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 

Master 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 

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USU hosts active shooter exercise 

By Christine Creenan-Jones, editor 

On the cover 

The Board of Regents held their quarterly meeting 

at the Uniformed Services University’s Val G. 

Hemming Simulation Center, which included a 

tour of the facility. Read more about their visit to 

the SimCenter on page 7.

2 The Pulse The Pulse · The Official USU Newsletter Photo by MC2 Brittney Cannady 

Photo by Tech. Sgt. David Speicher 

 Mass shootings – like the 

tragedies at Columbine, Virginia Tech and Sandy Hook – 

have necessitated that schools, 

shopping malls, military bases 

and other organizations have a 

plan in place in case of such an 

event. As a result, the Naval 

Support Activity Bethesda is 

hosting an Active Shooter Exercise that will culminate at 

the Uniformed Services University, Feb. 27. 

 The training, which is part of 

the annual Naval Installations 

Command’s Citadel Shield Anti-Terrorism Exercise, began 

with classroom instruction at 

USU that took place Feb. 10 

through Feb. 21. In preparation for the exercise, security 

forces from NSAB taught USU 

personnel the best practices 

for responding to an active 

shooter scenario. 

 These benchmarks were assessed through an online quiz 

and will be evaluated once 

again during the active shooter 

simulation later this month. 

As noted in the preliminary 

training, USU personnel are 

expected to find cover and 

shelter-in-place once NSAB’s 

Giant Voice – the base-wide 

emergency alert system – announces the start of the exercise. The university will also 

use the event to test its Everbridge emergency notification 

system, which sends both telephonic and electronic (e-mail 

and text) emergency notifications to USU personnel. 

 Although the exact time of 

the scenario isn’t being disclosed to USU personnel, the 

shelter-in-place drill will last 

approximately 15 minutes. 

During this time, evaluators 

will survey the campus to ensure USU personnel are responding appropriately and 

safely. 

 “Nobody should take the 

training lightly because it has 

the potential to save lives. 

Furthermore, components of 

this training are exportable to 

many work and social environments, so it’s good knowledge 

to have from a safety standpoint, not just at USU but literally anywhere you go,” said 

James Schwartz, deputy of Operations, Communications and 

Strategic Planning for the Department of Military and 

Emergency Medicine at USU. 

Military installations around the world are sponsoring Active Shooter 

Exercises to prepare employees for an active shooter situation. The 

Naval Support Activity Bethesda will host its Active Shooter Exercise 

at the Uniformed Services University, Feb. 27. 
February 17, 2014 3

Kortepeter named new research dean

By Master Sgt. Oshawn Jefferson, deputy chief of Media Affairs 

 Army Col. (Dr.) Mark Kortepeter will be the new 

associate dean for research at the F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, effective, Feb. 24. The 

announcement was made Jan. 28 by Dr. Arthur 

Kellermann, dean of the medical school at the 

Uniformed Services University. 

 “Doctor Kortepeter’s proven ability at building 

bridges for the university with external partners, 

assessing internal research processes, and clearing 

roadblocks to research success will serve us well,” 

said Kellermann. 

 Kortepeter is following the trail blazed by his 

predecessor, Army Col. (Dr.) Kent Kester, who is 

retiring from the U.S. Army after more than 24 

years of service. 

 The newly-selected associate dean is board certified in infectious diseases and preventive medicine and is an associate professor of preventive 

medicine and medicine. Furthermore, Kortepeter 

led the Infectious Disease Clinical Research Program at USU for the last-three-and-a-half years. 

During that time, he solidified partnerships with 

the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious 

Diseases at the National Institutes of Health as 

well as a variety of military research commands, 

military hospital commands and external academic organizations around the world. 

 “He brings a blend of research, leadership and 

operational experience to the job,” said Kellermann. “Going forward, he will work closely with 

me to identify and develop opportunities to leverage USU’s institutional strengths and develop new 

sources of support.” 

