Vol. 30, No. 8
April 19, 2013
USAMMDA welcomes new commander CAREY PHILLIPS
USAMMDA PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST
The U.S. Army Medical Materiel Development Activity welcomed Col. Stephen Dalal as its new commander at a change of command ceremony held at Fort Detrick, Md., April 12. “Col. Dalal is coming to us from the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, so he really isn’t a stranger,” said Brig. Gen. (P) Joseph Caravalho Jr., commanding general of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command and Fort Detrick, in his opening remarks. “And he definitely chose a great command to come into. Under Col. Coleman’s leadership, USAMMDA has accomplished significant scientific achievements.” Col. Russell Coleman relinquished his three-year command to Dalal, who is coming to USAMMDA from the WRAIR, where he served as the director of the Veterinary Services Program. “Several years ago I was sitting in the back of the room for the USAMMDA change of command ceremony between Col. Brian Lukey and Col. Jerry Pierson. Watching that change of command, I said to myself, ‘some-
day I would love to be part of that organization.’” said Dalal. “It is truly an honor for me to have been chosen to lead USAMMDA.” Not only did he reach his goal, Dalal stepped in to lead the command. “USAMMDA has a reputation of success, and I know this is due to all of the outstanding members of USAMMDA that work together in a cohesive team with a unified sense of purpose,” said Dalal. Dalal praised Coleman for his leadership and thanked him for making the transition as seamless as possible. Coleman left Dalal with a final piece of parting advice. “You’re in for a wild ride, but keep your sense of humor,” said Coleman. “Be humble, recognize that you, just like all of us, don’t know it all, and look after your people. You’ll do just fine and have a great time.” Coleman will be moving on to assume command of Chemical-Biological Medical Systems for the USAMRMC. “The past three years, two months, 22 days and four hours have been among the most rewarding of my almost 25-year military career,” said Coleman.
Col. Stephen Dalal assumes command of USAMMDA during a ceremony Apr. 12 at Fort Detrick’s Community Activities Center. Photo by Siegfried Bruner, USAG VI.
Never Again! Fort Detrick Hosts Days of Remembrance NICK MINECCI
USAG PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Approximately 100 members of the Fort Detrick community gathered in the Community Activities Center April 17 to reflect during Holocaust Remembrance Day with a program titled “Never Again! Heeding the Warning Signs.” Guest speaker for the event was Sol Goldstein, who served in World War II and discussed about his experiences in the war as a concentration camp liberator. Goldstein, a native of Baltimore, Md., in the U.S. Army in 1942 and served in the European theater. He helped liberate the Buch-
enwald concentration camp , one of the largest established by the Nazis. Most of the early inmates at Buchenwald were political prisoners, but in 1938, almost 10,000 Jews were sent there. On April 11, 1945, American forces entered Buchenwald. Soldiers from the 3rd U.S. Army division found more than 20,000 people in the camp, 4,000 of them Jews. Congress established the Days of Remembrance as the nation’s annual commemoration of the Holocaust and created the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum as a permanent living memorial to the victims. Holocaust remembrance week is April 7–14, 2013.
Brig. Gen. (P) Joseph Caravalho Jr. (left), USAMRMC and Fort Detrick commanding general, and Command Sgt. Major Kevin Stuart (right), USAMRMC Command Sgt. Major, present Sol Goldstein with a token of the Fort Detrick community’s appreciation for speaking at the Fort Detrick Holocaust Remembrance Day commemoration April 17. Photos by Siegfried Bruner, USAG VI.
What’s Inside
Social Media Find Garrison on Facebook, Twitter and Flickr! www.facebook.com/DetrickUSAG www.twitter.com/DetrickUSAG www.flickr.com/DetrickUSAG Find MRMC on Facebook, Twitter and Flickr too! www.facebook.com/USAMRMC www.twitter.com/USAMRMC www.flickr.com/people/usamrmc
Sol Goldstein, who served in World War II, discusses his experiences in the war as a concentration camp liberator during the Holocaust Remembrance Day commemoration April 17.
Sequester preparations await furlough announcement, p. 4
Past and Future of Malaria Research, p. 6
Where Are They Now? p. 7
Commentary: SLEEP, A Signal of Positive Emotion and Lifestyle Balance BY VALECIA L. DUNBAR ARMY MEDICINE
Sleep is one of the three components which make up the Performance Triad. Activity, Nutrition, and Sleep are three key areas that affect cognitive and physical performance in the Army. By improving Soldiers’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors in these three areas, it is expected that performance and resilience will improve. “Sleep is crucial for a balanced life. It can be impacted by poor diet, medical problems, negative emotions, troubled relationships, and other life stressors,” said Dr. Laura Avila, Clinical Health Psychologist at SAMMC’s Pulmonary Clinic. “It is important that we strive for a balanced sleep-wake cycle, aligned with our 24-hour circadian rhythm.” Insomnia is one of the most frequent problems I encounter among patients (and staff!). Whether it is the inability to fall asleep, stay asleep, or wake up ready to go, insomnia is very frustrating. However, insomnia is also very treatable. Sleep is a very natural, automatic process. The brain left to itself, without any interference, would likely maintain a very balanced and protective sleepwake cycle. The following tips have been found by sleep experts to be effective in managing insomnia:
Manage your dietary intake Going to bed too hungry or too full can make it difficult to fall asleep. Also, certain foods and drinks prior to bedtime can interfere with sleep. Foods high in carbohydrates and sugars cause the stomach to work overtime at night to digest. Spicy or greasy foods can cause stomach problems at night, while salty foods can create excessive thirst. Hunger, heartburn and thirst can cause you to wake up repeatedly during the night. Manage your environment Temperature, noise, smells, light, pets, children, digital clocks, uncomfortable pillows/sheets, noisy neighbors, or “snoring” partners all contribute to risk factors for insomnia. Evaluate your environment critically and make plans to change things within your control. Manage your medical conditions Remain an active partner with your healthcare provider to manage your medical problems or physical symptoms. Conditions such as fibromyalgia, obstructive sleep apnea, gastroesophogeal reflux disorder, and depression, if unmanaged, can negatively impact good, quality sleep.
