Vol. 5, Issue 13 09/27/10 - Uniformed Services University of the ...

The Official USU NewsletterVolume 5, Issue 13 n September 27, 2010www.usuhs.mil

USU prepares for the flu seasonby Ken FragerThe Pulse Spotlight:Fall may be just arriving but sois the start of preparation for theannual flu season. The UniversityFamily Health Center is ready and hasreceived its first round of vaccines.“The Centers for Disease Controland Prevention (CDC) is recommendingthat everyone six months of ageor older receives the vaccine this year,including women who are pregnantor breastfeeding,” said HM1 DarylMercado, coordinator for this season’svaccine initiative. “There is only oneshot or dose of nasal mist this year sincethe manufacturers included the H1N1strain in this vaccine. This should makeit easier for people to tolerate. We arefollowing the CDC recommendations,and while the vaccine is Category C forpregnancy, we recommend that womenwho are pregnant or nursing should bevaccinated.”“The best action we can take toprevent the spread of the flu virus isto provide the most effective vaccineavailable, to make sure everyone whois at-risk receives their vaccine, and toensure proper precautions if someonehas flu-like symptoms,” said NavyCapt. (Dr.) Jeffrey Quinlan, medicaldirector for the USU Clinic. “We willdo our part by providing vaccine forall active-duty USU students and staff,as well as family members, once ourfull allotment is received. Currentlythere is only a limited supply available,and therefore, we are taking thisone group at a time, beginning withthe MS1 and MS2 students. We will beupdating the University through theGroupWise email system and Relay-Health as vaccine becomes available.”Anyone who can, is encouraged to getthe vaccine through the local schoolsor programs as they become available.It is possible that some of the countiesmay receive Maryland doses prior tothe DoD receiving its entire shipment.The clinic will have both injectableand mist for distribution, butrecommendations call for most of theUSU population to receive the mist.People between the ages of six and24 months and over the age of 49,should receive the injectable vaccine.At this time, we only have Afluria®.This vaccine is not recommended forchildren six months to nine years,in accordance with CDC guidelines.The DoD is researching this issue toacquire another vaccine, Fluzone®.This means, children who fall intothis age group (above 24 months tonine years) will only be offered theFlumist® at this time. Children whoare not eligible to receive the mist(because of age or a documentedmedical issue) should consider thealternate options.Quinlan adds that anyone in a highriskgroup who doesn’t want to wait cantake advantage of their Tricare Primebenefits options and receive the vaccineat many of the local grocery stores andpharmacies that are participating. Informationis available at express-scripts.com/tricare or by calling 877-363-1303.Other insurance plans also offer vaccinearrangements so call the customerservice number or check the appropriatewebsites for information.“The flu remains a frequent causeof illness and hospitalization in theU.S., but there are things we can doto reduce risks. If you are experiencingflu-like symptoms we recommendyou follow appropriate precautions,including hand washing, proper sneezingetiquette, and minimize exposureto others,” said Dr. Quinlan. “If youfeel you require medical attention foryour flu symptoms, please call firstfor an appointment to limit exposureto other clinic patients. Active-dutyservice members should call at 0715for quarters or acute appointments anddependants are to call at 0800 hoursfor acute same-day appointments.Because a majority of flu patientssimply require rest and fluids oroccasional over-the-counter medicationsto help alleviate the symptomsassociated with the flu, the clinic staffis recommending that you stay home(avoid public venues) until you are notrunning a fever for 24-hours.Name:Harrison J. RodriguezPhoto by Staff Sgt. Matthew RosineDuty title:IT SPECIALIST (APPSW/DATAMGT)How long have you workedwith USU?I have worked with USU for 11 years,4 1/2 years for the University Registrar’sOffice and 6 1/2 years for CivilianHuman Resources.What brought you to USU?I came to USU after 11 years with theU.S. Army as a Forward Observer. As asoldier, I enjoyed the camaraderie, teamwork and, most importantly, the unit ofone. I realized that USU had all thesecharacteristics and more… and thisis what brought me to USU. “Steel onTarget,” Sir!What is your favorite part of USU?It’s the people and our leadership.No matter who you are and whatyou do, your hard work is recognizedand appreciated. I give thanks to myleadership for believing in me andgiving me the opportunity to succeed.What advice would you pass onto people new to USU?Be positive, work hard and always striveto be the best.4 The Pulse The Official USU Newsletter

Center for the Study of Traumatic StressResources Featured at PentagonContributed by Nancy Vineburgh, CSTSAt the request of Headquarters,Department of the Army, ArmyHealth Promotion, Risk ReductionTask Force, educational resources ofthe Center for the Study of TraumaticStress were part of a SeptemberSuicide Prevention Month display atthe Pentagon.The display appeared in Corridors9 and 10 of the Pentagon Sept. 7through Sept. 9.The featured resources of thedisplay included CSTS suicide factsheets and Courage to Care Courageto Talk brochures and posters.The center’s Courage to CareCourage to Talk campaign andresources address the importanceof communication around theinjuries of war. It focuses betweenthe military family and healthcareprovider, and within the family itself,especially talking with children.Recognizing excellenceThe Courage to Care Courageto Talk resources developed by thecenter’s Child and Family Programand its Office of Public Education arealso being featured on the PentagonInfoNet through the end of November.The Pentagon InfoNet, is partof the Department of Defense’sWashington Headquarters Services(WHS), Defense Facilities Directorate(DFD) and the InformationTechnology Management Directorate(ITMD) within the Pentagon.It will project the Courage toTalk brochure in high trafficareas in the Pentagon and in 44of its systems in federal buildingsincluding enclosures in the Pentagon,Hoffman 1 and 2, Taylor, Polk,Henderson and the Navy Annex.InfoNet dispatches unclassifiedtimely events and program updatesusing a combination of digitalimagery, video and animated text onlarge, flat-screen monitors.Approximately 160, 000 people viewthe InfoNet during any given week.Photo by HM1 Michael OliverTwenty-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 servicemember was recognized during a Brigade Award Ceremony, Aug. 27 for their outstanding contributions while serving the University.September 27, 2010 5