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 currently holds: Director of Sports Medicine at East Carolina University (ECU) in Greenville, North Carolina. As an athletic trainer, Katie 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 ECU home football games as an athletic trainer.
As a dedicated member of the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA), Dr. Flanagan served on the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education for 7 years and has been an active volunteer for the national, district, and state levels of NATA. Dr. Flanagan is an accomplished speaker and has made dozens of international/national presentations and 40 regional/district/state presentations, as well as publishing dozens of articles and book chapters. Dr. Flanagan is considered an expert in policy, especially with 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 National Collegiate Acrobatics and Tumbling 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.