Some medications, prescribed or over-the-counter, can inhibit sleep by acting as stimulants in the central nervous system. Other medications, such as diuretics, if taken at bedtime can cause increased awakenings during the night for obvious reasons. It is important to maintain an ongoing dialogue with your healthcare provider to discuss any concerns you ay have related to your medications. It is not wise to stop a prescribed medication without the consent of your treating provider, as abruptly stopping a medication can actually worsen your sleep problems or cause other health-related problems. Manage your lifestyle choices Regular and moderate physical activity during the day helps regulate your sleep-wake cycle by keeping hormones and neurotransmitters in balance. A balanced mind-body system is important to good sleep. Physical activity also promotes increased energy during the day, which increases the likelihood of sufficient sleepiness during the night. Nicotine and caffeine act as stimulants, and also cause nighttime awakenings due to withdrawal effects. Alcohol has been found to negatively impact the quality of deep sleep.
Letter to the Editor: Thank you Patrick and everyone who pitched in and made Fort Detrick’s participation in Bike to Work Day a great success. This was my first Bike to Work Day, and I’m hoping there will be many more. I would also be very interested in any recreational group rides either to simply help build esprit de corps or bring us together for a cause. It was a pleasure riding with each of you today. I was very moved at the MARC station, looking up at the flag during the National Anthem. It was a good (albeit short) ride.
Sigfried Bruner Visual Information Specialist
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Fort Detrick Standard April 19, 2013
Manage your thoughts related to sleep Never “try” to fall asleep. The cognitive act of trying to sleep is mental work, and mental work increases arousal in the brain, which creates an environment that is not conducive to sleep. Replace your goal of trying to fall asleep with just relaxing (whether you fall asleep or not). Most people realize that once the pressure to fall asleep is gone, sleep problems improve. Relaxation, in and of itself, is very therapeutic to the mind and body. If you happen to fall asleep while relaxing, bonus! “The ultimate goal is to allow sleep to occur naturally and effortlessly. Good quality sleep, regular physical activity, and a healthy diet are good investments in life, with returns seen in mood, health, and relationships,” said Avila. Ask your primary care manager about information or programs on insomnia and other sleep-related healthcare.
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ment of DoD. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without Maj. Gen. James K. Gilman regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, Commanding general, U.S. Army Medical Remarital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any search and Materiel Command other nonmerit characteristic of the purchaser, user or patron. and Fort Detrick Editorial content is prepared and edited by the Fort Detrick Public Affairs Office, 810 Schreider Street, Fort Detrick, Md. Col. Allan J. Darden, Sr. 21702-5000. Editorial Offices are in Bldg. 810, Suite 004, U.S. Army Garrison commander telephone 301-619-2018; FAX: 301-619-3320, e-mail: USAGStandard@amedd.army.mil.
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Manage your stress, negative emotions Stress and negative emotions increase the level of arousal in the central nervous system making it difficult for your brain to transition naturally into a sleep state. Cognitive activities such as planning, problem solving, and stressful conversations should be completed during the day and not prior to bedtime.
Sustaining a community of excellence through restoration, environmental stewardship and workforce development
Editorial Staff Lanessa Hill Nick Minecci
Distracted Driving Kills: FITBIR Database Moves A Message from the Fort TBI Research Forward Detrick Safety Office MELISSA MILLER
USAMRMC PUBLIC AFFAIRS
CHARLES HARRIDAY
Thousands are killed each year due to distracted driving, and nearly half a million are injured. Yet, many choose not to acknowledge the dangers involved with distracted driving, while others willfully continue to text and talk when driving. While operating a vehicle, any non-driving activity that takes your attention away from driving is considered a distraction. Taking your eyes off the road for any length of time, any action that requires you to take your hand(s) off of the wheel while the vehicle is in motion, and actions that allow you to focus more on it than on the primary task of driving is considered a distraction. All of these distractions increase the risk of one having an accident. Did you know that, during daylight hours, 800,000 vehicles are being driven while someone is using a hand-held device? Talking on a cell phone reduces the amount of brain activity devoted to driving by 37 percent? Sending or reading a text forces you to remove your focus from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds - this means that if you were driving at a speed of 55 miles per hour, you would have driven the entire length of a football field blindfolded. Research has shown that conversations while driving will cause the driver to miss the important visual and audio cues that would ordinary help to avoid a crash - and that’s with using a hands-free device. Who is found driving distracted? Our youngest and most inexperienced drivers are the most at risk, as 16 percent of all distracted driving crashes involve drivers under the age of 20 according to the Maryland State Highway Administration, but they are not the only ones at risk. In today’s society, many people lead very busy and stressful lives; the use cell phones is a means of staying connected with family, friends and business associates. This use of cell phones may appear to be a harmless and normal action; however, it has become the
root cause for the most tragic and fatal crashes. Current Maryland laws associated with distracted driving include: * Handheld ban for all drivers (Secondary law) * Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for beginner drivers (Secondary law). * Ban on texting for all drivers (Primary law) A Secondary law allows an officer to issue a ticket only if a driver has been pulled over for another violation. For a Primary law, an officer can ticket the driver for the offense without any other traffic violation taking place. Here are some tips for managing distractions while driving: 1. Turn off your cell phone before you get in the vehicle. 2. Place your cell phone out of reach to avoid using it while driving. 3. Avoid wearing headphones (this may be illegal). 4. Do not multi-task (drivers make, on average, 20 major decisions during every mile of driving). 5. Use safety apps to avoid texting and talking while behind the wheel. 6. Stay focused - distracted driving increases a driver’s risk of crashing by 23%*. 7. Change your voicemail and/or outgoing greeting message to state that you are either unavailable (and/or) driving, and that you will call back at your earliest convenience. 8. Ask the passenger to make the call for you. 9. Prepare for your environment prior to pulling off (review, change or set your navigation/ radio/climate control). 10. Keep in mind that hands-free cell phones are not safer. Cell phone use while driving is a visual, mechanical and cognitive distraction. The best way to help fight distracted driving is to get educated. Doing the right thing and learning about the dangers of distracted driving will help to protect you, your family and fellow drivers. Take the pledge to protect yourself by driving phone free. Remember, when the ignition is on, turn your cell phone off.
