Spotlight on Excellence: UMB Faculty Join NAP’s 2026 Class
The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) community is celebrating an impressive achievement as four distinguished faculty members have been inducted into the National Academies of Practice (NAP) as part of its Class of 2026. This honor recognizes leaders who are transforming health care through interprofessional collaboration, education, and practice.
Representing multiple disciplines across UMB, the 2026 inductees are:
- Charmaine Rochester-Eyeguokan, PharmD, CDCES, BCACP, Professor, Department of Practice, Science, and Health Outcomes Research, School of Pharmacy
- Cherokee Layson-Wolf, PharmD, BCACP, FAPhA, Professor, Department of Practice, Science, and Health Outcomes Research, School of Pharmacy
- Karen Gordes, PhD, PT, DScPT, Professor and Director, Master’s and Teaching Graduate Certificate in Health Professions Education Program, School of Graduate Studies
- Yvette Conyers, DNP, RN, FNP-C, CTN-B, CFCN, CNE, CWCN-AP, FADLN, FNAP, Assistant Professor, Department of Family and Community Health, School of Nursing
Each of these faculty members has demonstrated a deep commitment to advancing interprofessional education and improving patient outcomes through collaborative care models.
Spotlight: Karen Gordes
Dr. Gordes’ work highlights the vital role of interprofessional education in preparing future health care providers to meet evolving patient and system needs.
“I feel so fortunate to have been inducted into the National Academies of Practice,” Gordes said. “I recognize the tremendous opportunity I now have, which is to take advantage of the expansive network of experts within the NAP community to build connections for collaboration on education-oriented research in interprofessional education. I also see an opportunity to learn how experts in the field are spearheading initiatives to support current and future health care needs through interprofessional education which I can then bring to our educational community to serve as a guiding reference.”
Spotlight: Yvette Conyers
Dr. Conyers was recognized for her outstanding leadership, commitment to health equity, and dedication to advancing collaborative, community-centered care.
“Receiving this distinction is deeply meaningful to me because it honors the hands-on, community-rooted work that has shaped my career,” Conyers said. “From partnering with local organizations to working alongside interprofessional teams on the ground, my passion has always been meeting communities where they are and building trust‑driven solutions that improve health and equity. This fellowship affirms the power of collaborative, grassroots nursing leadership to create lasting impact.”
These four inductees exemplify UMB’s commitment to excellence in interprofessional education and practice. Their recognition by the National Academies of Practice underscores the critical importance of collaboration across disciplines to improve health care delivery and outcomes for diverse populations.