National Academies of Practice Position Statement: Importance of Evidence in Interprofessional Healthcare

In support of its mission and core values—collaboration, patient-centeredness, inclusivity, and interconnectedness—the National Academies of Practice (NAP) affirms the essential role of evidence in guiding interprofessional healthcare practice, education, policy, and research.

NAP defines evidence-based practice as “the integration of professional/clinical expertise, patient/client values, and the best research evidence into the decision-making process for patient/client-centered care” based upon “professionally and/or clinically relevant research that has been conducted using sound methodology” (NAP Lexicon 3.0 Taskforce, 2024, p. 9).

Partners in Motion: PTs and PTAs Strengthening Interprofessional Teams 

Exciting Update: PTA Eligibility for Membership in the NAP Physical Therapy Academy

Spread the word! Beginning with the 2026 nomination cycle, physical therapist assistants (PTAs) who meet eligibility criteria as defined by the NAP Bylaws and the Physical Therapy Academy’s Operation Manual are invited to apply for membership. Qualified PTAs must demonstrate excellence in practice, scholarship, or public policy across a career of 5 years for professional members or 10 years or more for fellows and a strong commitment to interprofessional collaboration and accessible, affordable healthcare for all. If you work with a PTA who embodies these values, please consider nominating them for membership in the NAP Physical Therapy Academy when nominations open in January.

The Significant Role of Speech-Language Pathologists to Elevate Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice

by Lisa Milliken, MA, CCC-SLP, FNAP, CDP, RAC- CT, CADDCT
Chair Elect, Speech Pathology Academy

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are uniquely positioned to strengthen both interprofessional education (IPE) and interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP).  By bringing specialized knowledge of communication, swallowing, and cognition across the lifespan, SLPs help teams to better evaluate, communicate about, and manage complex patient needs. Their contribution is not only clinical; SLPs also model collaborative behaviors, teach communication strategies to teammates, advocate for patient’s communication needs, and help create shared goals that improve care coordination and learner readiness for team-based practice.

Collaborative Strategies to Address the Myopia Epidemic

by Heidi Wagner, OD, MPH, FAAO, FNAP
Cleveland Clinic

As defined by the American Optometric Association, Doctors of Optometry (e.g., ODs, optometrists) are primary eye care providers who examine, diagnose, treat, and manage diseases and disorders of the eye and visual system.¹  Their clinical expertise extends beyond vision correction and refractive error management; they also diagnose and treat ocular diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and dry eye syndrome.  In addition, optometrists play a critical role in the early detection of systemic health conditions—including diabetes, hypertension, autoimmune disorders, and neurological disease—by identifying ocular manifestations observable during routine eye examinations.  Early identification of these signs supports timely referral and coordination with other healthcare professionals, ultimately improving patient outcomes and contributing to public health.

How to be a Hear-O: 
Leveraging interdisciplinary partnerships to improve hearing healthcare

by Sarah A. Sydlowski, AuD, PhD, MBA, FNAP
Cleveland Clinic

If you live long enough, there is a nearly 100% chance that you will live with some degree of hearing loss. You probably already know and interact on a regular basis with someone who has hearing loss. Hearing loss is the third most common chronic health condition among older adults, currently affecting nearly 40 million people¹. Even more concerning, approximately 29 million are untreated – living with a condition they believe is just a “normal” consequence of aging. Yes, hearing loss in older adults is common. But that fact doesn’t mean that it should not be managed.

A Message from the NAP President
Anthony Breitbach

National Academies of Practice Celebrates National Interprofessional Health Care Month

Lexington, KY -- The National Academies of Practice (NAP), uniting leading practitioners, scholars, and policy advocates from 17 healthcare professions, proudly celebrates National Interprofessional Healthcare Month.

NAP's diverse membership, spanning Athletic Training, Audiology, Nursing, Nutrition and Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Optometry, Oral Health, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Physicians, Podiatric Medicine, Psychology, Public Health, Respiratory Care, Social Work, Speech-Language Pathology, and Veterinary Medicine, is dedicated to breaking down healthcare silos through collaborative practice. Our mission: to advance interprofessional education, scholarship, research, practice, and public policy, ultimately improving healthcare for all.

NATIONAL ACADEMIES OF PRACTICE WELCOMES THE PUBLIC HEALTH ACADEMY

The National Academies of Practice (NAP) held their 2025 Annual Meeting and Forum on March 13-15, 2025, and as part of this event, welcomed their newest academy – Public Health.

