 2013 5

 Robert Carter, a materials handler in the 

Logistics Division, is the Junior Employee 

of the Quarter at the Uniformed Services 

University. 

 Carter earned the title after serving at 

USU for more than 22 years. His long 

tenure has been characterized by superior 

results for both Logistics and USU as a 

whole. 

 Carter’s primary work responsibilities 

include delivering gases for the university, 

maintaining and troubleshooting gas cylinders and valve connections, and processing, organizing and delivering USU’s 

linens and lab coat inventory. 

 Carter, who is best known around campus for his positive attitude and professional acumen, is sponsored by The Arc, a 

national grassroots organization that is 

committed to the welfare of people with 

developmental disabilities. 

 “Robert has had to overcome numerous 

physical, emotional and social obstacles 

throughout his life,” said Bobby Pritchett, 

chief of the Receiving and Distribution 

Branch of the Logistics Division at USU. 

“Over the years, it has been his coworkers’ pleasure to watch Robert develop 

and succeed — slowly and unevenly at 

first — but eventually, with proper guidance, Robert has realized the potential 

that lies within him. This has enabled 

him to excel and become the outstanding 

employee he is today.” 

Junior Employee of the Quarter 

By Christine Creenan-Jones, editor Alpha Omega Alpha hosts 

specialty night at USU 

 Medical students at the Uniformed Services University 

took part in a Military Medicine Specialty Night, Dec. 3. 

 The event, sponsored by the 

USU chapter of Alpha Omega 

Alpha, gave students a valuable opportunity to learn more 

about different specialties and 

meet with leaders in military 

medicine, residency program 

directors and specialty leaders 

from across the country. 

 “The specialty night is a 

great opportunity for USU and 

HPSP (Health Professions 

Scholarship Program) students to inquire about their 

future career opportunities in 

military medicine,” said Dr. 

Joseph Lopreiato, associate 

dean for Simulation Education 

who attended the specialty 

night event. 

 The event included formal 

presentations and questionand-answer sessions. Attendees also received mentoring and advice from subject 

matter experts from the Naval 

Medical Center Portsmouth, 

Walter Reed National Military 

Medical Center and the National Capital Consortium, 

who shared information about 

residency programs available 

to graduates in areas such as 

pathology, orthopedic surgery 

and pediatrics. 

 “Students got face-to-face 

contact with specialists from 

various fields and from all four 

services to ask about training 

opportunities, training sites 

and the patient mix in their 

specialty. The evening allowed 

students to explore multiple 

specialties at their leisure in 

one place,” said Lopreiato.

By MC2 Brittney Cannady, writer 

Students at the Uniformed Services University attended the Military 

Medicine Specialty Night to learn more about graduate medical education 

opportunities, Dec. 3. 

Photo by Army 2nd Lt. Alexander Knobloch 

The Learning Resource Center at the Uniformed Services 

University is sponsoring several professional development classes in December, including Understanding 

Copyright and Essential Search Skills. University 

personnel can sign up online at 

www.lrc.usuhs.edu. 

Photo by Thomas Balfour 
6 The Pulse The Pulse · The Official USU Newsletter 

AFRRI health physicists earn rigorous CHP certification 

By Christine Creenan-Jones, editor 

 Two officers at the Armed Forces 

Radiobiology Research Institute at 

the Uniformed Services University 

accomplished a challenging feat 

recently by passing both portions of 

the rigorous Certified Health Physicists Examination. As a result, Army Maj. Aaron Miaullis and Air 

Force Capt. Brian Livingston joined 

an esteemed group of health science professionals who’ve earned a 

certification in Comprehensive 

Health Physics by the American 

Board of Health Physicists. 

 Earning a CHP is both rare and 

extraordinary. The overall pass 

rate for parts one and two of the 

exam is less than 30 percent, and 

the second part of the test, for these 

officers, could only be taken once 

they had practiced health physics 

for at least five years. 

