The Official USU Newsletter

Volume 5, Issue 13 n September 27, 2010

www.usuhs.mil
On the cover

Air Force Master Sgt. Jacqueline Johanning 

gives a flu vaccination to USU Brigade 

commander, Navy Capt. (Dr.)Tanis Batsel 

Stewart. USU personnel are reminded 

of the importance of getting vaccinated 

against potential diseases. See story 

page 4.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew Rosine

William Bester

Vice President for External Affairs 

and Managing Editor

Ken Frager

Public Affairs Specialist

Staff Sgt. Matthew Rosine

Production Editor

MC1 Chad Hallford

Writer

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.

Grad student earns National Society 

Research Fellowship

by Ken Frager

2 The Pulse The Official USU Newsletter

Jeremy Gilbreath is the recipient 

of the 2010-2013 American Society 

of Microbiology (ASM) D. Watkins 

Graduate Research Fellowship. 

Gilbreath is a second-year Emerging 

Infectious Diseases graduate student. 

The elite opportunity recognizes “the 

best and the brightest rising scientists 

who will represent the (ASM) society 

and themselves to their full potential.” 

“I and the entire Emergency Infectious Diseases program are very 

proud that Jeremy was chosen to 

receive this distinguished fellowship,” 

said Dr. Scott Merrell, Department 

of Microbiology and Immunology 

associate professor. “Given that only 

seven such awards were given nationally, his selection is a true reflection 

of Jeremy’s potential as a promising young scientist. Moreover, his 

successful competition with individuals from diverse schools across the 

country sends a strong message that 

those outside of our university recognize the significant science being 

conducted and graduate training 

being provided at USU.” 

This three-year award, which totals 

more than $60,000 over the life, will be 

used by Gilbreath to continue to conduct 

research in the microbiological sciences. 

The fellowship stipend is used to 

cover living expenses and expenses 

related to travel to scientific meetings. 

As a fellow, Gilbreath also is required 

to submit an abstract for presentation at 

the ASM General Meeting each year. 

Jeremy Gilbreath

Photo by Thomas Balfour

Photo by HM1 Oliver

Air Force 2nd Lt. Toni 

Shorma cuts the Air 

Force’s Birthday cake 

during a ceremony 

outside Sanford 

Auditorium. On Sept. 18, 

2010 Airmen around 

the world celebrated the 

Air Force’s 63 years of 

heritage and airpower 

in the United States.

Happy 

Birthday
The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for 

the Advancement of Military Medicine 

has selected three promising USU 

doctoral students to receive fellowships 

for the 2010-2011 academic year. 

The program established in 1988, 

comprises two Henry M. Jackson 

Fellowships and one Val G. Hemming 

Fellowship. Each fellow receives a 

stipend and travel support. 

Diana Riner, a fourth-year graduate student in the Emerging Infections 

Diseases program, won the Val G. 

Hemming Fellowship. Riner works in the 

laboratory of Dr. Stephen Davies, focusing on the parasite Schistosoma mansoni. 

Interested in understanding the 

mechanism by which S. mansoni 

exploit the human immune system to 

facilitate its own development, Riner’s 

data have led her to hypothesize that 

Schistosomes co-opt immune signals 

released by dead or damaged host liver 

cells in response to physical damage 

caused by the parasite. Riner’s research 

into these innate immune signals could 

lend insights into the development of 

new drug targets and vaccine strategies for the treatment and prevention of Schistosomiasis, the second 

most socioeconomically devastating 

parasitic disease after malaria. 

Nearly 200 million people worldwide 

are infected with the disease.

Norah Hibbits, recipient of a 

Henry M. Jackson Fellowship, is 

a sixth-year student completing 

her thesis project in Dr. Regina 

Armstrong’s laboratory in the Neuroscience program at USU. 

Hibbits’ research centers on mouse 

models of axon demyelination and 

remyelination. Central nervous system 

demyelination can result in severe 

motor and cognitive deficits. Multiple 

sclerosis is a leading cause of CNS 

demyelination in humans. Hibbits’ 

research aims to better understand 

factors that affect the cellular repair 

response to demyelination, research 

which will be helpful in identifying 

novel treatments for Multiple Sclerosis.

Sangeetha Rajesh, a fifth-year student in 

the Molecular and Cell Biology program, 

also received a Henry M. Jackson Fellowship. Rajesh works in the laboratory of Dr. 

Thomas Darling studying tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), a genetic disorder with 

an incidence of 1 in 6,000. 

