Uniformed Services University 

of the Health Sciences 

USU Newsletter 

WWW.USUHS.MIL APRIL 3, 2006 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 7 

In This Issue 

AHA guidelines change..1 

History of Bushmaster...1 

BRAC/Integration..........2 

Faculty Senate..............3 

CHE.............................4 

Minnesota's Navy Week.6 

Student Spouses Club....6 

Look who’s Talking.......7 

Letter from the Editor.....7 

Letter from Gracie..........7 

Calendar of Events...Back

Uniformed Services University 

of the Health Sciences 

WWW.USUHS.MIL JUNE 30, 2006 

Happy 4th of July

MTN takes lead on rolling out new 

American Heart Association guidelines 

 In an effort to adhere to the new American 

Heart Association (AHA) guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Emergency 

Cardiovascular Care (ECC), the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences’ (USU) 

Military Training Network (MTN) has administered the updated resuscitative training to all 

Department of Defense training sites worldwide. 

 The new guidelines will take effect July 1, 

2006 and the MTN has been conducting a 

series of one-day seminars to approximately 

500 program directors since March 2006. 

 MTN’s first goal was to update the 500 program directors through 11 seminars throughout the continental United States and overseas. The seminars were conducted by four 

MTN primary instructors with briefings provided by expert consultants who were appointed by the surgeons general, explained 

the MTN Director Lt. Col. Ryan Shercliffe, Air 

Force. 

 The next phase is to have the program directors update more than 12,000 MTN instructors worldwide. The feedback received from 

the directors thus far is that the seminars have 

gone exceedingly well, Colonel Shercliffe said. 

 The main purpose for the 2005 AHA guidelines for CPR and ECC is to improve survival 

rates from cardiac arrest by increasing the 

number of victims of cardiac arrest who receive early, high-quality CPR. 

By Tech. Sgt. André Nicholson 

NCOIC, Office of External Affairs 

See MTN, Page 5 

History of Bushmaster....Part I of II 

 The first dean of the Uniformed Services University of 

the Health Sciences (USU) F. 

Edward Hébert School of 

Medicine, Dr. Jay Sanford, 

stated the educational objective of the curriculum is: “To 

prepare the graduate to serve 

successfully, following internship, as a general medical officer in the emergency room of 

a fixed military medical facility 

or as a general medical officer 

at the forward-most point on 

the modern battlefield at 

which physicians are positioned.” 

 Dr. Sanford believed that 

the totality of the USU required curriculum in the basic 

sciences, clinical sciences, and 

military medicine formed a 

unique intellectual basis for 

this educational objective. He 

directed that the school’s academic faculty create a formal 

curricular element using the 

structure of a military field 

exercise to test the ability of 

the students to meet the second element of this educational objective; he envisioned 

this exercise not as “field training,” but as a “graduate level 

educational laboratory experience conducted in the field” 

during the senior year of medical school. 

 More than 30 years ago, 

Congress established USU as 

the nation’s military medical 

academic university and it was 

in those formative years that 

Dr. Sanford’s vision created 

what has come to be known 

as Operation Bushmaster. 

 At that time, there was not, 

By Dr. Barry Wolcott and 

Tech. Sgt. André Nicholson 

See BUSHMASTER, Page 5 

Fourth-year medical students provide treatment to simulated 

patients during Operation Bushmaster 1995. 

Photo courtesy of Audio Visual 
PAGE 2 

Dr. Rice announces university 

reorganization

News 

USU Newsletter 

Editorial Staff 

Carol R. Scheman 

Vice President Office 

of External Affairs and 

Managing Editor 

Tech. Sgt. 

 André Nicholson 

Editor 

Mass Communications 

2nd Class 

Kory Kepner 

Assistant Editor and 

Staff Writer 

Mass Communications 

Seaman Apprentice 

Raul Zamora 

Staff Writer 

 

Sharon Willis 

Director 

Alumni Affairs and 

Contributing Writer 

Marla Wright 

Webmaster

 

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. 

INTEGRATION~As I See It 

Integration Planning to Date 

 Integration of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) and the National Naval Medical Center (NNMC) began a year ago with the decisions of 

facility commanders, Maj. Gen. Kenneth Farmer and 

Rear Adm. Adam Robinson, When the BRAC decisions were announced in May planning for integration of the two facilities prior to actual co-location 

began in earnest. 

