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.
The NAP Membership Committee is dedicated to refining best practices for member recruitment and retention while ensuring the organization fosters an inclusive and collaborative culture. We recognize the importance of continued efforts to improve clarity regarding the Professional Member and Distinguished Fellow membership categories.
Our History and Evolution
The National Academies of Practice was established in 1981 to harness the collective strengths of different healthcare professions for a greater impact on society. Originally an honorific organization, NAP bestowed fellowship status on individuals recognized for their distinguished achievements, with the aim of amplifying their voices to influence Congress.
Over the past 40 years, NAP has evolved. The title of "Professional Member" now honors individuals who have excelled in their professions, while the Distinguished Fellow designation is reserved for leaders with significant and enduring contributions to interprofessional practice, scholarship, and policy over at least a decade of their careers.
While this evolution may seem to lean toward exclusivity, it has actually expanded inclusivity. The introduction of the Professional Member category in 2017 eliminated caps on academy membership, allowing our academies to grow and thrive.
Today, NAP remains steadfast in its commitment to honoring excellence and advocacy while focusing more intentionally on interprofessional collaboration. Beyond celebrating past achievements, NAP fosters lifelong learning from, with, and among different healthcare professions to advance the health and well-being of society.
2024 Membership Committee Initiatives
In support of NAP’s mission, the Membership Committee has prioritized initiatives aimed at recruitment, mentorship, student engagement, and enhancing membership value and inclusivity.
Recruitment Processes
The Membership Committee is working to streamline and clarify the nomination and application process. After surveying academy membership committees and individuals who were nominated but did not apply, we have updated the Recruitment Toolkit, application form, and timeline. The Class of 2026 nomination period will run from January to May 2025, with the membership application deadline set for July 15, 2025.
Mentorship
A subcommittee is developing a mentorship program, curating resources for basic and advanced mentorship training. The pilot program will be rolled out at the academy level in 2025.
Student Engagement
To foster future leaders, we have drafted a proposal for a student membership category. In its pilot year, the initiative will include student co-chairs, virtual events focused on student engagement and plans for in-person activities at the 2026 NAP Forum.
Membership Value and Inclusive Culture
We conducted a “We Miss You” survey for members who did not renew their membership in the past three years and are redistributing the organizational climate survey with this year’s membership renewal link. Our goal is to ensure members at all career stages feel supported and engaged. “We envision an organization where health professionals and health professional students of all disciplines work collaboratively to achieve their full potential in service of a just, diverse, equitable, and inclusive society.”
Members actively participating in committees, town halls, education sessions, advocacy efforts, and interprofessional initiatives report finding tremendous value in their membership. To showcase this, we’ve captured video testimonials and plan to gather more at the 2025 Forum.
Don’t Forget to Renew Your Membership!
We sincerely thank you for your ongoing commitment to the National Academies of Practice. It is our members who define and sustain our mission. Together, we can transform interprofessional healthcare and advocate for a healthier society.
By now, you should have received your 2025 membership renewal invoice via email. Please take a moment to renew and update your demographic profile, including responses to our culture and climate questions. This helps us track our progress toward becoming a more inclusive organization.
Your passion and dedication are vital to advancing interprofessional collaboration and advocacy, benefiting individuals and communities alike. Thank you for being a part of this journey!
by Laurel Daniels Abbruzzese, PT, EdD, FNAP
Vice President of Membership, National Academies of Practice
2023-2025