 Prior to his work at the IDCRP, Kortepeter 

served in a number of key roles in biodefense at 

the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, including deputy chief of the Virology Division, chief of the medical division and 

deputy commander. 

He had operational 

tours as chief of preventive medicine for 

U.S. forces in the 

stabilization force in 

Bosnia in 1997, and 

prepared medical 

assets in theater for 

bioweapon attacks as 

a member of the 

Special Medical Response Team for Investigational New 

Drugs during Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

 Kortepeter also 

serves as the acting 

consultant for infectious disease and biodefense consultant 

for the Army Surgeon General, as well as a subject 

matter expert on the NATO BioMedical Advisory 

Committee. 

 “I am pleased that we were able to secure such a 

seasoned and accomplished investigator to fill this 

important role,” said Kellermann. “Doctor Kortepeter’s appointment reflects our strong and ongoing commitment to the value of research at 

USU, and my personal confidence in all of you.” 

 Kortepeter received his bachelor’s degree from 

Harvard College, his medical degree from New 

Jersey Medical School, and his master’s in public 

health from Harvard School of Public Health. 

 "I'm looking forward to doing what I can to 

build bridges with external partners, improve efficiency of internal processes, and to facilitate great 

research," said Kortepeter.

 Cardiovascular disease is the 

leading cause of death for men 

and women in the United States. 

 In an effort to combat this preventable disease, the Human 

Performance Resource Center at 

the Uniformed Services University is sharing easy-to-follow tips 

that promote healthy living during these cold winter months. 

 “It’s very easy to cozy up next 

to the fire instead of going outside for exercise,” said Stephanie 

Van Arsdale, an educational specialist at HPRC. “But cold 

weather can be invigorating and 

energizing. Just make sure you 

wear the appropriate attire and 

you’re hydrated.” 

 Although exercise is important 

year round, Van Arsdale understands that for many people, 

physical activity slows down or 

event stops during the winter 

months. 

 “Despite our best effort, sometimes it’s just harder to exercise 

during winter so watching portion sizes is even more important 

to avoid unwanted weight gain,” 

she said. “You can take advantage of the time spent indoors to make fiber rich soup 

with beans, veggies and whole 

grains which help boost serotonin levels.” 

HPRC shares ways to stay heart healthy 

By MC2 Brittney Cannady, writer 

Army Col. (Dr.) Mark Kortpeter 
4 The Pulse The Pulse · The Official USU Newsletter 

By Christine Creenan-Jones, editor 

Attention all USU faculty

The Faculty Senate is currently seeking nominations for the 2014 Faculty Senate president-elect, 

secretary/treasurer, and senators. 

Interested faculty are encouraged to contact Dr. Susanne Gibbons, chair of the Faculty Senate’s Nominations 

and Elections Committee, via e-mail at susanne.gibbons@usuhs.edu for a candidate form. 

 Dr. Sandra Bibb has manifold 

responsibilities at the Uniformed Services University. She 

conducts research, teaches several courses and mentors other 

professors as the university’s 

first associate dean for Faculty 

Affairs in the Daniel K. Inouye 

Graduate School of Nursing. 

 Furthermore, her prolific academic career at USU comes on 

the heels of an equally impressive military career through 

which she has achieved several 

pioneering successes. Among 

them, Bibb was the first nurse to 

lead two interdisciplinary clinics 

in San Diego and Gaeta, Italy 

before retiring as a U.S. Navy 

captain in 2004. 

 Despite these groundbreaking 

achievements, Bibb has remained humble. In her eyes, 

she is simply following an early 

calling. As a young girl, Bibb 

knew that nursing was a good fit 

because she wanted to help people during their times of need. 

Still, the pursuit toward a career 

in nursing was difficult. 

 Bibb comes from modest roots 

– her father supported a family 

of six on a laborer’s meager wages – and she attended segregated schools in Mobile, Ala., 

where racial disparity pervaded 

nearly every facet of southern 

life. 