 In August, the “Flags” shared their vision for 

“jointly staffed inpatient campuses at the Walter 

Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) 

at Bethesda (North) and Fort Belvoir (South).” “The 

WRNMMC will serve as a world class academic 

health center focused on highest quality health 

care, graduate medical education, and clinical research while serving as a worldwide military referral 

center.” With this vision in mind, Charles L. Rice, 

M.D., president of USU, and Brig. Gen. Thomas 

Travis, now commander, 79th Medical Wing, were 

added to the Flag oversight team. 

 An Integration Steering Committee and an Advisory Committee were created and subcommittees 

began to work on clinical, graduate medical education, healthcare operations, and communications 

aspects of integration. In October, the Flags sponsored the first National Capital Area (NCA) integration offsite planning retreat. An emphasis on 

“Functional Integration” where “an area appears as 

a single organizational unit to internal and external 

customers” was begun. 

 In February, additional subcommittees for administration, nursing, information technology, and 

research were formed. The Graduate Medical Education committee was broadened to include all 

forms of medical education, and the university was 

given the opportunity to provide representation on 

each sub-committee. 

 A blueprint for integration was drafted which 

directs four stages of integration. 

I. Integration of WRAMC, NNMC, 

 and USU by spring of 2007. 

II. Integration of the other bedded 

 facilities with the above by fall 2007. 

III. Integration of the other medical 

 facilities in the NCA by spring 2008. 

IV. Integration of the Tricare 

 Network by spring 2008. 

 The subcommittees worked on developing goals 

and objectives for the integration of their areas according to this blueprint. These plans, with emphasis on actions for the coming year, were briefed to 

the Flag Oversight Group April 14. 

 As the BRAC process moved forward to plan for 

$1.5 billion to build and remodel 1.750 million 

square feet at Bethesda and Fort Belvoir, the need 

to bring the community up-to-date was recognized 

and a second NCA integration offsite was held at 

USU. 

 At the offsite 150 invited participants reviewed 

their hopes and fears for the new facilities. Flag 

officers presented their visions, and participants 

discussed strengths, weaknesses, and then proposed action steps. Everyone left, as agents of 

change, with a new sense of vision and energy for 

integration. 

 The highlight of the event was the release of a 

new vision statement that puts USU at the heart of 

the vision: 

 We envision and are committed to one integrated National Capital Area (NCA) military health 

care system. The Tri-Service Walter Reed National 

Military Medical Center at Bethesda will lead the 

integrated NCA military health care system. The 

NCA integrated military health care system, together with the Uniformed Services University of 

the Health Sciences will be a worldwide military 

medical referral center. This premier academic 

medical center will focus on the highest quality 

care, distinguished health professions education, 

and exemplary clinical and translational research.

By Vern Schinski, Ph.D. 

Special Assistant to the USU President for BRAC 

Integration 
News 

PAGE 3 

Faculty Senate....who, what, why? 

 The Faculty Assembly is a forum through which information 

may be disseminated and exchanged, and university policies can 

be discussed and deliberated. Faculty members of the Uniformed 

Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) did just that during their assembly June 14. 

 The assembly functions primarily through the Faculty Senate, 

which is a representative body that provides the faculty with a 

mechanism to participate in the governance of the university. The 

senate has the unique position of formulating issues of concern to 

the faculty and has the responsibility to convey these to the university administration. 

 There are three faculty members in presidential positions in the 

Faculty Senate, which include the president, president-elect, and 

the past-president. The purpose for this is so the institutional memory is maintained. The presidency rotates between a basic science 

faculty member and a clinical science faculty member, and civilian 

and military members, if possible, so there is a balance across the 

leadership, explained Dr. Denes Agoston, Faculty Senate president. The other senate officer is the secretary treasurer 

 The faculty senate is also made up of six standing committees 

which operate under a shared governance. They provide input to 

Charles L. Rice, M.D., USU president, and also offer solutions to 

issues which may be of concern to the faculty. 