Traumatic brain injury, a problem that has existed presumably as long as human beings have walked the Earth and bumped their heads, is known in the world of today as “the silent epidemic.” Each year, traumatic brain injuries contribute to a substantial number of not only permanent disabilities but also deaths, with recent data approximating a roundabout 1.7 million annual cases. TBI is a contributing factor to about one-third, or 30.5%, of all injury-related deaths in the U.S., and in fact, traumatic injury, such as that produced by household, industrial and automobile accidents, is by far the leading cause of death from ages 1 to 44. A serious public health problem in the U.S., TBI remains a surprisingly mysterious occurrence, with researchers and scientists only beginning to unravel the secrets of the human brain. Due to the highly inconsistent reported cases of TBI, involving a variety of causes, treatment and development of objective diagnostics have proven especially challenging amidst the medical community. Evidence continues to point to a link between head trauma and long-term, degenerative brain disease, with researchers becoming more desperate than ever before to understand this puzzling injury. There are still so many questions to answer, which is where the Federal Interagency Traumatic Brain Injury Research database comes in. The FITBIR database is a collaborative effort by participating National Institutes of Health institutes and centers, and the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command to develop a biomedical information system and data repository for TBI research. FITBIR, designed to speed up comparative effectiveness research on brain injury treatment and diagnosis, has already received funding at $10 million for over 4 years. If all goes according to plan, this database will serve as a central storage area for not only new data input, but also with the capabil-
ity to link current databases to one another, allowing the valid comparison of results across multiple studies. “FITBIR represents a whole new way of doing research,” said Dr. Douglas Gibson, deputy neurotrauma research coordinator for the Combat Casualty Care Research Program and one of three members of the FITBIR Informatics System Executive Committee. “Increasing sophistication in the fields of databases and informatics has produced technologies that make data sharing feasible.” “In the old days, scientists worked alone (the Mad Scientist in the basement model), but more and more, science has become a collaborative enterprise,” Gibson continued. The Defense Health Program, through agreement with the USAMRMC, is the lead Department of Defense component funding the FITBIR database. Battlefield trauma is the overall focus of USAMRMC’s Combat Casualty Care Research Program. Col. Dallas Hack, director of the CCCRP, coordinates and leads cutting edge research focused on new techniques and new products designed to save lives and reduce mortality of troops wounded in the line of duty. Considered one of the invisible wounds of war, TBI is one of the signature injuries of troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. “Only by combining efforts through initiatives such as the FITBIR database can we hope to make major progress in this field,” said Hack. Not just a problem for the military, TBI has become an increasingly recognized problem in the sports arena as well. Contact sports like football can come with a wide array of injuries, so it is not surprising that See FITBIR, continued on page 10
Army changes requirements Be Aware of Mail Deliveries for transfer of GI Bill benefits and Hotel Scam C. TODD LOPEZ ARNEWS WASHINGTON - Beginning Aug. 1, 2013, every Soldier who elects to transfer their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to a family member will incur an additional four years in the Army, without regard to their time in service. That news comes in a message to military personnel, dated April 15, 2013. The new rule largely affects senior officers and enlisted Soldiers who are retirement-eligible. As of now, these Soldiers may be able to transfer benefits to their loved ones with anywhere from zero to three years of additional service. Soldiers who are not retirement eligible, electing to transfer their GI Bill benefits to a family member means re-upping for an additional four years. Come Aug. 1, that rule will apply to all Soldiers, whether they are retirement-eligible or not. “This is a benefit. Soldiers are entitled to the benefit for their own use, but to transfer to dependents: that is used as a recruiting and retention tool,” said Lt. Col. Mark Viney, chief of the Enlisted Professional Development Branch, Army G-1.
Viney also serves as the policy proponent for the Army’s Post-9/11 GI Bill Transfer of Education Benefits Program. “We want Soldiers to be informed of the impact of this change in policy,” Viney said. “This is going to impact their decisions and their families, and whether or not they are going to have this money available to find their dependent’s education.” Veterans Affairs, or VA, also has eligibility requirements for transferability. A Soldier must have six years of active duty in order to transfer his GI Bill benefits. In some cases, if a Soldier has incurred additional time in service in order to transfer GI Bill benefits to a family member, and is afterward unable to serve that additional time in service, he or she may be required to pay back those benefits. Viney said that as the Army draws down, some Soldiers will be involuntarily separated under force-shaping initiatives. Soldiers who are separated early under such circumstances and who had previously transferred their Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits to their dependents may retain the transferred benefits, without needing to repay them to the VA.
RICHARD H. KING
USAG-ANTITERRORISM OFFICER
There were two envelopes delivered to an off-site mail facility in Washington D.C. addressed to U.S. political leaders that tested positive for the deadly poison ricin, April 16. Many times these are not singular incidents and often occur in multiples so please ensure our mail handlers remain vigilant and use proper procedures if suspicious email is encountered. Although USPS mail is delivered to the mail room on post, many of you have mail rooms or reception areas who receive FEDEX and UPS deliveries. It is suggested that you as the ATO or the facility manager, go the clinic and ask for some rubber gloves and masks that cover your mouth and nose, that can be used if you receive something that could be contaminated. It is also a good idea to have an air tight container that you can place anything that looks suspicious, until it can be determined that it is not.