 “Childhood wasn’t an easy 

time for me. My mother was ill, 

so a lot of the parental responsibilities for my younger brother 

fell on me. Still, I did well academically because both of my 

parents stressed the importance 

of school and a strong work ethic as a means for a better future,” said Bibb. 

 She heeded their advice. Bibb 

graduated from high school at 

16 years old and was awarded a 

scholarship to attend a Daughters of Charity Nursing School. 

Toward the end of the program, 

one of her classmates encouraged Bibb to attend an information session hosted by the 

U.S. Navy. 

 It didn’t take long for Bibb to 

become enthralled with the possibilities of military life. She 

was commissioned after completing her nursing program and 

embarked on a whirlwind Navy 

career that lasted 30 years. During that time, she earned bachelor, master and doctoral degrees 

from the University of San Diego, served as a staff nurse on orthopedic and intensive care 

units and helped establish the 

Navy’s first Population Health 

Department. 

 “Both my father and uncle 

served in the Navy during a time 

when African Americans could 

only hold certain job ratings, so 

my achievements were a big deal 

to them,” said Bibb. “But my 

pride lies in the fact that I was 

able to make a difference in a 

career field that I love.” 

 Her passion continues to burn 

strong at USU. She accepted a 

position as an assistant professor in the GSN during the same 

month she retired from the Navy and quickly rose through the 

university’s leadership ranks. 

 “USU is a wonderful place because there is no other university in the world with our expertise. Many of our faculty members have extensive backgrounds in both military and 

federal healthcare. This benefits 

our students in innumerable 

ways because the vast majority 

of them will assume leadership 

roles within the Military Health 

System upon graduating from 

USU,” she said. “They can learn 

from our experiences and become better officers and nurses. 

I’m honored to be a part of this 

work.” 

USU faculty member follows dreams, pursues career in nursing 

Courtesy photo 

Dr. Sandra Bibb 
February 17, 2014 5

9-1-1 misdial? Don’t hang up!

By Christine Creenan-Jones, editor 

MEIR course provides unique training 

By Christine Creenan-Jones, editor

 Experts at the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute conduct world-class research to 

mitigate the harmful effects of radiation disasters. They also share their knowledge with health 

care leaders at federal agencies by offering a 

Medical Effects of Ionizing Radiation course. 

 The MEIR course was developed in 1973 and 

has been used as a platform for translating 

AFRRI’s compelling research into practice during 

emergencies like the 2011 earthquake in Japan 

that led to a series of meltdowns at the Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear power plant. 

 Other crises over the past several decades and 

the use of radiation as a weapon by terrorists 

have validated the need for places like AFRRI and 

courses like MEIR, which is taught approximately 

24 times a year to more than 1000 students in 

physical and digital classrooms around the world. 

 “The MEIR course helps safeguard world health 

and security because it provides a foundation for 

understanding the best ways to manage a radiological or nuclear accident,” said Army Col. (Dr.) 

Neil Page, head of Military Medical Operations at 

AFRRI. 

 These types of accidents are especially worrisome because they can lead to acute and longterm health problems. In the past, radiation 

leaks have been linked to several types of cancer, 

tumors and thyroid disease. In extreme cases – 

such as the Chernobyl accident – radiological disasters can even be deadly. 

 Proper planning, however, can assuage the 

damage and the number of casualties or prevent 

radiological or nuclear accidents from occurring 

in the first place. This is the nexus behind 

AFRRI’s research and the MEIR course, with 

benchmarks that cover the fundamentals of ionizing radiation, ways to diagnose acute radiation 

syndrome and combined injuries, understanding 

the psychological effects of radiation exposure 

and methods for ensuring radioprotection. 

 “AFRRI is one of only a few agencies in the 

world with such broad expertise in radiobiology,” 

said Page. “But through the MEIR course, we 

have prepared thousands of defense leaders, 

health care providers and paraprofessionals to 

take the lead during an emergency situation, 

whether it’s a natural disaster, chemical or biological incident or a nuclear weapon attack.” 