 The six committees are: Comparability and Welfare Committee, 

which deals with items such as the welfare of the faculty, salary, 

and compensation; Education Committee, which deals with faculty development and teaching issues; Research Committee, 

which handles all aspects of research activities, concerns of researchers and users, and solutions to make things work better; 

Constitution Committee, which reviews the Faculty Senate constitution at least once a year and proposes changes to the senate, 

then they bring them before the assembly for voting; Election 

Nomination Committee, is only active during the second half of 

the year and is responsible for the new Faculty Senate elections; 

and the Communications Committee, which basically disseminates information to the faculty. 

 The Faculty Assembly meets at least twice a year, and the committees report their duties, goals, accomplishments, and any remaining issues during this time. This month, the assembly met and 

started by presenting the Carol J. Johns Medal to Dr. Alison 

O’Brien for exemplifying the vision of Dr. Johns. 

 “She (Dr. O’Brien) is a role model for women everywhere,” Dr. 

Agoston said, “She is proof that women can have a great personal 

and professional life and be a great contribution to the community.” 

 The Faculty Senate also awarded the first Faculty Appreciation 

Award to Stephen Brown, Learning Resource Center. The award is 

given for outstanding support and help to the faculty so USU can 

excel in research, teaching and patient care, and for maintaining 

the culture of collegiality and professionalism. 

By Tech. Sgt. André Nicholson 

NCOIC, Office of External Affairs 

(Left to right) Spc. Nancy Meadows, Marine Capt. Timothy Gerlach, HM1 Samuel McFall, Tech. Sgt. James Barnes 

and Staff Sgt. Randall Flynn perform the flag folding ceremony at the State Anatomy Boards annual memorial 

service at Springfield Hospital Center in Sykesville, Md., June 19. It was the second time the USU color guard presented the colors and Captain Gerlach sang the National Anthem - solo a cappella - at the ceremony . “This 

Monument Has Been Placed With Deep Appreciation For Those Who Gave Unselfishly of Themselves to Advance Medical Education and Research,” is the inscription on the headstone. Donors range from newborns to 

prisoners. The ceremony was provided to remember their lives and the donation they’ve made to the medical 

community. 

Photo by Jeff Swope 

With Deep Appreciation 
PAGE 4 

Feature 

Life long learning: 

Foundation of health care 

The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences 

(USU) has a department that promotes opportunities for doctors 

and nurses to continue to advance 

the skills and knowledge for professional proficiency in their fields. 

The Office of Continuing Education for Health Professionals 

(CHE) sponsors continuing education activities for members of the 

federal health care delivery system 

and contributes to the maintenance of high standards of health 

care within federal health care 

services. 

“People want to feel comfortable that physicians and nurses are 

competent and in tune 

with current practices; 

that’s what CHE and 

USU are all about,” said 

Charlotte Naschinski, 

MS, RN, director CHE. 

CHE achieves this 

standard of excellence 

through a vigorous 

and academically 

sound planning process. This process has six steps: 

needs assessment, identifying the 

objective, determining the content, 

identifying experts, implementing 

teaching strategies, and evaluating 

effectiveness. 

“First there needs to be a practice deficit or learning need,” Ms. 

Naschinski said. “For example, CHE 

has an innovative partnership with 

DOD’s National Quality Management Program that identifies gaps 

in knowledge or knowledge application. Special health care studies 

are conducted to compare care 

provided in the Military Health 

System to civilian benchmarks and 

to identify best practices. Educational interventions are developed 

and sponsored by CHE to meet 

identified learning needs/practice 

gaps. Also, there could be something new on the horizon such as 

new surgical skills or techniques 

are developed, a course is created 

to teach the new techniques and 

thereby keep surgeons up to 

date.” 

CHE has many different approaches to ensure that professionals who need training receive 

it. They hold conferences at USU, 

use video teleconferencing, send 

faculty to different areas of operations throughout the world, and 

offers internet training. 

Ms. Naschinski said that continuing education is one component of a lifelong learning process 

that begins when the future 

health care professionals enter 

formal training and continues 

throughout their professional career. Continuing education may be 

required for re-licensure or subspecialty organizations. 

“CHE achieves continuing 

education success due to its valued partnership with many USU 

internal and external departments 

and agencies to provide quality 

life long learning opportunities,” 

said Capt. Jane Mead, NC, Navy, 

senior executive director CHE. 

