ECU’s Flanagan joins National Athletic Trainers’ Association board
The National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) will formally welcome East Carolina University’s Katie Walsh Flanagan as one of two new board members during its 68th Clinical Symposia and AT Expo in Houston June 26-29.
Flanagan will replace District Three director Patricia Aronson.
“This continues to be an exciting time to lead the organization, and we will all benefit from the vision, commitment, enthusiasm and experience of our new board members,” said President Scott Sailor. “I welcome them to their new roles and look forward to all they will contribute in the years ahead.”
Katie Walsh Flanagan will be welcomed as a new board member at the National Athletic Trainers’ Association during its Clinical Symposia in Houston, Texas. (contributed photo)
Flanagan is the director of athletic training education at ECU. Her work also includes research in policy and safety. She has authored and co-authored several NATA position statements as well as textbooks in athletic training. She previously served as the athletic trainer for NCAA Division I athletic teams in Illinois and California, the men’s professional soccer team in Chicago, and also served as an athletic trainer on several international trips with United States Soccer.
Flanagan has volunteered in many capacities for NATA and has served in roles in District Three as well as the North Carolina Athletic Trainers’ Association. Previously, she served on the Commission of Accreditation on Athletic Training Education executive board, including her role as vice president.
In 2012, Flanagan was inducted into the North Carolina Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame, and was twice named North Carolina College/University Athletic Trainer of the Year. She received many awards including NATA’s Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award in 2010, and Athletic Trainer Service Award in 2006. A native of Carmel, California, Flanagan resides in Greenville. She earned her undergraduate degree at Oregon State University, her master’s degree from Illinois State University and her doctorate of education from the University of Southern California.
The other new board member, Tony Fitzpatrick, has dedicated the last 29 years to the Boise (Idaho) School District, the last 19 of which have been at Timberline High School. He is currently the school’s head athletic trainer and sports medicine instructor and previously served as a biology instructor.
NATA trainers are health care professionals who specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries and sport-related illnesses. They prevent and treat chronic musculoskeletal injuries from sports, physical and occupational activity, and provide immediate care for acute injuries. Athletic trainers offer a continuum of care that is unparalleled in health care. NATA represents and supports 44,000 members of the athletic training profession. Visit www.nata.org for more information.
–by Jules Norwood