Katie Walsh Flanagan, EdD, LAT, ATC, was raised in Carmel, California. She graduated from Oregon State University with a bachelor's degree in Physical Education and from Illinois State University with a master's degree in Athletic Training before embarking on a career in athletic training. She was the head athletic trainer for women and a lecturer at Western Illinois University before leaving to become the head athletic trainer with the men's professional soccer team in Chicago, Illinois, for 3 years. During her 10 years in Illinois, she was active in both the state and District 4 athletic training organizations. In 1990, Dr. Flanagan was hired as an athletic trainer and lecturer at California State University, Fresno, and she earned a doctorate in Education at the University of Southern California. In 1995, she accepted the position she held for 27 years: Director of Sports Medicine at East Carolina University (ECU) in Greenville, North Carolina. As an athletic trainer, Dr. Flanagan has traveled internationally with both men's and women's US Soccer teams and volunteered at the Pan American and Atlanta Olympic Games. She provided medical coverage for cheerleading and other sports at ECU for 15 years and still works as an athletic trainer helping out with ECU football and other events as needed. As a dedicated member of the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA), Dr. Flanagan is a member of the NATA Board of Directors and represented District 3-the Mid-Atlantic Athletic Trainers' Association from 2015 to 2022. She has been an active volunteer for the national, district, and state levels of NATA and has also served on the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education, which oversees athletic training education, for 7 years. Dr. Flanagan is an accomplished speaker and has made dozens of international and national presentations and 50 regional/district/state presentations, as well as published dozens of articles and book chapters. Dr. Flanagan is considered an expert in athlete safety policy, especially with environmental and lightning safety. In that area, she is internationally known for her lightning safety policies that govern recreation and sport. Dr. Flanagan was named the North Carolina College/University Athletic Trainer of the Year in 2000 and 2006 by the North Carolina Athletic Trainers' Association and was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2013. NATA has recognized her with their National Service Award (2006) and Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer honor (2010). She is married to Sean Flanagan, and they reside in Greenville, North Carolina, with their two rescue cats, Abby and Tucker.