In addition, CHE establishes 

activities for non-federal civilian 

health professionals in disciplines 

where the body of knowledge is 

available within the federal services medical field and when that 

knowledge will add to the health 

of the nation, other countries, or 

the global community. 

Ms. Naschinski said that one 

unique effort of CHE is that they 

hold five USU accreditations in 

medical, nursing, psychology, 

healthcare executives and social 

work continuing education, and 

they currently have an application 

pending for a pharmacy accreditation. 

“USU’s CHE offers accredited 

education programs and assists 

our varied participants 

to polish their professional, clinical and 

readiness skills,” Captain Mead said. “In 

future endeavors, CHE 

is awaiting the outcome of its pharmacy 

continuing education 

accreditation application and is anticipating 

much growth supporting the Walter Reed National Military Medical 

Center at Bethesda.” 

 The CHE directorate provides 

a diverse approach to life long 

learning. These education activities engage health care providers 

in a learning spectrum preparing 

their response to ever-changing 

military medical readiness demands while supporting regulatory, compliance, and safety requirements of today's healthcare 

environment. 

 CHE’s education reach is 

global, serving the federal health 

care delivery system subsequently 

contributing to quality health care 

for our Military Health System 

beneficiaries. 

By MC2 Kory Kepner 

Staff Writer, Office of External Affairs 

Feature 

“People want to feel comfortable that 

physicians and nurses are competent 

and in tune with current practices, 

that’s what CHE and USU are all 

about,” 

Charlotte Naschinski, MS, RN, director CHE 
PAGE 5 

News 

 The five major changes in the 2005 guidelines are: 

 Emphasis on, and recommendations to improve, delivery of 

effective chest compressions 

  Single compressions-to-ventilation ratio for all single rescuers 

for all victims (except newborns) 

 Recommendation that each rescue breath be given over one 

second and should produce visible chest rise 

 A new recommendation that single shocks, followed by immediate CPR, be used to attempt defibrillation for ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest, rhythm checks should be performed every 

two minutes. 

 Endorsement of the 2003 ILCOR recommendation for use of 

Automated External Defibrillators in children 1 to 8 years old (and 

older); use a child dose-reduction system if available. 

 The mission of the Military Training Network is to develop and 

implement policy guidance and ensure compliance with curriculum and administrative standards for resuscitative and trauma 

medicine training programs for uniformed service members and 

DOD affiliates worldwide. The tri-service staff provides specific 

service expertise, central record keeping, worldwide coordination 

of programs and ensures national resuscitative and trauma medicine organizations are aware of military medicine's unique requirements. 

MTN, from Page 1 

and had never been, any such academic 

enterprise in American medical education. 

In fact, American military medical training 

had abandoned even medical field training 

exercises for medical corps officers in the 

aftermath of the Vietnam War. The university faculty would have to create this program from scratch, formally evaluate the 

program’s outcomes, and modify the program’s curriculum on the basis of those 

formal evaluations. 

 In 1978, Dr. Sanford appointed then 

Army Lt. Col. Barry Wolcott, MC, to USU’s 

faculty to serve as the project officer for the 

Senior Course in Operational and Emergency Medicine, as which he served until 

the fall of 1982. 

 The first evolution of this unnamed academic endeavor took place in the fall of 

1979 at the Army’s field medical operations 

area at Camp Bullis, Texas, for the 29 students of the charter 1980 medical school 

class. The exercise’s Operations Officer, 

Army Maj. Dennis Dugan, MSC, supplied 

the “Bushmaster” name before the second 

evolution in the fall of 1980; despite the 

fact that the name had no particular significance, it “stuck.” 

 By 1981, expansion of class size required 

running the exercise twice; once the medical school reached the current class size of 

165, it was necessary to run the exercise 

three times a year. 

 The Bushmaster exercise has had several 

important derivatives. These include: 

 The Combat Casualty Care Course 

(C4); the university created this course 

based upon the Bushmaster curriculum for 

the services as the American military’s first 

recurring tri-service training program 

(medical or otherwise); 

 The Military Training Network; the 

university was the first military medical element to routinely train medical officers in 

Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Advanced Trauma Life Support, and therefore 

created this mechanism to maintain their 

proficiency after graduation; 

 The “spin-off” from the senior year 

curriculum of Operation Kerkesner to be 

conducted at the end of the freshman year. 