Passing of the Gavel:
Dr. Anthony Breitbach as the 2025-2027 NAP President

The National Academies of Practice (NAP) is pleased to announce Anthony Breitbach PhD, ATC, FASAHP, FNAP as its new President. Dr. Breitbach, a distinguished educator and leader in interprofessional education (IPE) and collaborative practice, brings a wealth of experience and a profound commitment to advancing healthcare through interprofessional collaboration.

A native of Dubuque, Iowa; Dr. Breitbach is a Professor at Saint Louis University (SLU) and Director of Interprofessional Education after previously serving in roles as Vice Dean, Athletic Training Program Director and Interim Chair of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics in SLU’s Doisy College of Health Sciences, where he has been highly engaged in IPE teaching and scholarship. Prior to his faculty role, he worked as an Athletic Trainer (AT) in clinical practice for 22 years, serving as SLU’s Head Athletic Trainer as well as coordinating AT services at multidisciplinary sports medicine clinics in Dubuque, Atlanta and Milwaukee.

NATIONAL ACADEMIES OF PRACTICE (NAP) ANNOUNCES LEADERSHIP TRANSITIONS AND 2025 AWARD WINNERS

The National Academies of Practice (NAP) is the alliance of professionals collaborating to transform health and well-being. Founded in 1981, the National Academies of Practice advances interprofessional education, scholarship, research, practice, and public policy by educating and informing our members and others, facilitating collaborative scholarship and research opportunities, recruiting, engaging, retaining, and mentoring our network of members, and advocating the value of interprofessional practice and improve healthcare and policy for all.

The Role of Athletic Trainers in Managing Asthma

by Sarah Manspeaker, PhD, LAT, ATC, FNAP • Laura Kunkel, EdD, LAT, ATC, FNAP • Kelley Henderson, EdD, LAT, ATC, FNAP • Ericka Zimmerman, EdD, LAT, ATC, FNAP • MaryBeth Horodyski, EdD, LAT, ATC, FNATA, FNAP • Chris O’Brien, PhD, LAT, ATC, FASAHP, FNAP

Asthma is one of the leading non-communicable diseases affecting children and adults. In celebration of National Athletic Training Month (March) and in advance of Asthma Awareness Month (May), it is valuable to note the role of athletic trainers in the education and management of asthma among people who are physically active. As athletic trainers, we have the opportunity to collaborate with other health care professionals to enhance participation and quality of life for those impacted by asthma. In the month of March, as we aim to spread awareness about the important work of athletic trainers, we are highlighting athletic trainers as we are “Champions in Health Care” in many areas, including that of asthma prevention and management.

NAP Membership is Growing!

Over the years, the National Academies of Practice (NAP) has expanded significantly, growing from ten academies to seventeen. Recent additions include the Academy of Respiratory Care in 2023 and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in 2024. In 2025, we will proudly welcome our 17th academy: Public Health!

Membership across all academies is also on the rise, with NAP now boasting 1,299 members. Our burgeoning organization includes 5 Senior Fellows, 26 Emeritus Fellows, 6 Honorary Fellows, 59 Retired Fellows, 46 Associate Members, 160 Professional Members, 1 Affiliate Member, and 996 Distinguished Fellows. In 2025, we look forward to welcoming over 300 new members.

Audiologic Care and the National Academies of Practice

by Brenna Carroll, AuD • Nancy Green, AuD • Carrie Meyer, AuD

What is Audiologic Care?
Audiologic care is the protection, preservation, evaluation and treatment of the hearing and balance functions of the human audio-vestibular system, provided only by audiologists, either individually or as part of a health care team, who use their professional skills to improve the quality of life for each patient. Audiologists also provide programming and patient training in the use of hearing aids, surgically implanted devices such as cochlear implants, and assistive listening devices.

Respiratory Care Week is October 20-26, a celebration recognizing respiratory therapists' vital role in healthcare. This week highlights the importance of respiratory care professionals in treating patients with breathing disorders and raising awareness about lung health. It's a time to honor the dedication and expertise of those who work tirelessly to improve respiratory health and to educate the public on the significance of respiratory care.

