Vol. 6, Issue 9 05/16/11 - Uniformed Services University of the ...

Sharon WillisDeputy Vice President for ExternalAffairs and Managing EditorKen FragerPublic Affairs SpecialistStaff Sgt. Matthew RosineProduction EditorMC1 Chad HallfordWriterChristine Creenan-JonesContributing WriterLori FieldsLayout and DesignProductionEditorial content is edited, preparedand provided by the USU Office ofExternal Affairs unless otherwiseindicated. The Pulse staff mayinclude or exclude articles basedupon news value, impact on theuniversity and space availability.SubmissionsThe Pulse will be publishedbi-weekly on Mondays. Thedeadline for submissions is at 4 p.m.Tuesday prior to the publicationdate. Submissions can be sent tousunewsletter@usuhs.mil or bycalling 301-295-0895.Courtesy PhotoOn the coverAir Force 2nd Lieutenants Chase Rogers,Jeffrey Sorensen, Matthew Cellini, CorinneHarvey, Pansy Uberoi and Courtney Hintztook part in a unique training programcalled Top Knife during their summerlearning experience following thecompletion of the MS-1 schedule.(See story, page 2)Top Knife takes medical educationto new heightsby Christine Creenan-JonesAir Force 2nd Lt. Jeffrey Sorenson took advantage of his two-week summercourse to experience military medical training for flight surgeons.Air Force 2nd Lt. Jeffrey Sorensenwanted to be a doctor since early incollege, but his desire to care for thosein need of medical care was intensifiedby the prospect of serving our militarymen and women as a uniformed physician.Two years ago he left Utah – theonly home he’d ever known – to begina new journey thousands of miles awayat USU.Sorensen found what he was lookingfor in Bethesda. The university’smilitary-focused medical curriculumhas been both challenging and exciting.“The workload is difficult, and it canbe a little overwhelming at times, butthere are some really incredible aspectsto USU’s curriculum as well,” he said.The summer learning experienceis one of them. First-year medicalstudents without prior military experiencechoose from a variety of two-weekcourses, many of which give studentslike Sorensen the opportunity to explorea unique side of military medicine.“I went to Top Knife last summerat Luke Air Force Base in Arizona,which is an Air Force trainingprogram designed for flight surgeonswho are assigned to squadrons ofhigh performance aircraft such as theF-16. While there, my classmates andI learned how a fighter base functionsand how flight surgeons contribute toCourtesy Photofighter operations.” he said. “It was anamazing experience I’ll never forget.”Sorenson was accompanied by fellow2013 Air Force classmates, Chase Rogers,Matthew Cellini, Corinne Harvey, PansyUberoi and Courtney Hintz.The classrooms at Top Knife combinedidactic instruction with hands-on learningin topics such as cockpit and airframefamiliarity, the use of night vision goggles,and how to properly egress an aircraft onthe ground or in the air.“We learned a lot about flight physiologyand aircraft safety before steppingfoot on the jets,” Sorensen said. “ButI still wasn’t prepared for how intenseand thrilling my ride would be. Thebest roller coaster in the world doesn’tcompare to flying an F-16, I even got totake the stick for a minute and performa barrel roll and some turns.”The experience also gave Sorensena new outlook about what it means toserve and protect.“Top Knife really opened my eyes tothe operational side of the military,” hesaid. “I observed the intricacies of AirForce operations, and was impressedwith the character of those I met. Itincreased my desire to do well in school,as I gained respect for those on theoperational side of the military and thejob they do. I want to be well prepared toserve them once I graduate.”2 the pulse May 16, 2011