These TSC patients develop tumors 

in multiple organs, such as brain, 

kidney, heart, lungs and skin. In her 

research on angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in TSC skin tumors, she has 

identified proteins that stimulate blood 

and lymphatic vessels that may contribute to the development of these tumors. 

By using drugs to counteract these 

proteins, Rajesh hopes to develop new 

treatments for this devastating disease. 

The Henry M. Jackson Foundation 

is a private, not-for-profit organization 

established in 1983. It is authorized by 

Congress to support medical research 

and education at the Uniformed 

Services University of the Health 

Sciences as well as the broader military 

medical community. 

September 27, 2010 3

Henry M. Jackson Foundation names three Fellowship winners

Diana Riner Norah Hibbits Sangeetha Rajesh

Photo by Thomas Balfour Photo by Thomas Balfour Photo by Thomas Balfour

The USU Combined Federal Campaign BBQ Kick-Off will be held Tuesday, 

Oct. 5 from 11:30am–1:30pm. This event will feature guest speakers, offer 

giveaways, a great BBQ lunch and the chance for all University personnel to 

meet representatives from numerous charitable organizations.
4 The Pulse The Official USU Newsletter

USU prepares for the flu season

by Ken Frager 

Fall may be just arriving but so 

is the start of preparation for the 

annual flu season. The University 

Family Health Center is ready and has 

received its first round of vaccines.

“The Centers for Disease Control 

and Prevention (CDC) is recommending that everyone six months of age 

or older receives the vaccine this year, 

including women who are pregnant 

or breastfeeding,” said HM1 Daryl 

Mercado, coordinator for this season’s 

vaccine initiative. “There is only one 

shot or dose of nasal mist this year since 

the manufacturers included the H1N1 

strain in this vaccine. This should make 

it easier for people to tolerate. We are 

following the CDC recommendations, 

and while the vaccine is Category C for 

pregnancy, we recommend that women 

who are pregnant or nursing should be 

vaccinated.”

“The best action we can take to 

prevent the spread of the flu virus is 

to provide the most effective vaccine 

available, to make sure everyone who 

is at-risk receives their vaccine, and to 

ensure proper precautions if someone 

has flu-like symptoms,” said Navy 

Capt. (Dr.) Jeffrey Quinlan, medical 

director for the USU Clinic. “We will 

do our part by providing vaccine for 

all active-duty USU students and staff, 

as well as family members, once our 

full allotment is received. Currently 

there is only a limited supply available, and therefore, we are taking this 

one group at a time, beginning with 

the MS1 and MS2 students. We will be 

updating the University through the 

GroupWise email system and RelayHealth as vaccine becomes available.” 

Anyone who can, is encouraged to get 

the vaccine through the local schools 

or programs as they become available. 

It is possible that some of the counties 

may receive Maryland doses prior to 

the DoD receiving its entire shipment.

The clinic will have both injectable and mist for distribution, but 

recommendations call for most of the 

USU population to receive the mist. 

People between the ages of six and 

The Pulse Spotlight: 

Name: 

Harrison J. Rodriguez

Duty title: 

IT SPECIALIST (APPSW/DATAMGT)

How long have you worked 

with USU? 

I have worked with USU for 11 years, 

4 1/2 years for the University Registrar’s 

Office and 6 1/2 years for Civilian 

Human Resources.

What brought you to USU?

I came to USU after 11 years with the 

U.S. Army as a Forward Observer. As a 

soldier, I enjoyed the camaraderie, team 

work and, most importantly, the unit of 

one. I realized that USU had all these 

characteristics and more... and this 

is what brought me to USU. “Steel on 

Target,” Sir!

What is your favorite part of USU? 

It’s the people and our leadership. 

No matter who you are and what 

you do, your hard work is recognized 

and appreciated. I give thanks to my 

leadership for believing in me and 

giving me the opportunity to succeed.

What advice would you pass on 

to people new to USU?

Be positive, work hard and always strive 

to be the best.

24 months and over the age of 49, 

should receive the injectable vaccine. 

At this time, we only have Afluria®. 

This vaccine is not recommended for 

children six months to nine years, 

in accordance with CDC guidelines. 

The DoD is researching this issue to 

acquire another vaccine, Fluzone®. 

This means, children who fall into 

this age group (above 24 months to 

nine years) will only be offered the 

Flumist® at this time. Children who 

are not eligible to receive the mist 

(because of age or a documented 

medical issue) should consider the 

alternate options.

Quinlan adds that anyone in a highrisk group who doesn’t want to wait can 

take advantage of their Tricare Prime 

benefits options and receive the vaccine 

at many of the local grocery stores and 

pharmacies that are participating. Information is available at express-scripts.

com/tricare or by calling 877-363-1303. 