Many Respiratory Therapists participated in a Fly-in Advocacy effort in May, asking for support with legislative bills like:

The Role of Physical Therapists in Managing Low Back Pain: A Collaborative Approach

by Arvie Vitente, PT, DPT, PhD, MPH, GCS, FNAP • Beth Davis, PT, DPT, MBA, FNAP • Sara North PT, DPT, PhD, M.Ed., FNAP • Margaret Wicinski, PT, DPT, EdD • Kathryn Panasci, PT, DPT, CWS

Low back pain (LBP) remains one of the most prevalent and costly musculoskeletal conditions worldwide. In celebration of World Physiotherapy Day 2024, which focuses on the theme of LBP, it’s crucial to recognize the pivotal role physical therapists play in addressing this growing epidemic. As healthcare professionals, physical therapists (PTs) have an opportunity to collaborate across disciplines in order to improve the lives of individuals affected by LBP, reduce their societal burden, and impact patient outcomes.

Optometry Academy News

by Marc Taub, OD, MS, FAAO, FCOVD, FNAP

According to the American Optometric Association, more than 16 million Americans suffer undiagnosed or untreated vision impairments; a comprehensive eye exam could have detected and allowed for treatment for so many of these individuals. Doctors of Optometry (e.g., O.D.s/optometrists/optometric physicians) are the frontline of eye and vision care and serve as America’s primary eye health care providers. Not only do optometrists prescribe glasses and contacts lenses, but they examine, diagnose, treat and manage diseases and disorders of the eye. In addition to providing eye and vision care, they play a major role in an individual’s overall health and well-being by detecting systemic diseases, and diagnosing, treating and managing ocular manifestations of those diseases.¹ In many states, optometrists can perform minor surgical and laser procedures.

A Message from the NAP Vice President of Professional Development
by A. Lynn Williams, PhD, CCC-SLP, ASHA Honors, FASHA, BCS-CL, FNAP

Dear Members and Colleagues,

I hope this newsletter update finds you enjoying summer with fun ways to stay cool in this heat. I am happy to bring you the latest developments from the NAP Professional Development Committee. We are committed to fostering a dynamic community of interprofessional learning as each of our three subcommittees focus on their goals for the coming year. The goals for the Professional Development Committee for the 2024-2025 program year are focused on integrating the Strategic Interprofessional Initiative into our subcommittee work and include the following:

National Academies of Practice Celebrates April’s National Interprofessional Health Care Month

Lexington, KY -- The National Academies of Practice (NAP), representing distinguished practitioners, scholars, and public policy advocates from 16 healthcare professions, celebrates National Interprofessional Healthcare Month.

NAP consists of healthcare professionals who have excelled in their individual fields and collaborate to overcome the challenges of healthcare silos. NAP’s sixteen Academies represent Athletic Training, Audiology, Dentistry, Nursing, Nutrition and Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Optometry, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Physician, Podiatric Medicine, Psychology, Respiratory Care, Social Work, Speech-Language Pathology, and Veterinary Medicine. Their mission is to advance interprofessional education, scholarship, research, practice, and public policy while advocating for policies to improve healthcare for all.

Pharmacy Academy Newsletter

by Heather B. Congdon, PharmD, CDE, FNAP

In today’s collaborative, patient-centered health care environment, studies have demonstrated that team-based care improves patient-related clinical outcomes, especially for patients with chronic medical conditions and historically inequitable access to health care. As such, healthcare practitioners need to have the knowledge and skills to function capably in interprofessional teams. An international movement to offer interprofessional education (IPE) to health professions students has taken hold in response to this workforce need for collaborative practice. Student participation in IPE activities for health professions disciplines is paramount to preparing them for team-based care. 

Advocate to Advance Interprofessional Healthcare in 2024!!

To welcome Spring 2024, your Public Policy Committee invites all NAP members to participate in our Virtual Hill Day on Wednesday, May 15^th.  Your immediate registration is needed to have ample time to schedule virtual visits with your legislative offices. Interprofessional teams will be provided with NAP an Issue Brief/Fact Sheet, References, Resources and Talking Points. As part of the registration process, you have access to and are asked to complete the NAP advocacy education and tutorial for the online platform we use to support our Virtual Hill Day activity. Please register today to join us for this very special opportunity!!

Building on the NAP history and founding mission to advance healthcare, it is a privilege to continuously work with NAP Public Policy Committee members to establish an annual public policy agenda, to increase reference and advocacy materials and to refresh resources in support of public policy efforts on behalf of the National Academies of Practice. In addition to the above-mentioned participation in the Virtual Hill Day, you will soon be asked to complete the annual survey to determine the public policy agenda and you are invited to join the Public Policy Committee. Throughout the year, members of the Public Policy Committee work diligently to provide NAP members with the most accurate information related to designated public policy topics. Sincere appreciation goes to Leigh Ann Frick and Deb Swain who have been working to prepare the resources to be used during this year’s Hill Visit event.