Eddy, Pittmann, Muse, and Plummer Inducted as Professional Members and Fellows to National Academies of Practice

Date

March 19, 2026

Topics

Interprofessional Education

Area of Expertise

MGH Institute well-represented through honors, leadership roles, and presentations at annual interprofessional gathering

The National Academies of Practice has three new Fellows, and a new member, all from the MGH Institute of Health Professions.

At the annual meeting this past weekend in Indianapolis, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences dean Laura Plummer was inducted into the Physical Therapy Academy; assistant professors Emily Eddy and Colleen Muse were inducted into the Occupational Therapy Academy; and assistant professor Rachel Pittmann was inducted into the Speech Language Pathology Academy.

“Being inducted as a Distinguished Fellow of the National Academies of Practice is both an honor and a responsibility—one that reflects not only my collaborative journey, but the interprofessional mentors, colleagues, and communities who shaped it,” said Eddy.

“I am honored to have been nominated by our colleague, Dr. Patricia Reidy, and now to be officially inducted as a Distinguished Fellow of the Speech-Language Pathology Academy of the National Academies of Practice (NAP),” noted Pittmann. “I am excited to work alongside leaders in the SLP Academy as well as my interprofessional colleagues in the other academies to continue to advance NAP’s mission to transform interprofessional healthcare.”

The National Academies of Practice is a non-profit organization founded in 1981 to advise governmental bodies on our healthcare system, with a focus on interprofessional, quality care.

"I am honored to be induced into NAP,” said Muse, who was inducted as a professional member. “Supporting interprofessional work clinically and with students is critical for the success of healthcare. Collaboration allows our unique skills to shine and being part of this organization will allow for more connectivity to other professions to share best practices with our students as they develop their clinical lens."

Eddy, Muse, Pittmann, and Plummer were among the 250 inductees from around the country representing the following areas: nursing, social work, occupational therapy, physical therapy, respiratory care, oral health, public health, nutrition and dietetics, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, psychology, physician, optometry, audiology, speech-language pathology, and athletic training.

“I was honored to be named a Distinguished Scholar Fellow of the National Academies of Practice (NAP). My sincere thanks to Caitlin Fitzgerald for her nomination and support,” acknowledged Plummer. “This weekend’s NAP conference was a wonderful opportunity to learn alongside interprofessional colleagues committed to advancing education, research, and practice. The IHP was strongly represented, and it was especially meaningful to celebrate this recognition with colleagues during Saturday night’s Induction Gala Banquet and Awards Ceremony. I look forward to continuing to advance NAP’s mission to promote accessible, affordable, and coordinated high quality interprofessional health care for all.”

Ten women stand in front of a backdrop posing for a photo — The MGH Institute of Health Professions was well-represented at last weekend’s National Academies of Practice annual meeting in Indianapolis. The Institute faculty who have been inducted include (l to r): Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy Emily Eddy, Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor Lynne Brady-Wagner, Occupational Therapy Program Chair Sarah Mckinnon, Assistant Professor of Nursing Kathy Sabo, Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy Jane Baldwin, Dean of the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Laura Plummer, Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy Kim Erler, Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy Colleen Muse, Associate Professor of Nursing Margie Sipes, and Dean for Interprofessional Education and Practice Regina Doherty

Leadership and Service

Institute faculty have long been leaders in the NAP forum. Associate Professor Sarah McKinnon has served NAP as both OT chair and a member of the NAP council.

“Serving as Chair of the Occupational Therapy Academy has been an honor,” said McKinnon. “I am proud of our 25% growth over the past two years and inspired by our continued commitment to advancing an occupational therapy lens within interprofessional education and practice”

Associate Professor Kim Erler, who was inducted as a Fellow in 2025, now serves as Chair-Elect of the Occupational Therapy Academy within the National Academies of Practice.

“This role provides an opportunity to shape how occupational therapy contributes to national conversations on interprofessional education, team-based care, and health system improvement,” noted Erler. “It was especially meaningful to celebrate the induction of colleagues from the MGH Institute of Health Professions this year, reflecting the Institute’s leadership in interprofessional education and practice.”

Presentations

Institute faculty also presented various interprofessional education and practice (IPEP) scholarly projects and initiatives. Presentations included topics related to telehealth etiquette, communication access to improve patient outcomes, trauma informed care, and stroke awareness:

Centering the Patient Experience – Outcomes of a Telehealth Etiquette Curriculum

Dr. Kathryn Sabo and Dr. Rachel Pittmann

Improving Outcomes with Communication Access: Breaking Barriers and Building Bridges

Lynne Brady Wagner (with Donna Smiley, Travis Threats, Ellayne S. Ganzfried, Vani Patterson, Thomas Tedeschi)

Strengthening Trauma-Informed Care Through Interprofessional Collaboration

Dr. Emily Eddy (with Judy Blackburn)

Collab-a-Palooza Networking Luncheon– Training Early Recognition Together: An Interprofessional, Campus-Based Model for Community Stroke Awareness

Dr. Kimberly Erler

The Journal of Interprofessional Education and Practice is the official journal of NAP, and several peer reviewed manuscripts authored by IHP faculty have been disseminated through this publication. Select IPEP topics published in the journal include the IPDEU, the IMPACT Peer Facilitators program, Child Development Day, and simulation as a platform for IPE.

Dr. Regina Doherty, Dean for Interprofessional Education and Practice and Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs, reflected on the notable impact IHP faculty have made within the interprofessional community.

“The curricular advancements and scholarly achievements in interprofessional education and practice (IPEP) at the Institute set us apart as leaders in the field,’ concluded Doherty. “It is a source of immense pride to witness our faculty being recognized as fellows and to see the national IPEP community acknowledge our commitment to excellence in interprofessional education and practice.”