 MEIR course alumni have always been diverse 

– with classes taught everywhere from the U.S. to 

the United Arab Emirates – but it gained further 

widespread appeal in 2011, when the White 

House mandated that our nation must be prepared for a radiological incident. 

 Since then, the White House Medical Unit has 

taken the course along with staff members at the 

State Department, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, several foreign military units and many 

others. 

 Visit www.usuhs.edu/afrri/outreach/meir/

meir.htm for more information about the MEIR 

course. 

 Phone hang-ups happen at the 

Uniformed Services University. 

People misdial and calls get 

dropped. But when they happen 

to 9-1-1 operators, it’s important 

for callers to clarify – in nonemergency situations – that no 

public safety or law enforcement 

intervention is needed. 

 “There have been several 9-1-1 

hang ups from phones that were 

routed to USU and other Naval 

Support Activity Bethesda lines 

in recent months. When this 

happens, tell the operator that 

you accidently misdialed. Also, 

if emergency dispatch calls, answer your phone. Otherwise, 

Montgomery County or NSAB 

may have to send law enforcement to our campus unnecessarily, which can tie up important 

resources that could be utilized 

in a true emergency situation,” 

said James Schwartz, deputy of 

Operations, Communications 

and Strategic Planning in the Department of Military and Emergency Medicine at USU. 

 Furthermore, although dialing 

9-1-1 in the event of a crisis will 

connect USU personnel with 

emergency dispatch, the quickest, most efficient method for 

getting help is by dialing 7-7-7, 

the direct line to NSAB’s emergency communications operators. 

 “By dialing 9-1-1 for an oncampus emergency, you’re essentially creating another step for 

emergency dispatch, because the 

9-1-1 call is initially routed to the 

Montgomery County emergency 

dispatch, who must then route 

the call to the NSAB emergency 

dispatcher to respond,” said 

Schwartz. 
6 The Pulse The Pulse · The Official USU Newsletter 

Countdown to Commencement 

Trivia Question Answer #1

 Congratulations to Bryan Nowak for being the first person 

to answer last issue’s trivia questions: These two Public 

Health Service officers represent an important piece of history at the Uniformed Services University. Who are they? 

And what is their milestone achievement? 

 His response, Victoria Anderson and Helen Golden were 

the first two officers to graduate from USU’s Graduate 

School of Nursing, is correct. 

Photo by Thomas Balfour 

Countdown to Commencement: A look at the Class of 2014 

Air Force Maj. Christopher Kelly, Graduate School of Nursing

By Christine Creenan-Jones, editor 

 Before coming to the Uniformed Services University, Air 

Force Maj. Christopher Kelly 

had already experienced many 

visages of military life, beginning with the U.S. Marine Corps 

in 1997. Kelly enlisted after he 

finished high school and quickly 

began training as a rifleman on 

an infantry unit in Mobile, Ala. 

 Kelly’s first duty assignments 

in the Marines included a lot of 

ruck marches, combat skills 

training, survival exercises and 

marksmanship activities. His 

days were long and physical – 

especially the week-long field 

exercises in the deep southern 

brush – but they were also challenging and rewarding. 

 “It was an educational two 

years, and I enjoyed my time in 

the Marine Corps, but I knew I 

wanted to do something different,” he said. 

 For Kelly, something different 

meant trying out a whole new 

service and a different career 

field. After leaving the Marines, 

he attended the University of 

South Alabama on an Air Force 

scholarship and eventually 

earned a Bachelor of Science in 

Nursing. 

 From there, it didn’t take long 

for Kelly to find his calling in 

military nursing, especially 

while treating patients with cancer at base hospitals in Mississippi and Florida. 

 “As an oncology nurse, I’ve 

had the opportunity to care for 

some truly incredible people, 

who unfortunately had to battle 

a really terrible disease. It was 

emotionally taxing work, but I 

took solace in the fact that I was 

doing everything in my power to 

help during their times of need,” 

he said. 