Sustaining a community of excellence through restoration, environmental stewardship and workforce development
If you receive something call (301) 6197114 and report it. Also, there is a new scam that is occurring when people check into hotels people need to be aware of. This is something people need to be aware of, especially over the summer the Memorial Day weekend, or if TDY and staying off post. If the below happens to you, where it seems the front desk calls you asking for your credit card information, never provide it over the phone. Tell the person calling you, that you will personally go to the desk and clear up the situation. Anyone with some sense would not give personal info on the phone, but could still get caught by this one. Hotel/Motel Scam You arrive at your hotel and check in at the front desk. When checking in, you give the front desk your credit card (for all the charges for your room). You get to your room and settle in. Someone calls the front desk and asks (for example) Room 620 - which happens See SCAM, continued on page 10 Fort Detrick Standard April 19, 2013
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Sequesterpreparationsawaitfurloughannouncement ROBERT DOZIER
U.S. ARMY INSTALLATION MANAGEMENT
Employees will have to wait a bit longer to find out the details of their furlough, including the exact number of non-pay status days, as officials attempt to minimize the impact on mission and personnel. The extensive planning and deliberations for the release of Notice of Proposed Furlough Letters to Army civilians have been stalled between Congressional action and White House budget proposals. The reason for the delay is complex. On March 21, the Pentagon put off sending out notices to give officials time to review the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2013. This continuing resolution put $10 billion back in the budget, restored tuition assistance for military members and gave the services some flexibility in the application of the furloughs. After a detailed review, the Defense Department revised the number of non-pay status days from 22 to 14 and delayed the start of furloughs until mid- to late June. Around 750,000 civilians had been facing a 20 percent reduction in pay for the remaining weeks of
fiscal year 2013. Congressional approval of the defense appropriations bill late in March reduced the shortfall in the budget from $46 to $41 billion, taking some of the pressure off sequestration. Overseas operations, however, are still the highest priority. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel directed Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton Carter and Army GEN Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to conduct an intensive, department-wide review of how to protect the nation with fewer resources. How budget cuts will affect readiness and the department’s overall mission is of the utmost concern, according to secretary Hagel. “We will have to trade at some level and to some degree our future readiness for current operations,” he said. On April 2, Hagel announced he will voluntarily commit to a partial forfeiture of his pay during the furlough period, even though he is exempt as a political appointee. This gesture prompted other leaders, including the President of the United States, to make similar gestures of solidarity. The White House released its 2014 budget proposal, including a $526.6 billion defense base budget
request, April 10. This budget adds more variables to the process. Besides repealing the sequestration, President Obama’s proposal addresses taxes and entitlement spending and calls for a new round of base realignment and closure. Meanwhile, officials across the Army await the exact details and wording of the furlough communication. The Department of the Army has requested an internal review to gauge the impact of both a 7-day furlough and no furlough; however, there is no decision to reduce the number of days below 14. To accomplish a full 14-day non-pay status furlough, employees of the U.S. Army Installation Management Command are expected to receive their notification Lt. Gen. Mike Ferriter, commanding general, U.S. Army Installaletters starting on or about May tion Management Command, addresses employees at a recent 16. Approximately 27,000 IMCOM town hall. employees will be notified directly by their supervisors under specific Lt. Gen. Mike Ferriter, comOnce final furlough decision guidance from Assistant Secretary mander of IMCOM, has annotices are sent, employees may of the Army for Manpower and Re- nounced if furloughs occur, the appeal their agency’s decision to serve Affairs Thomas R. Lamont. headquarters will move to a four the Merit System Protection Board Once employees are notified, day work week. Each garrison they will be required to acknowl- commander will make scheduling within 30 days from the effective edge in writing their receipt of decisions locally in coordination date of the furlough. For more information on how notification. Then they will have with the senior commander. sequestration and furloughs afseven days to exercise their right Employees on garrisons under to reply. Employees may appeal collective bargaining agreements fect the IMCOM workforce, go to orally, in writing or both to the should consult directly with their http://www.imcom.army.mil/Orunion officials for any updates. designated reply official. ganization/G1Personnel.aspx.
Singing Soldiers Entertain Frederick Community
PHOTOS BY GARTH PHOEBUS
The Soldiers’ Chorus of The United States Army Field Band performed at the Calvary United Methodist Church, April 5, for the Frederick community. The Soldiers’ Chorus is the vocal complement of The United States Army Field Band. The mixed choral ensemble travels throughout the nation and abroad, performing both as a separate component and in joint concerts with the Concert Band of the “Musical Ambassadors of the Army.” The chorus has entertained audiences of all ages in all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, India, the Far East, and throughout Europe, earning itself an international reputation for presenting musical excellence and inspiring patriotism.
The Soldiers’ Chorus of The United States Army Field Band performed at the Calvary United Methodist Church, April 5, for the Frederick community.
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Fort Detrick Standard April 19, 2013
Reverend Ken Dunnington, Senior Pastor, Calvary United Methodist Church (middle) talks with Major Dwayne Milburn, deputy commander, Soldiers’ Chorus of The United States Army Field Band, following the Chorus’ April 5 performance at Calvary United Methodist Church.
Brig. Gen. (P) Joseph Caravalho Jr., USAMRMC and Fort Detrick commanding general, speaks to the Fort Detrick chapter of the Silver Caduceus Society during its quarterly luncheon April 18. Photo by Jeffrey Soares, USAMRMC public affairs
USAMRMC Commanding General Addresses Silver Caduceus Society BY USAMRMC PUBLIC AFFAIRS The Fort Detrick, Md., chapter of the Silver Caduceus Society gathered for a quarterly luncheon featuring keynote speaker Brig. Gen. (P) Joseph Caravalho Jr., U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command and Fort Detrick commanding general, April 18. In his speech, Caravalho offered insight regarding the importance of strong leadership skills throughout the military, with special focus on the U.S. Army Medical Corps. “The essence of the officer is to command, but for all of us, we are leaders - we are all leaders,” said Caravalho. “The elements that make a great leader, I believe, are trustworthiness, competence, and the ability to be both humble and
Sustaining a community of excellence through restoration, environmental stewardship and workforce development
compassionate. And as a leader, you must learn to inspire rather than direct. This is a very important aspect of being a great leader.” Established in September 1967 as a forum for Medical Service Corps officers to conduct professional and personal development, the Silver Caduceus Society remains an important part of the evolving history of the MSC for providing education regarding advancements in technical, administrative and scientific arenas. Along with career development, a primary objective of the SCS is to encourage social interaction between MSC officers and to provide mentoring opportunities for junior officers. The Society hopes to maintain an SCS chapter at each military installation where MSC officers serve.
WRAIR/NMRC Earth Day Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22. Each year, the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy celebrate Earth Day at approximately 200 major commands, installations and organizations in the continental United States and around the world. WRAIR/NMRC will be celebrating Earth Day 2013, April 22, from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m., in the Bldg. 503 entrance hallway. There will be
freebies for those that recycle items during the event. If you would like to see more about what the Army and Navy is doing for Earth Day follow the enclosed links to the US Army Environmental Center Earth Day Page http://aec.army.mil/usaec/ newsroom/earthday00. html and http://greenfleet. dodlive.mil/environment/ earth-day/ for Navy Environmental Activities.