 Obviously, Bushmaster has contributed 

more than 3,900 graduates to military 

medical service since that first evolution in 

1979. However, as with any academic endeavor, Bushmaster’s most important legacy will remain the military medical intellectual capital created, nurtured, refined and 

expanded by the USU faculty responsible 

for this unique curricular element during 

the 27 years of its existence. 

 Throughout those past 27 years, the 

operation has gone from being held several times a year at different locations such 

as San Antonio, Texas, to most recently 

being conducted once a year over a twoweek period at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania (FIG). 

 Dr. Sanford’s original vision of a graduate level educational laboratory experience 

conducted in the field during the senior 

year of medical school has since included 

students from the Graduate School of Nursing, and foreign exchange students. 

 In 2005, the Department of Military and 

Emergency Medicine (MEM) held both Operation Bushmaster and Operation Kerkesner simultaneously at FIG over a two week 

period. This year both field exercises will be 

conducted in July, again at FIG. 

 For a follow up to this year’s Operations 

Bushmaster/Kerkesner and how the simultaneous exercises came to be, look for Part 

II of the History of Bushmaster in a future 

issue of the USU Newsletter. 

BUSHMASTER, from Page 1 

Birthday celebrations 

 Col. Constance Moore, Army Nurse, commandant Graduate School of Nursing, and Pfc. 

Romeo Satsatin cut the cake at the celebration 

for the Army’s 231st Birthday June 16. The 

Army’s actual birthday is June 14. (Left photo) 

 The Navy Hospital Corps celebrated their 

108th Birthday June 17 and HMC Francisco Hilvano, senior enlisted advisor for the Navy medical students (Left) and HMSN Tinsae Tekleab, 

Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, 

cut the cake at the ceremony June 16. (Right 

photo) Photo by HM1 Jason Wright Photo by MCSA Raul Zamora 
News 

PAGE 6 

News 

It can be hard to adjust to a 

new command, especially for a 

significant other or the family 

members of a medical student, 

but at the Uniformed Services 

University of the Health Sciences 

(USU), the Student Spouses Club 

(SSC) is there to help. 

The SSC has been supporting 

spouses, fiancés (e), and significant others of USU students since 

1980. 

The main gatherings the SSC 

holds throughout the year are 

orientation, beginning of the year 

barbeque, seasonal parties and 

the information session. 

The orientation gives the significant other an idea of what the 

SSC has to offer. The beginning of 

the year barbeque is a time to 

relax before the beginning of a 

new school year. The holiday and 

the spring parties include activities 

for all family members. The information session lets students and 

significant others know what they 

could expect for the next school 

year. 

The information session splits 

off into groups for each year. First 

year medical students (MS1) talk 

about summer experiences. MS2s 

talk about their rotation period, 

MS3s talk about preparing for 

rotation and MS4s talk about their 

internship year. 

There are different committees the SSC offers to carry on 

various duties. The Sunshine Committee provides support with new 

births, marriages, passing of loved 

ones and encouragement to 

spouses, medical students and 

even non-member spouses as 

well. When studying for a final 

gets stressful, the Sunshine Committee is there to help motivate 

students with goodie bags. 

The parent-tot group helps 

parents and their kids, of all ages, 

have a good relationship. They 

take trips to different parks, museums, and other places in the District of Columbia. 

The Adult Social Committee 

develops friendships by organizing events that include game 

nights, pot lucks, scrap-booking, 

book clubs, bowling nights, girls 

or couples night out, White House 

tours and walk/run for charities. 

The Fundraising Committee 

raises money for the SSC. All the 

profits then go to charity. Last year 

a tamale and taco lunch was held. 

The Fundraising Committee will 

meet on July 5 in the student 

lounge to decide what this year’s 

fundraiser should be. “We try to 

plan ahead,” said SSC President 

Dana Davila, program support 

assistant at USU. “We want to 

make sure that everything runs 

smoothly.” 

“I think the most important 

part of the SSC is the friendship,” 

said SSC Vice President Margaret 

Legault, contract specialist at USU. 

In order to become a member 

of the SSC there is an online form 

at www.usuhs.mil/ssc and a yearly 

fee of 25 dollars to join the club. 

The monthly fee goes towards 

funding club activities and administrative costs. The SSC meets the 

first Wednesday of every month. 

