Two College of Veterinary Medicine alumni will assume roles on the National Academies of Practice (NAP) Veterinary Medicine Academy (VMA) Leadership Council. Dr. Bob Murtaugh, ‘80 DVM, MS, will serve as chair of the council, and Dr. Heather Case, ‘98 DVM, MPH, DACVPM, as vice-chair. 

A non-profit organization founded in 1981, the NAP is an interprofessional healthcare society whose distinguished members are nominated and elected by their peers. Today, the NAP consists of an alliance of 14 healthcare academies such as veterinary medicine, nursing, and pharmacy. 

Grounded in research and scholarship, the NAP works with governmental bodies to shape the healthcare system. Academies representing health disciplines work collaboratively to advocate for policies in the best interest of individuals and communities. A focus on provider well-being and health equity underpin the NAP’s aim to improve population health and the patient experience, and to reduce per capita costs of healthcare. 

Both Murtaugh and Case bring a breadth of experience to their respective NAP positions. 

In his role as chief professional relations officer at Thrive Pet Healthcare, Murtaugh works to strengthen Thrive’s relationship with veterinary schools through educational curriculum support, student growth in primary care, residency, and specialization opportunities. His professional experience dovetails with one of the NAP’s aims—strengthening interprofessional education.

Case, current chief executive officer for the International Council for Veterinary Assessment and former director of the Scientific Activities Division of the AVMA, brings valuable knowledge to her NAP leadership role. Case says her previous work with the NAP has taught her the value of collaborating across the health professions and the important voice veterinary medicine brings to the table, adding that she is particularly interested in advancing NAP’s efforts in fully understanding the key role veterinarians play in interprofessional team-based health care.

Murtaugh and Case will begin their roles at the 2023 NAP Forum on March 30 in Washington, D.C.