Two Doisy College of Health Sciences Faculty Members Named Fellows of the NAP

Saint Louis University Communication Sciences and Disorders Department Chair Travis Threats, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, FNAP, and Program in Physical Therapy Associate Professor Kim Levenhagen, PT, DPT, WCC, FNAP, were inducted as Fellows of the National Academics of Practice (NAP) at the 2019 NAP Annual Meeting and Forum in Pentagon City, VA in early March.

Founded in 1981, NAP is an interprofessional, nonprofit organization, with membership representing 14 health care professions willing to serve as distinguished advisors to health care policy makers in Congress and elsewhere. The 14 academies of practice within the NAP include: Audiology, Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Optometry, Osteopathic Medicine, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Podiatric Medicine, Psychology, Social Work, Speech‐Language Pathology and Veterinary Medicine.

To become a Distinguished Fellow of the NAP, individuals must be nominated by a colleague, have their application reviewed by the academy of their profession and then receive a majority vote of the members of the NAP Council. Nominees must be citizens of the United States who have an exemplary career of ten years or more and are committed to interprofessional practice and accessible, affordable health care for all.

Dr. Threats was excited to be honored by the NAP and to have a chance to further the mission of the association as a Fellow.

“I felt blessed and proud to be selected as a Fellow of the NAP. To be chosen by an intensive process to be given an opportunity to contribute to this organization’s great cause,” Dr. Threats said. “I have worked on interprofessional collaboration for my entire career. Only by working together can we improve the functional real lives of the persons we serve.”

Dr. Travis Threat (top row, third from right) being honored as a Fellow of the National Academies of Practice.

Dr. Levenhagen was also thrilled to be named a Fellow by an organization whose goals and values closely reflected her own.

“The mission of the NAP mirrors my philosophy of patient and learner-centered care. The NAP breaks down silos to foster excellence in health care through interprofessional collaboration,” Dr. Levenhagen said. “To be recognized for my contributions to interprofessional practice as a healthcare practitioner is humbling. I am privileged to be recognized by peers I admire and attempt to emulate.”

Dr. Kim Levenhagen (second from right) being honored as a Fellow of the National Academies of Practice.

Saint Louis University is a Catholic, Jesuit institution that values academic excellence, life-changing research, compassionate health care, and a strong commitment to faith and service. Founded in 1818, the University fosters the intellectual and character development of nearly 13,000 students on two campuses in St. Louis and Madrid, Spain. Building on a legacy of more than 200 years, Saint Louis University continues to move forward with an unwavering commitment to a higher purpose, a greater good.