Spring Clean-Up 2013
A little work on everyone’s part during Spring Clean Up 2013 can make a big difference at Fort Detrick and Forest Glen. “That’s what we want,” said Harry Geesaman, Assistant Plans Officer for the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization, and Security who has helped coordinate Spring Clean Up for the past two years. “In order to support our mission
of environmental stewardship and responsibility, time is set aside in the spring and fall of each year for all military and civilian personnel to support efforts to improve the appearances and cleanliness of their assigned and adjacent work areas. Spring Clean Up efforts are above the Common Level Support Agreements and we just want everybody
to get out there and participate”. Fort Detrick and Forest Glen Spring Clean Up 2013 is scheduled from April 22 to May 3. All Tenants and Mission Partners are required to participate in Spring Clean Up 2013. Building Managers for Tenants and Mission Partners can call (301) 6192603 or (301) 619-2503 for more information on Spring Clean Up 2013.
For more news from other bases around the Washington, D.C. area,
visit www.dcmilitary.com.
The Army Substance Abuse Program
The Army Substance Abuse Program wants to thank everyone whom attended National Alcohol Screening Day, April 2013! It is important for people who wonder about their own alcohol use to know that alcohol use disorders
are common and highly treatable, and screenings are an important first step to take. If you were unable to attend, this free, anonymous online self-assessment is a good place to start. Visit WWW.DrinkingIQ.ORG for more details.
Door to Door Service to BWI/DULLES/REAGAN NATIONAL ALL TRAIN STATIONS
(301)668-4000 Serving Frederick and Surrounding Communities Located Adjacent to Fort Detrick (Military Rd. & Rosemont Ave.)
Local Disabled Veteran Owned and Operated Make Your Reservations online at
www.xpressride.com 1038197 1038393
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Fort Detrick Standard April 19, 2013
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Seeing the Past and Future of Malaria Research COL. PETER J. WEINA
DEPUTY COMMANDER WALTER REED ARMY INSTITUTE OF RESEARCH
On April 25, World Malaria Day 2013 will be celebrated around the world with activities that highlight advances in the field of malaria research, but with a focus on how far we have left to go. The day will be an opportunity to reflect on past accomplishments and reinvigorate ourselves for the monumental task yet ahead of us. Malaria, it seems, has been with us forever. Chinese writing on malaria goes back to 2700 B.C., and Eber’s papyrus describes it in 1550 B.C. Malaria appears a global ancient scourge that has haunted mankind for much of our history, and yet it still impacts our lives and our society today. Despite plans in the 1950s to eradicate malaria worldwide with powerful tools like chloroquine (a powerful drug for treatment) and DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, a remarkably effective mosquito control compound), the emergence of widespread chloroquine-resistant malaria parasites, along with concern regarding the environmental effects of DDT resulted in the declaration of the eradication effort’s failure and eventual demise in 1972. Still, not to be completely defeated, ‘Roll Back Malaria’ was launched in 1998 with a goal to halve the number of malaria cases by 2010, and eliminate malaria in 8-10 countries by 2015. Fortunately, we are making progress. In Africa, where the majority of the malaria mortality burden is borne, we have seen malaria death cut by one-third in the last decade alone. Outside of Africa, of the over 50 countries affected by malaria, total numbers of cases have been reduced by 50 percent in the last decade. The progress has been so dramatic that in 2008, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation even dared to utter the dreaded “e” word - eradication, as a possible goal once again. With regard to the U.S. military, we know that as far back as
Photo by Col. Peter J. Weina
1775, George Washington had to expend his very limited monetary resources to purchase quinine for the treatment of malaria in the Revolutionary Army. In the 1860s, the Civil War saw 50 percent of Caucasian troops and a staggering 80 percent of Black troops contracting malaria annually. Our military history continued with World War II, Vietnam, and even recently in Afghanistan, where we still see approximately 100 cases annually, despite the resources we have to protect our troops. While the days of massive debilitating impact on military operations as seen in the Civil War and WWII are behind us, we only have to look back to 2003, when a military peacekeeping operation in Liberia failed due to 80 cases of malaria in 220 Marines, after only a few weeks. Obviously, we still have a long way to go. In 1893, the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research was established as the Army Medical School
by War Department General Orders No. 51, dated January 24 of that year. Virtually since the beginning of its existence, the WRAIR has been engaged in the battle against malaria. Assigned to the newly opened Army Medical School in 1893, Maj. Walter Reed was instrumental in defining the concept of mosquitoes transmitting disease. In Reed’s case, it was the disease yellow fever, but this idea allowed William C. Gorgas to abate the transmission of yellow fever and malaria in the construction of the Panama Canal. The first synthetic antimalarial,
Atabrine, was developed through the coordinated activities of the Allied medical forces, and this set the stage for WRAIR’s later involvement in antimalarial drug development. The Experimental Therapeutics branch of WRAIR remains the only sustained drug development program in the Department of Defense, and this group has the distinct honor of initiating or being involved in virtually every antimalarial drug available for fighting malaria since WWII. The Malaria Vaccine branch of WRAIR, along with colleagues at GlaxoSmithKline, Inc., developed what is
currently the world’s leading malaria vaccine. Known as RTS,S, it is the first candidate malaria vaccine able to demonstrate that protection is even possible. While its 50 percent efficacy rate is insufficient for use among troops to completely protect them from malaria, this vaccine does have the ability to protect some children from death, and therefore is being tested as a possible important adjunct to currently available control measures. The Entomology branch of WRAIR has worked quietly and diligently on personal protective measures to prevent not only malaria, but several other insect-borne diseases. Finally, WRAIR leadership in the role of education cannot be ignored. When the WRAIR began as the Army Medical School in 1893, tropical medicine subjects such as malaria were a core part of the curriculum. As the mission of the Army Medical School turned more and more away from a traditional educational role, Brig. Gen. George Russell Callendar began the Tropical Medicine Course in July 1941. This course continued at the WRAIR, providing key and up-to-date information on malaria for the next 52 years, until it was moved to the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. In 2010, it was decided that education on subjects such as malaria needed to reach a broader audience, and the course was once again offered at the WRAIR in September 2010. Today, this course provides malaria lectures and hands-on training for over 120 military personnel from all services who are at the “tip of the spear,” providing malaria prevention, diagnosis, and treatment worldwide to both military and civilian populations. Despite all of this exceptional work, which not only benefits the military but also those suffering from malaria worldwide, there is much to be done. Conservative estimates suggest that over 3.3 billion people remain at risk for the disease worldwide, over 200 million See MALARIA, continued on page 10
Annual Off-Duty Safety Awareness Presentation now available U.S. ARMY COMBAT READINESS/SAFETY CENTER FORT RUCKER, ALA.