Other insurance plans also offer vaccine 

arrangements so call the customer 

service number or check the appropriate websites for information.

“The flu remains a frequent cause 

of illness and hospitalization in the 

U.S., but there are things we can do 

to reduce risks. If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms we recommend 

you follow appropriate precautions, 

including hand washing, proper sneezing etiquette, and minimize exposure 

to others,” said Dr. Quinlan. “If you 

feel you require medical attention for 

your flu symptoms, please call first 

for an appointment to limit exposure 

to other clinic patients. Active-duty 

service members should call at 0715 

for quarters or acute appointments and 

dependants are to call at 0800 hours 

for acute same-day appointments.

Because a majority of flu patients 

simply require rest and fluids or 

occasional over-the-counter medications to help alleviate the symptoms 

associated with the flu, the clinic staff 

is recommending that you stay home 

(avoid public venues) until you are not 

running a fever for 24-hours. 

Photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew Rosine
September 27, 2010 5

Recognizing excellence

Photo by HM1 Michael Oliver

Twenty-three USU Brigade military members pose for a picture with Brigade commander, Navy Capt. Tanis Batsel Stewart (Second row, 

far left) and Brigade Senior Enlisted Leader, Navy Master Chief Petty Officer Clinton Garrett (Second Row, far right). Each military service 

member was recognized during a Brigade Award Ceremony, Aug. 27 for their outstanding contributions while serving the University. 

Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress 

Resources Featured at Pentagon

At the request of Headquarters, 

Department of the Army, Army 

Health Promotion, Risk Reduction 

Task Force, educational resources of 

the Center for the Study of Traumatic 

Stress were part of a September 

Suicide Prevention Month display at 

the Pentagon. 

The display appeared in Corridors 9 and 10 of the Pentagon Sept. 7 

through Sept. 9. 

The featured resources of the 

display included CSTS suicide fact 

sheets and Courage to Care Courage 

to Talk brochures and posters. 

The center’s Courage to Care 

Courage to Talk campaign and 

resources address the importance 

of communication around the 

injuries of war. It focuses between 

the military family and healthcare 

provider, and within the family itself, 

especially talking with children. 

The Courage to Care Courage 

to Talk resources developed by the 

center’s Child and Family Program 

and its Office of Public Education are 

also being featured on the Pentagon 

InfoNet through the end of November. The Pentagon InfoNet, is part 

of the Department of Defense’s 

Washington Headquarters Services 

(WHS), Defense Facilities Directorate (DFD) and the Information 

Technology Management Directorate (ITMD) within the Pentagon. 

It will project the Courage to 

Talk brochure in high traffic 

areas in the Pentagon and in 44 

of its systems in federal buildings 

including enclosures in the Pentagon, Hoffman 1 and 2, Taylor, Polk, 

Henderson and the Navy Annex. 

InfoNet dispatches unclassified 

timely events and program updates 

using a combination of digital 

imagery, video and animated text on 

large, flat-screen monitors. 

Approximately 160, 000 people view 

the InfoNet during any given week. 

Contributed by Nancy Vineburgh, CSTS
6 The Pulse The Official USU Newsletter

Renewing Thai collaboration

Renewing more than a decade 

of collaboration, the USU Office of 

Affiliations and International Affairs 

was honored to host a visit with Lt. 

Gen. Vidthya Chovichien, Surgeon 

General of the Royal Thai Army 

Medical Department. 

He was accompanied by three delegation members who are on the faculty 

at the Thai military medical school, 

Phramongkutklao College of Medicine 

and Hospital. They are Maj. Gen. 

Krisada Duangurai, Director General/

Dean; Col. Prapaipim Thirakhupt, 

Chairperson Department of Pediatrics; 

and Col. Suthee Panichkul, Head, Office 

of Research and Development. 

The delegation spent the day meeting 

with senior USU leadership, followed 

by a visit to the National Capital Area 

Medical Simulation Center. 

The highlight of the visit was 

the renewing of the long-standing 

relationship between the USU Office of 

Affiliations and International Affairs led 

by Vice President Dr. Jeffrey Longacre, 

and the Thai Army Medical Department. 

This relationship was officially renewed 

during the ceremonial signing of a joint 

memorandum of understanding. 

The University relationship 

with the Phramongkutklao 

College of Medicine and Hospital 

includes USU hosting a group 

of Thai medical cadets annually 

for a month-long clinical 

observation. 