“The club has spouses from 

all over the U.S.” said Fundraising 

Chair Kristen Brown, alumni affairs program assistant at USU. “A 

new spouse can come here and 

think they couldn’t have anything 

in common with the people here, 

but the reality is that we find people exactly like ourselves.” 

“Our main goal is to be a 

support system for the spouses 

and significant others of the 

medical students,” Mrs. Legault 

said. “Aside from the stress of 

being a student, many couples 

have to adjust to military life for 

the first time as well. We are here 

to make these transitions as 

smooth and pleasant as possible. 

We make some great friends and 

have a great time.” 

By MCSA Raul Zamora 

Staff Writer, VPE 

USU student spouses have place to go 

 Navy officer participates in Hometown Navy Week 

Capt. Cynthia Macri, MC, Navy, vice president 

for Recruitment and Diversity at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences has been selected to participate in this year’s Navy Week in St. 

Paul, Minn. 

“Navy and Fleet Week are chances for the Navy 

to be showcased in various places,” Captain Macri 

said. “It increases awareness and appreciation for 

the Navy.” 

She was invited to represent the Navy at various 

events. She will be the honorary host for the 

Schwan’s USA Cup, which is an important youth 

soccer tournament. Last year there were 15 countries, 29 states, 982 teams and 15,000 soccer players. 

She will also throw out the first pitch at a Minnesota Twins game after a pre-game enlistment ceremony. “I have always been a life long Minnesota 

Twins fan,” Captain Macri said. She will also spend 

Navy Day with the Minnesota Lynx professional 

women’s basketball team. 

Captain Macri, who was born in St. Paul, will 

speak to the Mayo School of Health Sciences and the 

University of Minnesota School of Nursing about the 

awareness of the Navy’s role in medicine. 

“It is overwhelming to represent the Navy, especially in someplace like that,” she said. “I’ll get to do a 

little bit of everything I like to do.” 

By MCSA Raul Zamora 

Staff Writer, VPE 

“Our main 

goal is to 

be a support system for the 

spouses 

and significant others 

of the 

medical 

students.” 

Margaret 

Legault, 

vice president, Student 

Spouses 

Club. 
 It's the 4th of July 

weekend and you're 

basking in the sun on 

your patio. In one 

hand, you're holding 

a cold drink, in the 

other a spatula. A 

couple of juicy steaks 

and some burgers (no 

goose, please) are 

sizzling on the grill, and you're savoring the 

smell of the flavorful smoke as it drifts past 

your nose. The last thing on your mind is 

safety, right? 

But here's the good news. With just a 

few simple precautionary steps, you'll be 

well on your way to ensuring a safe cookout, every time. After all, food, family and 

friends are the real fun at a barbeque and 

it’s important to have the peace of mind to 

know that nothing will go wrong. 

First, you always want to make sure 

the grill is in a safe place, where kids and 

pets won't touch or bump into it. Remember the grill will still be hot after you finish 

cooking, and anyone who comes in contact with the grill could be burned. 

If you use a barbeque lighter, make 

sure you don't leave it lying around where 

the kids can access it. It won't take long for 

them to figure out how to use it. 

When you're finished barbecuing, always make sure to not only shut off the 

grill, but shut off the propane tank as well 

and be sure to store the propane tank outside, in a well-ventilated area. 

To avoid accidents while transporting 

gas grills and containers, you should transport the container in a secure, upright position. Never keep a filled container in a hot 

car. Heat will cause the gas pressure to 

increase, which may open the relief valve 

and allow gas to escape. 

Never use gasoline, or anything 

not specified for use with charcoal, to 

start the fire. Instead, use charcoal lighting 

fluid. Let the lighter fluid soak into the coals 

for a minute or so before lighting it. That 

gives the explosive vapors a chance to dissipate. I’ve seen many an explosion when 

flying overhead. I’ve also seen many injuries from these explosions. Stand back from 

the coals when you light them, and make 

sure you don’t spill any fluid on yourself, or 

on any area surrounding the grill. If the 

coals start to die out, don't spray lighter 

fluid on the hot coals. You could end up 

with an unwanted fireworks display. Always make sure that you keep your little 

ones safe from the fire. 

