Volume 6, Issue 6 n April 4, 2011

www.usuhs.mil

The Official USU Newsletter

USU

off-campus

Page 4
On the cover

When they leave the USU campus at the 

end of the day, Sarah Wolff and Blaine 

Heinonen take on significantly different 

roles, hitting the regional music stage as 

Blaine & Sarah. (see story page 4) 

Cover Photo by Ken Frager

Sharon Willis

Deputy 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.

2 the pulse April 4, 2011

Brigade Master Chief sets his 

sights on success

by MC1 Chad Hallford

Master Chief Hospital Corpsman 

Patrick Hyde, USU’s new command 

senior enlisted leader, is ready to 

make his mark on the Brigade and its 

operations.

“I’ve served in many elements of the 

fleet and traveled throughout the world 

in my 23-plus-year Naval career, and I’ve 

enjoyed it all,” said Master Chief Hyde. 

“But as you join any command, it is 

important to understand each command’s 

unique qualities and that it is the diversity 

of co-workers that enables the command 

team to accomplish its mission.”

Master Chief Hyde’s qualifications, 

coming from the Surface, Aviation 

and Fleet Marine Force communities, 

embed versatility and provide a wealth 

of varied experiences from which to 

draw leadership and mentoring skills. 

“The greatest impact in shaping 

my career came from mentors — the 

individuals who, throughout my 

career, took the time to share their 

knowledge and provide guidance along 

my journey to becoming the leader I 

am today,” said Master Chief Hyde.

Master Chief Hyde, a native of 

Kingston, Jamaica, has taken the reins 

at USU following the recent transfer of 

Master Chief Clinton Garrett to Navy 

Medicine Manpower Planning Training and Education Command. 

“The other factor (impacting my 

personal growth into a leader) has 

been my selection to some of the 

difficult duty stations and not shying 

away from the arduous taskings,” said 

Master Chief Hyde. “From working 

at commands like the Fleet Surgical 

Teams, to working with the Marines, 

I have been able to develop a belief 

within myself that any goal or opportunity is achievable if I set all my 

efforts into accomplishing a task.”

Before Master Chief Hyde arrived 

at USU he had been touched and 

healed by the work of USU education, literally. A recipient of the Bronze 

Star Medal, the Purple Heart Medal 

and the Meritorious Service Medal, 

Master Chief Hyde was injured during 

a combat tour when an IED exploded 

and severely injured his arm. 

“One person who truly impacted my 

career is Cmdr. (Dr.) Patricia McKay,” 

he said. “I had arrived from Germany 

to National Naval Medical Center 

awaiting surgery to repair damage to 

my left arm following an explosive 

blast. Dr. McKay, my surgeon, made no 

promises, but reassured me they were 

going to do everything possible. And 

then she told me the truth without 

sugar coating it – that the next few 

months would be difficult, but that I 

would be key to my own recovery.”

Master Chief Hyde’s career in the 

Navy was certainly extended by the 

education of USU and he intends to 

return the favor. And long before 

he departs USU, Master Chief Hyde 

offers the following advice: “As you 

join any command, ensure your efforts 

are felt command-wide. Understand 

the differences in your co-workers 

and how that diversity enables the 

command team to accomplish its 

mission. Show those watching you that 

your achievements are in-tune with 

the organizations commitment to its 

people. Be a lifelong learner. Make sure 

you leave a lasting impact that makes 

them miss you as you leave.”

Photo by Ken Frager

Master Chief Hospital Corpsman (SW/

AW/FMF) Patrick Hyde, left, discusses 

Brigade activities with members of the 

administrative support staff.
UFHC patients get quality 

of care upgrade

by Staff Sgt. Matthew Rosine

The Official USU Newsletter 3

The University Family Health 

Center (UFHC) has completed the 

transition of all enrolled beneficiary 

information into a new electronic 

communication system. 

This transition, which is in line 

with the continuing effort to improve 

the quality of care the center, 

provides the UFHC customers with 

a completely secured electronic 

communication capability to speak 

to their health care providers without 

having to leave their homes.

“The UFHC is aligning itself 

with the MHS’ goals for a PatientCentered Medical Home,” said Navy 

Capt. (Dr.) Jeff Quinlan, the director 

of the UFHC. “The key is improved 

and secure access and communication between a customer and their 

provider. The best part for the patient 

is that the system virtually increases 

the number of hours providers are 

available to them.”