 Besides clinical medicine, 

Kelly has pursued other leadership roles in military nursing 

over the past 13 years. His deployment to Balad, Iraq in 2005 

was especially meaningful because he experienced a new side 

of military medicine. 

 “In Balad, I worked as a flight 

clinical coordinator at a busy 

frontline theater hospital that 

received most of the combat casualties, including patients who 

needed to be medevac’d out of 

Iraq. My job was to coordinate 

military aircraft, anticipate the 

needs of aeromedical teams, and 

ensure the correct flight surgery 

crews and critical care teams 

were available to provide medical care while en route to hospitals in Germany or the U.S.,” 

Kelly said. 

 Coordinating “all the moving 

parts” of patient evacuations in 

a warzone was humbling work, 

especially as he watched servicemembers grapple with amputations, traumatic brain injuries, 

gunshot wounds and other combat wounds. 

 Still, Kelly’s passion resided in 

patient care, and that’s why he 

came to USU. 

 Kelly enrolled in the university’s Family Nurse Practitioner 

program in 2012. Two years later, he’s completed most of the 

benchmarks and is on course to 

graduate with a Master of Science in Nursing this May. His 

time at USU – like all of his military experiences – has resonated strongly with Kelly. 

 “I’ve learned so much at USU 

that will help me throughout my 

career. This place has a unique 

approach to education that is 

ideal for military healthcare providers like me.”

Air Force Maj. Christopher Kelly 
February 17, 2014 7

Board of Regents tour USU Simulation Center

By MC2 Brittney Cannady, writer 

Photo by Thomas Balfour 

 The Board of Regents at the Uniformed Services 

University meets quarterly to discuss important 

university business. The February board meeting 

was held at the Val G. Hemming Simulation Center, so board members could not only tour the state

-of-the-art facility but learn more about the value of 

simulation education.

 The board tour began with a visit to the Wide Area Virtual Environment, or W.A.V.E., which spans 

an 8,000 square-foot area and accommodates more 

than a dozen students. 

 The W.A.V.E. simulates battlefield and natural 

disaster scenarios. It also features unique settings 

like a simulated helicopter landing during a mass 

casualty air disaster, which board members got to 

experience during their visit. 

 This kind of experiential learning has important 

advantages, according to SimCenter staff members. 

 “Other disaster response scenarios like the field 

hospital have the authentic sound of screaming patients behind you. It tests students’ abilities to treat 

patients and still be in control of their environment,” said Eric Acosta, a computer research scientist at the SimCenter who guided board members 

through the W.A.V.E.

 The W.A.V.E.’s ability to reconfigure training environments is also beneficial.

 “With the W.A.V.E., you have the ability to train 

teams of 10-15 students at a time and evaluate 

them, compared to the logistics of live training. The value is in being able to do it over and over 

without going outside, facing inclement weather or 

any other issue. This teaching platform doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world,” said Dr. Joseph Lopreiato, associate dean for Simulation Education at 

USU.

 Following their visit through the W.A.V.E., board 

members stopped by the SimCenter’s Clinical Skills 

and Surgical Simulation Labs, where USU students 

receive hands-on medical training.

 These spaces include task trainer rooms with 

mannequins programmed with different life-like 

responses, including the ability to sweat, bleed and 

breathe. The mannequins give students the opportunity to practice potentially life-saving medical 

skills and learn team interaction. Other SimCenter 

mannequins feature slightly more realistic and 

challenging simulators with side-by-side animation 

that walks students through ultrasounds, lumbar 

punctures and other medical procedures. 

 The SimCenter tour was preceded by a regular 

meeting of record, where board members received 

important university updates from key USU leaders.

The Board of Regents at the Uniformed Services University hosted their quarterly meeting at the Val G. Hemming Simulation Center, Feb. 4.