FORT RUCKER, Ala. - With spring here and summer rapidly approaching, the U.S. Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center recently released an update to the Off-Duty Safety Awareness Presentation, a tool designed to help Soldiers recognize hazards during these high-risk seasons. Data from previous years show accidental fatalities generally rise between April and September, with a majority of those deaths occurring off duty. “During the last five fiscal years, the Army has lost an average of 133 Soldiers to off-duty accidents an-
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nually,” said USACR/Safety Center Command Sgt. Maj. Richard D. Stidley. “As an institution, we can and must change this trend.” The 2013 version of ODSAP, themed “What Have You Done to Save a Life Today?”, contains materials and statistics that highlight the role of safety in off-duty activities, address risky behaviors and emphasize the often deadly consequences of fatigue and alcohol. Developed for use at battalion level and below, the package features embedded videos from actual Soldiers telling their safety stories, as well as speaker notes to prompt briefers during their presentation. While the complete briefing kit may be used as-is, leaders can tailor the information to reflect trends specific to their formations.
“Soldiers can be part of the solution in preventing the next accident and senseless loss of life,” said Lt. Col. James Smith, director, USACR/Safety Center Ground Directorate. “This presentation provides great conversation starters for young leaders by sharing realworld stories Soldiers can relate to and talk about.” “Our goal is to help Soldiers recognize the off-duty hazards they face,” Stidley said. “We need to ensure they apply the principles of training, discipline and standards, which they embrace on duty, to their off duty activities as well.” The 2013 presentation is available at https://safety.army.mil/ ODSAP (AKO login is required).
Sustaining a community of excellence through restoration, environmental stewardship and workforce development
Where Are They Now?
Marine perseveres despite injuries PHOTOS AND STORY BY STEVEN GALVAN
ISR PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER
Most 8-year-old kids don’t know what they want to be when they grow up. That wasn’t the case with Douglas F. Cianchetta. At that age, he was taken to a naval base in Norfolk, Virginia, to witness the christening of a ship-a guided missile destroyer named after his grandfather’s cousin, Donald Cook. That was the first time the 8-year-old native of New York saw a United States Marine. From that point, Cianchetta knew that he wanted to be a “Devil Dog.” “The moment I graduated from high school, I went to boot camp,” he said. Cianchetta attended recruit training in June 2005 and then on to the Infantry Training Battalion course to become an infantryman. “I didn’t want to do anything but infantry,” Cianchetta said. Three years later, Corporal Cianchetta was a fire team leader with the Marine 24th Expeditionary Unit, 1st Battalion, 6th Marines Alpha Company, leading a group of Marines in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan. After a helicopter insert into an Afghan village to search for weapons, his team took on small arms and automatic weapons fire and came across a weapons cache where the pointman discovered a bag containing purple powder. Cianchetta took the bag and ordered his team back while he inspected it. “It was booby trapped with an IED [improvised explosive device] that lit me on fire,” he said. His arms, sides, back and legs were burned-in all, 48 percent of his body had been incinerated. Cianchetta was medically evacuated to San Antonio where he spent 9 months as a patient at the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research Burn Center at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. For almost 2 years after being discharged from the Burn Center, he spent his time rehabilitating and undergoing reconstructive surgeries as an outpatient. His goal was to recover and stay on active duty as an infantryman. That didn’t happen. During a medical board brief to determine whether Cianchetta could stay in active duty as an infantryman, Burn Center Physician’s Assistant, Charles “Kelley” Thompson, explained his options now that his right pinky had been amputated and the limitations burn scars have on a body. “I was given the option of staying in, but not as an infantryman,” said Cianchetta. “It was a very difficult decision, but I felt that I had to leave because at that point
I didn’t feel that I was in the best shape to give 100 percent to the Corps. I was still recovering, and it was going to be a long road before I returned to the infantry. I didn’t want to do anything but infantry, so I decided to leave.” During the same brief, Thompson asked Cianchetta what he wanted to do when he got out. “I want to be a policeman,” he said. “I told him that he may want to reconsider that career because it could be very difficult to achieve,” said Thompson, who spent several years in law enforcement. Persistent on setting a goal, Cianchett told Thompson that he was going to do it. Life after the Marines Cinachetta credits his determination to the training he received while on active duty and the people he has surrounded himself with. “My wife has been a big inspiration for me from the day I met her,” he said. The road to the couple’s encounter had been paved long before they met. While an outpatient, Cianchetta and other wounded warriors were invited on a hunting trip in West Texas at the ranch of Charles Lackey where he met Lackey’s sons, Craig and Brad. He and Craig hit it off and became best friends. When Cianchetta moved back to New York in 2010, the economy was in shambles and hundreds of NYPD police officers were being laid-off. The prospect of being on the NYPD was slim. So after 5 months of being home and before pursuing his goal of becoming a police officer, Cianchetta decided to go on a road trip to visit Marines from his unit. The trip took him to Virginia, Florida and Alabama and ultimately ended in San Antonio with a visit to the Lackeys’ ranch. That’s when he decided to stay in Texas. “I told him [Craig] that I did not want to go back home,” he said.