The first option for customers is 

a secure email using RelayHealth. 

Customers have used this option in 

the past and the UFHC is continuing to enroll individuals and families 

into this system. RelayHealth allows 

patients to email their provider using 

a secure server, and providers can 

return emails in a timely manner, 

based on their availability. 

The next option for patients is 

ChatBlazer. The ChatBlazer system is a 

secure instant messaging system. The 

UFHC providers have posted hours on 

the Web site that show when they are 

available throughout the week. These 

hours are often outside the typical 

clinic hours. Since this system allows 

for real-time “visits” with a provider, 

a patient can receive almost instant 

answers to questions and concerns. 

The provider can electronically “triage” 

a patient to determine if they need to 

be scheduled for a clinic visit. 

Patients can also receive lab and 

radiology results without actually 

coming to the clinic, discuss acute 

problems with their provider and even 

obtain medication refills. 

“In come cases, these new 

electronic systems will replace a traditional visit,” Quinlan said. “Now some 

patients can get the quick answer they 

need without having to schedule an 

appointment, fight traffic and find a 

parking spot.” 

The UFHC reminds patients that 

these two systems are not mutually 

exclusive. Patients are encouraged 

to enroll in both programs and use 

them instead of USU email or other 

non-secure, non-HIPAA compliant 

email systems. 

Patients who would like to enroll in 

these options, can contact the UFHC 

clinic front desk at (301) 295-3630.

“This is really a great option for our 

patients and for our staff,” Dr. Quinlan 

said. “Not only is it convenient, but it is 

fast, easy to use and secure.” 

Photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew Rosine

Jakyung Berry discusses the UFHC’s 

secured electronic communication 

capability with Fatima Bashir during a 

recent well-baby check-up. The UFHC’s 

electronic capability allows patients to 

speak to their health care providers from 

the comfort of their own homes.

“Old friend” becomes 

new GSN director

by Christine Creenan-Jones

Photo by Thomas Balfour

Penny Pierce, PhD, may be new to 

USU, but she was part of the university 

mold long before she arrived on campus 

three months ago. 

After all, the seasoned military officer 

has served in foreign lands, broken 

barriers, and taught in American 

universities for the past three decades. 

Coming to Bethesda and mentoring 

others who have done the same, was a 

homecoming for USU’s new director of 

the Nurse PhD Program.

“I’m thrilled to be a part of this great 

community, because I’m surrounded by 

so many brilliant minds with a passion 

to serve,” she said. “Military nurses 

share a special kinship, and this feeling 

pulsates through USU’s halls.”

Part of the connection Pierce feels 

toward her students, comes from 

knowing the difficult courses each will 

follow as the future leaders of military 

medicine. The retired colonel from the 

Air Force Reserves helped carve their 

paths when she became the first nurse 

corps officer to command an Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron in 1986.

“I have a deep and abiding passion to 

inspire the very best from people,” said 

Penny Pierce, USU’s new director of the 

PhD in Nursing Science Program.

Continued to page 4
4 the pulse April 4, 2011

Courtesy Photo

Rock stars in the making 

by Ken Frager

Sitting at their respective desks, you 

would never suspect that the quiet 

junior programmer who answers 

questions about the DTS system for 

the Resource Management office and 

the administrative support staffer for 

the Institutional Animal Use and Care 

committee were shooting for stardom 

when they leave the office for the day. 

But just type their names “Blaine and 

Sarah” into a Google Search box and be 

ready to be entertained. 

Sarah Wolff and Blaine Heinonen, 

whose music has been described as 

“soulful Americana” have been turning 

heads in the music world for more 

than two years together, but it would 

seem that their future is even brighter 

than their already bright past.

“We are very good partners and 

really complement one another,” said 

Sarah, who started her singing only a 

few years ago but quickly realized her 

potential and her limitations. “I started 

off singing rock music with various 

bands, singing cover songs and playing 

area open-mikes. But I felt like I needed 

to add some variety and to be recognized for my own style and voice.” That’s 

when Blaine entered the picture.