Photo by Thomas Balfour

Taking Command

Photo by HM1 Michael Oliver

Marine Capt. Matthew Anderson takes the USU Headquarters Company guide on from Brigade Commander, Navy Capt. (Dr.) Tanis Batsel 

Stewart. Captain Anderson took command from Marine Capt. Sean Lynch, who was represented by Army Capt. Sean Tyler, the acting 

commander since 2009.

by Brianne Kurtz, Office of Affiliations and International Affairs
September 27, 2010 7

Briefs

DAI training courses available 

In October, the College and University 

Financial System (CUFS) will be replaced 

by the Defense Agency Initiative’s (DAI) 

Oracle Federal Financial System. 

To coincide with the October implementation of the Defense Agency Initiative’s (DAI) Oracle Federal Financial 

System, the following DAI training classes 

will be offered through early October. 

To reserve a class date for a DAI 

course, register online at: http://www.

lrc.usuhs.mil/content/usutraining_reg.

php. Additional DAI training class dates 

will be offered as needed.

For more information about DAI 

training, contact Debbie Trunnell at 

295-9869 or Bob Parker at 295-3287.

New carpool guidance

The USU is currently transitioning 

to the new carpool program and any 

groups who wish to use the carpool 

garage at USU will have to apply to 

the NSAB.

An authorized carpool group can 

park in any of the spaces 1 thru 41 in 

the carpool area at this time. Once the 

carpool garage is full all other carpool 

groups will have to seek parking in the 

USU garage. 

Drivers who arrive as the only 

member of their carpool group should 

not park in the assigned carpool area 

prior to 9 a.m. These drivers should 

park in the general USU parking areas. 

To legally park in the USU carpool 

area a vehicle must have an L-1 sticker 

on the rear of your vehicle and a 

carpool rearview mirror hanger. 

The carpool area will be open to all 

“L1” and “W” stickers between 9 a.m. 

and 5 a.m. 

Drivers should also be aware that 

the base police will be enforcing this 

program. The USU Security office will 

assist in enforcing the program. 

Drivers at AFRRI should be aware 

that they are not included in the USU 

carpool program. 

If you have additional questions you 

may contact the USU Security Department at 295-3033. 

Upcoming LRC classes 

The USU James A. Zimble Learning Resource Center will be holding 

several upcoming classes in the month 

of October. 

The following classes will be offered 

at the LRC: 

Intro to PubMed will be held Oct. 

6 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. 

EndNote Basics will be held Oct. 

7 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

EndNote Web will be held Oct. 8 

from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Intro to PubMed will be held Oct. 

18 from noon to 1 p.m. 

EndNote Basics will be held Oct. 

25 from noon to 1 p.m. 

Tech Buzz: Ownership & the Web 

- Copyright & OA will be held 

July 28 from noon to 1 p.m. 

People interested in attending 

these classes may sign up for them 

online at http://er.lrc.usuhs.mil/

content/training_reg.php. 

Classes will be held in the LRC’s 

computer classroom on the first floor.

A Common Access Card, or CAC, 

that is enabled for domain login is 

required to use LRC computers. 

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 self-coded 

or non-licensed software on network 

resources; add, remove, configure, or 

attempt to modify USU computer operating systems or programs; move audio/

visual or network cables, computers or 

attempt to connect personal computers to the network including MDL and 

lecture hall spaces; connect personal 

devices except for those previously 

authorized by UIS; download pornographic material and store or display offensive material, such as racist literature, 

sexually harassing or obscene language 

or material; store or process classified 

information on any USU system.

Personnel must not permit unauthorized individuals access to a 

government-owned or governmentoperated system or program; access 

online gambling, games and social 

engineering sites.

Helpdesk closure

The UIS helpdesk is closed for training on Thursdays from 10 to 11 a.m. 

During this time, you can leave a 

voicemail message at 295-9800, utilize 

the HEAT Self Service (http://www.

usuhs.mil/uis/forms/trouble.html), or 

email help@usuhs.mil. 

If an emergency should arise, please 

call 295-9870.

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 testing dates 

or times.

Professional activities

The Department of Defense and USU 

policy requires that all employees, both 

military and civilian, receive approval 

for engaging in any activity outside their 

work environment, which involves their 

professional expertise or government 

occupation, and involves compensation.

This approval is required prior to 

engaging in the activity. 

In order to get approval, any employee 

can complete a USUHS Form 1004. 

This completed form must be approved 

and signed by each department chair or 

activity head. 

These forms are available in the 

General Counsel’s office or online at the 

USU OGC Web site.

Completed forms must be turned in 

to the General Counsel’s office. The form 

will be routed to the appropriate dean, 

brigade commander or USUHS president. 

Once processing is completed, a copy 

of the approved form will be returned to 

the employee for the employee’s records.