“Craig told me to stay with them until I figured out what I was going to do.” As a public works director, the elder Lackey knew about the Alamo Area Regional Law Enforcement Academy. Cianchetta applied for and was accepted to attend the academy and began training in January 2011. While waiting for the training to commence, Cianchetta went out with a group of hunters on the Lackey’s ranch. While on that hunting excursion, one of the hunters suddenly fell ill and died. It was at his funeral where he met Hannah Thompson. “I saw her sitting alone, and I started talking to her,” said Cianchetta. “I immediately felt something that I had never felt before in my life.” “It was interesting,” said Hannah. “I knew something significant had just happened.” “We like to say that it was the end of one life and the beginning of another,” said Cianchetta. Hannah said that her best friend’s father, James, was a very charismatic person and would approve of their encounter. “He would have loved it,” she said. A few days later, the couple got together to go out on their first date. “I went to her house to pick her up and meet her parents.” The first thing he heard when he got to the front door was, “Corporal Cianchetta!” It was Thompson, the Burn Center physician’s assistant who had cared for him and briefed him on his medical board. The First Date and Life After When asked what it was like seeing Thompson again, Cianchetta said, “It was breathtaking. I was nervous. I didn’t know what to say. “First of all, he’s not very friendly looking and he’s a big man. It wasn’t fun.” It’s not like they hadn’t talked before. Thompson had been at his bedside countless times talking to
him about the type of treatment or medications he needed. But this time it was different. It was no longer professional; it was on a personal level. The two headed off to a room where they talked for the next two-and-a-half hours and got caught up. “I took my shoes off and got comfortable on the couch with my mom,” said Hannah. She knew it was going to be a while before they went out on their date. “He [Thompson] was supportive of our relationship from the start,” said Cianchetta. Life was good for him, he was about to start training at the police academy, and he was in love. After a few months of dating, the peace officer trainee proposed. “At first, he [Thompson] told me no.” His persistence paid off. The couple married in April 2012 and have a two-and-a-half month old baby girl. “Life is great,” said Hannah. “I’m very happy and I couldn’t imagine anything different.” Cianchetta achieved another one of his goals when he was hired as a patrolman in October 2011 with the Windcrest Police Depart-
Sustaining a community of excellence through restoration, environmental stewardship and workforce development
ment, a suburb of San Antonio. “I am so grateful to the Windcrest Police Department for giving me this opportunity despite my injuries,” he said. “The Corps taught me from day one to never quit, to always prosper, and to always do your best regardless of your limitations,” he said. The burn scars will always remind him that he can accomplish what he sets out to do he just has to push himself a little more. And that’s the message that he wants told. “We all have the same opportunities, but not everyone takes advantage of them,” he said. “I know of Marines with amputations, but they don’t allow them to be disabilities. They go on with life and don’t let anything stop them.” Since the age of 8, Cianchetta has known what he wants and he’s not remotely close to being done. “The next set of goals that I have is to be a good husband and to give my family everything that I possibly can,” he said. “The future looks great. I’m very happy. I’m blessed to have all this, I really am.” Fort Detrick Standard April 19, 2013
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USAMRMC Continues Partnership with Hood College JEFFREY SOARES
USAMRMC PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Brig. Gen. (P) Joseph Caravalho Jr., USAMRMC and Fort Detrick commanding general, signed the Educational Partnership Agreement along with Dr. Katherine Conway-Turner (center), Hood College Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, at Alumnae Hall April 8. Dr. Ronald Volpe, Hood College President, witnessed the signing. Photo by Jeffrey Soares, USAMRMC public affairs
The U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command reaffirmed its Educational Partnership Agreement with Hood College in Frederick, Md., during a signing ceremony at Alumnae Hall on the Hood College campus April 8. The EPA is a formal agreement that allows the USAMRMC and Hood to collaborate and share capabilities without the exchange of funds. “This EPA recognizes the importance of education to the future and economic well-being of the nation, as well as the need for research institutions to encourage and enhance the study of science, technology, engineering and mathematics [also known as STEM],” said Brig. Gen. (P) Joseph Caravalho Jr., USAMRMC and Fort Detrick commanding general, who signed the agreement along with Dr. Katherine Conway-Turner, Hood College Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. Per this agreement, the USAMRMC will continue to work closely with Hood College to support the promotion of STEM careers. This means that the USAMRMC may loan or transfer equipment to Hood College, make personnel available to teach STEM courses or assist in the development of STEM courses, involve faculty and students of Hood College in defense research projects, cooperate with
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Sustaining a community of excellence through restoration, environmental stewardship and workforce development
Hood College to exchange academic credit for work on defense research projects, and provide academic and career advice to students of Hood College. Caravalho said this union is important to the Army as “the promotion of STEM careers amongst America’s youth supports the long-term defense needs of the United States by inspiring, developing and attracting the STEM talent essential to deliver innovative solutions for the Nation’s current and future challenges.” “But it is also important to the community,” he continued, “because the promotion of STEM careers in the community restores and sustains America’s lead in the modern knowledge economy in STEM subjects and fields, thereby increasing the global competitiveness of American students and workers.” This agreement provides a formal vehicle for students at Hood College to interact with scientists working on revolutionary research, a forum for participants to exchange ideas and information that will foster an increased interest in STEM education and careers, and opportunities for further collaboration on various projects that will strengthen the United States’ scientific and academic competitiveness. “The USAMRMC has the privilege of working with Hood College, as we share the mission of generating young scientists, and those interested in science,” said Caravalho.
Fort Detrick Holding Motorcycle Safety Forum USAG FORT DETRICK INSTALLATION SAFETY MANAGEMENT OFFICE
Motorcycle riders, may we have your attention please! The Installation Safety Management Office invites all current and future motorcycle riders to attend the 2013 Motorcycle Safety Forum. This important event will be held on May 1, 2013, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Fort Detrick Community Activities Center, Building 1529. Multiple vendors will showcase motorcycle displays including the latest Personal Protective Equipment. Also, there will be a safe riding demonstration by the “Ride Like A Pro” motorcycle group, followed by an inspection of motorcycles before the group ride, which will take place from 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. In fiscal year 2012, the U.S. Army and the state of Maryland lost too many civilians
and Soldiers to motorcycle accidents. The Installation Safety Management Office is committed to working with military and civilian riders to reduce these accident numbers in FY13. Together, we can address the root causes of reckless behavior and poor risk management. As motorcycle riding continues to gain popularity within the Fort Detrick community, we must foster proactive mentorship programs. These programs will provide riders with the opportunity to work together, maximize rider skills, and reduce accidents. Remember - Ride Smart, Ride Safe, Team Up, and have fun!!!! For more information, contact Charles Harriday, Safety Technician, USAG Fort Detrick Installation Safety Management Office, at (301) 619-2102.