Blaine got his start in “metal” music 

and even took a chance at fame, trying 

out for American Idol on his own 

in 2008. “That was a great experience, even though I didn’t make the 

cut,” said Blaine. By 2009, Sarah and 

Blaine had formed a duet, playing 

with hired musicians, and decided 

that they could try the American Idol 

route together. When the show held 

tryouts in Orlando they were in line. 

“We met others who were in the same 

boat while we were waiting and sort of 

did mock auditions,” said Blaine. The 

duo didn’t get selected to advance, but 

they did form bonds and realized that 

together they could achieve more than 

they could individually.

Today, Sarah and Blaine are 

performing a mix of music that brings 

together emphasis from the roaring 

'20s, to big band, to rockabilly and 

honky tonk. “Blaine bring lots of soul 

to his writing and singing...sort of 

gritty and manly,” said Sarah. Blaine 

describes Sarah’s contributions as 

rockabilly and twangy, more countryish. “She sounds like ‘awesome’ with 

an amazing presence in her voice that 

is very distinct,” said Blaine.

While their individual styles are 

unique, together they agree they 

make very good partners. “There is 

so much going on when we perform, 

with the accompanying instruments 

and our combined voices, it’s enjoyable.” It would seem the critics agree. 

The duo has several performances 

scheduled in the area in during the 

Spring, from Fredericksburg, Virginia 

to Frederick, Maryland, and they have 

been invited to play on the ‘We R Indie’ 

mainstage at the ‘We R Indie & Indiegrrl 

International Music Conference’ in 

Knoxville, Tenn., in August 2011. 

When they aren’t at USU, you can 

find Blaine and Sarah on Facebook, 

Youtube and MySpace.

“Life was really exciting at that 

time because it was a new role 

and the prevailing view was that 

women were not suited to leadership – especially in a flying squadron,” she said. “I was making a 

difference, taking care of troops 

and changing attitudes.” 

Pierce was also accomplishing 

a life-long goal on those missions, 

hundreds of feet in the air. The 

hard-charging flight nurse helped 

people like her father – a World 

War II veteran, who was wounded 

on Bataan and later captured by 

Japanese troops.

“My father did not receive 

proper medical attention and was 

basically left for dead,” Pierce said. 

“He ultimately survived the POW 

camps but went through life-long 

trauma. His ordeal definitely 

inspired me to choose nursing, 

because I wanted to make sure 

other servicemembers received the 

care they deserve.” 

She is still motivated by this 

goal and continues to pioneer 

breakthroughs today. Pierce is 

the principal investigator for 

several ongoing studies focusing on military women’s health, 

post-deployment physical and 

emotional health and retention.

“I love my work, because 

servicemembers are such a 

dedicated group of people,” she 

said. “They volunteer for some of 

the world’s most dangerous jobs 

and manage to stay committed 

despite the hardships and sacrifice. 

Understanding their experiences 

underlies my research as well as my 

desire to educate future scientists 

and scholars to carry this important work forward.”

Continued from page 3

New GSN director
The Official USU Newsletter 5

HPRC Health Tips

The Human Performance 

Resource Center Health Tips is a 

new column intended to provide the 

USU community with information to 

help develop and maintain a healthy 

lifestyle. Check out the HPRC website 

at: http://humanperformancere

sourcecenter.org.

Reap mental benefits from 

outdoor exercise

Working out in nature may have 

a slight mental health advantage 

when compared to exercising in 

the gym. A recent journal article 

reports that exercising in natural 

environments was associated 

with “greater feelings of revitalization, increased energy and 

positive engagement, together with 

decreases in tension, confusion, 

anger and depression.”

Heighten mind-body connection 

with meditation

Consider adding meditative 

practice to your fitness routine 

and tap into your mind-body 

connection to enhance mental 

performance. A recent study 

found that meditators (practicing Vipassana meditation) were 

more in tune with their bodies 

than were dancers-professionals 

trained to read (and control) 

their bodies. 

“Unplug” at least one hour before 

bedtime for quality sleep

A recent National Sleep 

Foundation (NSF) poll suggests 

that electronic gadgets may 

be preventing us from getting 

adequate sleep. If you’re finding 

that entertainment or workrelated communications, like 

computer use, texting and watching television, are creating 

anxiety, remove these distractions from your bedroom. The 

NSF suggests a cool, comfortable 

sleeping environment that is free 

of distractions.

