University of Tennessee Health Science Center was strongly represented among the individuals inducted as Distinguished Practitioner Fellows at the National Academies of Practice (NAP) Annual Meeting in March 2024. Three faculty members from UT Health Science Center were inducted, including one from the College of Nursing and two from the College of Pharmacy.
Andrea S. Franks (right), PharmD (Class of ’92), BCPS, FNAP
Professor and Assistant Dean for Curricular Affairs
UT Health Science Center College of University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy
Chasity M. Shelton (left), PharmD (Class of ’05), FCCP, FNAP, BCPS, BCPPS
Professor and Associate Dean, Student Affairs
UT Health Science Center College of Pharmacy
Bobby B. Bellflower, DNSc, NNP-BC, FAANP, FNAPProfessor and Director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program
UT Health Science Center College of University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Nursing
To become a Distinguished Fellow, individuals need to have a minimum of ten years of exceptional service in their careers, showcasing their commitment to interprofessional practice and making healthcare accessible and affordable for everyone. The selection process involves evaluation by accomplished peers, who choose candidates based on their significant and lasting contributions to their respective professions.
NAP is a non-profit organization founded in 1981 to advise governmental bodies on our healthcare system. Distinguished practitioners and scholars are elected by their peers from multiple different health professions to join the only interprofessional group of healthcare practitioners and scholars dedicated to supporting affordable, accessible, coordinated quality healthcare for all. NAP firmly believes that close collaboration and coordination of different healthcare professions, aligned through a common vision, can advocate for patients and model excellence in interprofessional and preventive care. NAP is dedicated to lifelong learning from, with, and among different healthcare professions to promote and preserve health and well-being in society.