For more news from other bases around the Washington, D.C. area,
visit www.dcmilitary.com. £äÎä x
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Fort Detrick Standard April 19, 2013
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MALARIA, continued from page 6
cases of the disease appear every year along with over 650,000 deaths (of which over 85 percent are children). While we optimistically consider eradication, new threats emerge such as monkey malaria, which has established a home in humans and has now become the 5th human malaria. Unfortunately, more strains remain out there that could threaten future generations. Despite being powerful, our current drugs are being used to treat organisms that have consistently found a way to defeat most every one of our older drugs, and these organisms will likely find a way to defeat any new medications discovered for malaria treatment. While our vaccines show promise, it will likely be years, if not decades, before we have anything that can really make a global difference. As new pesticides to control mosquitoes often suffer from the same resistance problems seen in drugs to control
RECYCLE, continued from page 3
to be your room. The phone rings in your room. You answer and the person on the other end says the following: ‘This is the front desk. When checking in, we came across a problem with your charge card information. Please re-read your credit card number and verify the last 3 digits on the reverse side of your charge card.’ Not thinking anything, you might give this person this information, since the call seems to come from the front desk. But actually, it is a scam of someone calling from outside the hotel/front desk.
the parasite, we need to continue working on the next generation. And, like most tropical parasitic diseases, malaria is a disease that is tied to poverty and social disruption. It will be a long time before we correct these problems globally. As this World Malaria Day is celebrated, we have many reasons to be proud. For hundreds of years, military medicine has made many, if not most, of the real advances in malaria prevention, control, diagnosis, and treatment, and over the last 100 years, the U.S. military has been a global leader in this fight. However, as evidenced by the world’s long association with this disease, this is a fight that must be sustained and constantly addressed. Neither magic nor miracle will suddenly remove this plague from the world. On this World Malaria Day 2013, we are reminded of the long fight ahead of us, and reinvigorated in resolve to make a difference.
They ask for a random room number. Then, ask you for credit card information and address information. They sound so professional, that you give it to them, thinking you are talking to the front desk. If you ever encounter this problem on your vacation, tell the caller that you will be down at the front desk to clear up any problems. Then, go to the front desk and ask if there was a problem. If there was none, inform the manager of the hotel that someone called to scam you of your credit card information, acting like a front desk employee.
Never Before Seen Photos and “Maps” of Albert Einstein’s Brain Go on Display at Medical Museum TIM CLARKE, JR.
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF HEALTH AND MEDICINE
Microscopically thin sections of Albert Einstein’s brain are now on display at the National Museum of Health and Medicine, Silver Spring, Md., as part of an installation titled “What Can We Learn from a Brain?” This temporary exhibit will be on display through May 31, 2013. In 1955, pathologist Dr. Thomas Harvey performed an autopsy on Professor Albert Einstein and preserved the brain for study. Several years after Harvey passed away, his estate contributed Harvey’s slides and related archival material to the NMHM. The slides and other materials are managed by the NMHM’s Otis Historical Archives. “Dr. Harvey made a life-long commitment to preserving and studying this very unique specimen, and NMHM has been entrusted with the legacy he left behind,” said Dr. Adrianne Noe, NMHM director. The new exhibit features “maps” and photographs Harvey prepared while processing the brain before, during and after the sectioning process in the months after Einstein died. These photographs and maps have never been on public display, and are made available now for the first time, showing the means by which sectioned brain slides can be associated with their location in the brain. These resources may offer insights into understanding what made Einstein’s brain so unusual, and these may also demonstrate the care taken by Harvey to protect this material for future scholarly work. “What Can We Learn from a Brain?” will also discuss the simple act of observation as part of the study of the brain. Specimens on display are real examples of disease, trauma or conditions that can affect the brain, and that can be observed by the unaided eye. Sections and whole brain material will offer visitors the chance to understand the im-
FITBIR, continued from page 3
participating organizations in this collaboration include the American College of Sports Medicine, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, and the National Football League. “While athletes are especially prone to head injury, everyone is vulnerable through falls and accidents,” said Gibson, “and the aftereffects of a blow to the head can be subtle to detect, but devastating to the individual affected and to the individual’s friends and family.” The NFL donated $30 million in support of research on serious medical conditions prominent in athletes and relevant to the general population, making it the largest philanthropic gift the NFL has given in the league’s 92-year history. In light of this generous contribution, the NFL is now recognized as the founding donor to a new Sports and Health Research Program; a collaboration with institutes and centers at the NIH. “Public awareness of the aftereffects of
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Sustaining a community of excellence through restoration, environmental stewardship and workforce development
portance of visual observation of the brain as part of diagnosing diseases such as Alzheimer’s or cancer. Additionally, “What Can We Learn from a Brain?” will include the brain of Charles Guiteau, who assassinated President James Garfield in 1881. Guiteau appeared mad or insane at the time of the shooting. After his execution, his brain was preserved and studied by pathologists at the Army Medical Museum (the progenitor of today’s NMHM). To inspire the next generation of brain researchers, the “Einstein Brain Atlas” iPad app (published last year through a collaborative research and development agreement with NMHM Chicago) has been maximized as a museum interactive via a 60-inch interactive display. Visitors can interact with hundreds of life-size, ultra-high resolution slides of the Einstein’s neuroanatomy via a virtual microscope system. “This exciting project represents the first time a cloud-based iPad application of this scale has been adapted to stand alone in a museum environment,” said Dr. Michael Doyle, chairman of NMHM Chicago. “We faced significant technical challenges to create a system which provides the same 10 terabytes of Einstein neuroanatomical images that the Einstein Brain Atlas iPad app delivers over the Internet, only in a museum exhibit running an internal virtual cloud. The virtual microscope system that looks cool running on a 10” iPad looks amazing running on a 60-inch interactive display in the museum.” Also included in the exhibit is the first ever 3D model of Einstein’s brain, created using multiple reference photos at different angles. NMHM is located at 2500 Linden Lane in Silver Spring, Md., and is open daily (including weekends and holidays) from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, please call (301) 319-3300 or visit NMHM’s website at http://www.medicalmuseum.mil.
head injury has lead to recognition that TBI is not only a major medical problem, but one that affects real people in a real way,” said Gibson. “The hope for FITBIR is that it will facilitate development of solutions to the problems of TBI prevention, diagnosis and treatment. We would like to see FITBIR promote collaboration and data sharing that will lead to effective solutions,” he said. FITBIR is a free, web-based resource for TBI researchers. For researchers just starting out, it provides a set of ready-to-use tools such as case report forms and a library of common data elements that simplify development of research proposals and protocols that meet the needs of funding agencies. For more information on FITBIR, go to fitbir.nih.govexternal link, and for information on common data elements, visit commondataelements.ninds.nih.gov.
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Fort Detrick Standard April 19, 2013
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