He’s known as a jack-of-all-trades at 

USU, because his day is usually a whirl 

of constant activity – making travel 

arrangements for students, mentoring 

uniformed personnel, carrying out the 

commandant’s orders and juggling a 

thousand other projects. 

But, Master Sgt. Stephen Huntington 

doesn’t mind the bustle – even on his 

busiest duty days.

He’s used to it.

“My two oldest children have autism 

and I have a three-year old with tons 

of energy,” said MSgt Huntington. “A 

lot of work goes into raising a family, 

and the challenges are compounded 

when you have kids with special needs. 

Still, I wouldn’t trade my struggles for 

anything in the world, because my 

family means everything to me.”

Love fuels Huntington, but accepting his family’s imperfections did not 

always come easy.

“When I found out my oldest son, 

Christian, had autism, I was relieved in 

a way,” he said. “My wife and I knew 

our son was having problems, and we 

wanted to find ways to help him. But 

Tyler’s diagnosis, just one year later, 

felt like a slap in the face. We couldn’t 

believe this was happening to us again.”

Family, friends and a USU pediatrician helped Huntington move past 

the resentment.

“Dr. Virginia Randall understood 

that healing our family only began with 

a diagnosis,” he said. “She connected us 

with a lot of different resources that are 

designed to help us 

deal with every part 

of a complex disorder 

like autism.”

Dr. Randall, 

associate professor 

of Pediatrics in the 

F. Edward Hébert 

School of Medicine, started treating 

Huntington’s children long before he 

arrived on campus. She recommended 

interventions directly targeting the 

symptoms of autism and ones aimed at 

supporting the entire family, including 

enrollment in the Exceptional Family 

Member Program, a military-sponsored 

support service for uniformed personnel with special needs.

“Care on military bases reaches 

far beyond medicine alone, and it’s 

more comprehensive,” Huntington 

said. “Other parents we know that 

are raising children with autism don’t 

have access to the same kinds of 

quality programs without paying huge 

fees. I feel lucky to be a part of an 

organization that cares so much about 

my family’s welfare.”

Huntington is thankful for many 

other small blessings these days as 

well, including his current assignment 

at USU, because he is surrounded by 

health professionals who understand 

the unique challenges Huntington faces 

every day.

“I used to see Dr. Randall at the 

hospital all the time, and now I cross 

paths with her on campus. She is part 

of the university faculty responsible for 

teaching tomorrow’s military providers how to practice patient-focused 

medicine,” he said. “It’s an honor to be 

a part of this important mission at USU. 

My family has faced a lot of different 

challenges, but military medicine has 

guided us every step of the way.”

Fueled by challenges and love

by Christine Creenan-Jones

The Huntington family 

(l-r) Tyler, Stephen, 

Christian, and Gloria 

holding Gabby.
6 the pulse April 4, 2011

Surgery leader honored with American Venous 

Forum’s Founders Award

by Ken Frager

USU professor of Surgery Norman 

Rich, MD, FACS, DMCC, was the 

2011 recipient of the American 

Venous Forum Founder’s Award. 

The award, which was presented 

on February 26, during the American Venous Forum’s 23rd Annual 

Meeting in San Diego, recognizes 

an individual who has made important contributions to the field of 

venous and lymphatic disease and/

or whose exceptional efforts have left 

an indelible mark on the American 

Venous Forum. The award was first 

presented in 2004.

 “The American Venous Forum is 

proud to honor Dr. Rich for providing leadership in the management 

and treatment of venous disease for 

more than four decades,” said Peter 

Pappas, MD, president of the American Venous Forum.

 According to the AVF’s announcement, Dr. Rich played a critical role 

as part of a group of surgeons who 

had the vision and commitment 

to establish the American Venous 

Forum in order to improve venous 

and lymphatic health.

 “The contributions Dr. Rich has 

made throughout his career to venous 

disease, both scientifically and from 

an organizational standpoint, have 

really moved the field forward from 

its infancy,” said Mark Meissner, 

MD, University of Washington. “He 

has really shaped the questions and 

changed the management of venous 

disease during that period of time.”

In addition to being the namesake on 

both the Norman M. Rich Department 

of Surgery at USU and the Norman M. 