 “CHP certification is a big deal in 

the health physics world, because 

passing the examination requires a 

tremendous amount of knowledge 

and skill across multiple health 

physics’ domains,” said Army Col. 

(Dr.) Neil Page, Head of Military 

Medical Operations at AFRRI. 

“This credential puts Maj. Miaullis 

and Capt. Livingston at the absolute top of their practice. It also 

reflects well on our institute as a 

whole, because it demonstrates the 

caliber of our workforce here at 

AFRRI.” 

 The expansive skill set that 

earned Miaullis and Livingston 

their CHP certification is also being 

leveraged by AFRRI to ensure national safety in the event of a radiological accident. This work includes 

deploying to international locations 

to provide instruction on the medical effects of ionizing radiation and 

responding to nuclear disaster accidents as part of the Medical Radiobiology Advisory Teams, which in 

the past has included missions to 

Japan after the Fukushima Daiichi 

nuclear power plant experienced a 

full meltdown that was caused by a 

powerful earthquake and tsunamis 

in 2011. 

 Livingston was an integral member of Operation Tomodachi, the 

U.S. military’s relief response to the 

Japanese crisis. His leadership was 

crucial then and it has been used to 

inform the education and consultation services that Miaullis, Livingston and other university health 

physicists provide as part of their 

everyday work at AFRRI.

Army Maj. Aaron Miaullis and Air Force Capt. Brian Livingston recently earned a 

certification in Comprehensive Health Physicists by the American Board of Health 

Physicists.

https://twitter.com/usuhspao 

www.facebook.com/pages/UniformedServices-University-of-the-HealthSciences/96338890888 

Photo by Christine Creenan-Jones 
December 16, 2013 7

Tis the season for giving, which for many personnel at the Uniformed Services University means donating to 

the Combined Federal Campaign, the world’s largest, most successful workplace charity. At USU, the reasons 

for giving are as diverse as the CFC charities they support, but here are a few reasons why USU gives: 

Word on Campus 

By Christine Creenan-Jones, editor 

“I give because I believe it’s 

important to help others and 

the CFC makes doing so both 

easy and efficient.”

-Air Force Col. Arnyce Pock

“I give because I come from a 

charitable family, and I 

learned early in life that it is 

better to give than receive. I 

started giving as soon as I 

joined the military in 1990 and 

have been doing so ever since.” 

-Stephen Huntington

“For those to whom much has 

been given, much is also expected in return. The CFC 

represents a tangible way to 

provide meaningful financial 

support to organizations 

providing special services to 

the warrior-based causes I 

believe in.” 

-Navy Capt. Mark Stephens

“My husband and I give to the 

CFC because we recognize how 

blessed we have been in our 

family, friends and work. The 

CFC is a guaranteed venue for 

ensuring that our annual contributions go as far as possible 

to benefit others.” 

-Mary Dix

“I always feel privileged to annually participate in the philanthropic mission of the CFC 

because there is no greater reward than helping those in 

need. The CFC provides a golden opportunity to receive a 

sense of fulfillment through 

giving.” 

-Bob Thompson

“I always give to Make A 

Wish for Children, which 

grants each sick child a 

“wish.” It is something positive to fill sick children’s lives 

with joy.

-Sandra Silbergeld

The Combined Federal Campaign at the Uniformed 

Services University is currently underway. Personnel 

wishing to contribute to the CFC can donate online 

through the Defense Finance and Accounting Service’s 

MyPay and CFC websites, by cash or check, and 

through payroll deduction. Each USU department also 

has a designated CFC keyworker who can answer questions and guide pledgers through the donation process. 
Final Frame 

The Uniformed Services University hosted a chili cook-off to raise money and 

awareness for the Combined Federal Campaign, Dec. 11. The event featured 18 

chili recipes and attracted a large crowd of tasters, who doubled as guest judges. 

Photo by MC2 Brittney Cannady