Be aware of food safety, avoid cross 

contamination of meat and poultry products with other foods. Cook foods to a safe 

minimal internal temperature to destroy 

harmful bacteria. 

Lastly, be sure to have a great holiday 

and enjoy the long weekend with your 

family and friends. 

(No geese were harmed in the research 

for this story – I can’t say the same about a 

cow or two.) 

Letter 

from 

Gracie 

Look Who’s Talking... What relaxes you and why?

PAGE 7 

“Get up in the 

morning, run and 

lift weights. If I 

didn’t do that I’d 

go crazy. That and 

spend some time 

with the family, 

play some ball or 

scrabble.” 

Terry Parthemore 

USAF Capt. 

GSN 

“Watching basketball. I love basketball and I can 

study during the 

commercials.” 

“Watching old 

black and white 

films on Turner 

Classic Movies. They 

always show the 

best films.“ 

Toni Jones 

Civilian 

LRC 

Photo illustration by MCSA Raul Zamora 

 I have been working at USU as a postdoctoral fellow for nearly five months. I met you 

soon after I started here and have been 

meaning to write ever since. 

 It is probably fairly unusual to do this, but 

I would like to let you know that, in my experience, this place stands head and shoulders above any other 

place I have been (Oxford, University of Birmingham, Creighton 

University, and George Mason). The personnel (Civilian Human 

Resoures, cafeteria, secretaries and administrators, technicians) are 

friendly and helpful; the atmosphere is pleasant and relaxed. People smile at you! 

 The lab where I work is also the best I have encountered. The 

research in the lab is of the highest caliber and my supervisor 

(Brian Schaefer) is ideal. I have learned so much and am allowed 

(and even encouraged) to work to my greatest capacity. I have 

noticed that Dr. Brian Schaefer is in tune with the people in his lab 

in a way that I have not seen in other places. Those who work 

best independently are allowed to do so. Those who need guidance are helped. The result is a lab where people cooperate and 

things get done. 

 When I started here I had no experience with the military, but I 

certainly did not expect this. This place is a credit to the country 

and you can be very proud to be in charge. 

 Best wishes, Caroline Crocker, Ph.D.

Letter 

to the 

editor 

The following is a letter sent to the 

USU president. 

Riley Williams 

USN Lt. 

GSN 

Sincerely, Gracie the Gray Goose 
PAGE 8 

USU Calendar of Events 

2 3 

Next issue of the 

USU Newsletter will 

be published 

Aug. 7 

4 5 

A/O Department 

Representative Meeting. Time: 11 a.m. 

Place: Lecture Room B. 

USU Toastmasters 

Meeting. 

Time: noon -1p.m. 

Place: USU Campus, 

Room A2052. 

6 

DOCTORAL DISSERTATION DEFENSE SEMINAR 

“Bridging Innate and 

Adaptive Immunity” at 

10 a.m. in Lecture 

Room C 

7 

DOCTORAL DISSERTATION DEFENSE SEMINAR 

“Molecular Basis of 

Circadian Photoreception” at 10 a.m. in 

Lecture Room C 

8 

Kerkesner/Bushmaster 

Field Exercises, Fort 

Indiantown Gap, PA 

begins 

9 10 

Biodos EPR-2006: 2nd 

International Conference on Biodosimetry 

and 7th International 

Symposium on EPR 

Dosimetry and Applications July 10 -13 

Sanford Auditorium. 

11 

School of Medicine 

New Faculty and Staff 

Seminar 

Time: noon - 1p.m. 

Bldg. A 

Lecture Room C 

12 

USU Toastmasters 

Meeting at AFRRI. 

Time: noon -1p.m. 

Place: AFRRI Small 

Conference Rm. 

13 

 

 

 

 

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16 

A/O Department 

Representative Meeting. Time: 11 a.m. 

Place: Lecture Room B. 

USU Toastmasters 

Meeting. 

Time: noon -1p.m. 

Place: USU Campus, 

Room A2052. 

17 18 19 

USU Toastmasters 

Meeting room 2052. 

Time: noon-1p.m. 

20 21 22 

23 24 

 

25 26 

USU Toastmasters 

Meeting at AFRRI 

AFRRI Small 

Conference Rm 

Time: noon —1 p.m. 

27 

 

 

 

28 29 

Happy 4th 

of July 

July