Rich Lecture in Vascular Trauma by the 

Peripheral Vascular Surgery Society, 

Dr. Rich is the Leonard Heaton-David 

Packard Professor and a past surgery 

department chair. Dr. Rich began his 

career as a surgeon in the Army. After 

serving the troops in Vietnam 

for a year, he created a vascular registry based on the hundreds of cases he 

saw there and began lecturing about 

his experience at medical schools and 

conferences in the U.S. and abroad. Dr. 

Rich has received numerous national 

and international awards including the J. E. Wallace Sterling Lifetime 

Alumni Achievement Award from the 

Stanford Medical Alumni Association, 

the Lifetime Achievement Award from 

the Eastern Vascular Society, and the 

DeBakey Award from the Michael E. 

DeBakey International Surgical Society. 

Photo by Thomas Balfour 

Heart heroes honored

Courtesy Photo

USU’s Director of Cardiology, Dr. Mark Haigney, and USU alumna Navy Lt. Cmdr. (Dr.) Rupa Dainer (SoM ‘95), were 

honored by the American Heart Association as Heart Heroes during the 2011 Greater Washington Region Heart Ball.

Pictured, Senior Vice President of Health 

Industry for CGI, Dr. Jim Peake, Dr. Mark 

Haigney, Director of Cardiology, Professor of 

Medicine and Professor of Pharmacology at 

USU, Commander (Dr.) Erich Wedam, Cardiac 

Electrophysiologist at National Naval Medical 

Center, Lieutenant Commander (Dr.) Rupa 

Dainer (SoM '95), Pediatric Anesthesiologist 

at the National Naval Medical Center, Major 

(Dr.) Craig Dobson, Pediatric Cardiologist at 

Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Major (Dr.) 

Kevin Woods, Director of the Anticoagulation 

Clinic at National Naval Medical Center, 

Cheryl Campbell, Senior Vice President, CGI 

and American Heart Association Board 

Member, and Jeremy Beauchamp, Executive 

Vice President, American Heart Association 

Mid-Atlantic Affiliate.
Briefs

Using Computer Resources 

Security incidents continue to be 

a drain to limited USU Information 

Assurance manpower. The following 

highlight current DoD policy and 

best practices:

Personnel must not install 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 NOC; download 

pornographic material and store or 

display offensive material, such as 

racist literature, sexually harassing or 

obscene language or material; store or 

process classified information on any 

USU system.

Personnel must not permit unauthorized individuals access to a 

government-owned or governmentoperated system or program; access 

online gambling, games and social 

engineering sites, dates or times.

Helpdesk Closure 

The NOC 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 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 USU 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 USU president. 

Once processing is completed, a 

copy of the approved form will be 

returned to the employee for the employee’s records. 

The Official USU Newsletter 7

 The USU Merit Review 

Committee is accepting applications for the fiscal year 2012 USU 

Intramural Research Funding.

Applications may be submitted for Pilot, Standard and 

Exploratory grant funding. New 

or revised applications will be 

accepted. Competing continuations are no longer funded. These 

applications are for basic, clinical 

or behavioral research.

Projects will be evaluated for 

demonstrated relevance to military 

concerns and/or are specific to the 

USU mission.

Eligibility for funding from the 

University’s intramural program is 

restricted to USU-billeted civilian 

and uniformed faculty members 

with full, associate or assistant 

professor titles.

Late applications will not be 

accepted and incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Applications must be submitted 

by June 17, 2011. 

For additional information: 

http://www.usuhs.mil/research/

intramuralfunds.html or contact 

the Office of Research at 

(301) 295-3303.

Funding Applications

Contacting University Media Services 

The Customer Service section of University Media Services (UMS), which 

includes graphics and multimedia design, has moved back to its recently 

renovated and improved location on the ground floor, Room G070. The UMS 

staff is available Monday-Friday, from 0730-1600, to assist you with all of your 

photo, video and graphic design needs, including medical illustrations.

 

The following is an updated phone listing for the UMS customer service area:

Front Desk. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301-295-3337

Medical Photography. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tom Balfour 301-295-0240

Audio and Video Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Willie Allen 301-295-9395

Graphics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Weekly Rotating Artist 301-295-9400

Graphics Supervisor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301-295-0257

Multimedia Design Supervisor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301-295-3339