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Kathryn A. Koshansky, MS, ATC Emeritus Associate Professor |
Kathryn Koshansky retired from the University after over 40 years of service in several capacities of athletic training in March 2024 and received emeritus academic rank. She started at the University in 1983. For 28 years she had served as Head Athletic Trainer/Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine while also a faculty member and Athletic Training Program Director. Effective July 2011, her position changed to Chair of the Athletic Training Program through the School of Health Professions (SHP). She is a graduate of SUNY Cortland with a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education/Athletic Training and received her master’s degree in Physical Education/Exercise Physiology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) accredited Athletic Training Program offered through SHP in the Stony Brook University School of Medicine was developed by Koshansky. Initially as an internship, then undergraduate program and in 2019 the first graduate cohort was admitted. The program received CAATE 10-year continuing accreditation through 2031-32. She is a tenured Associate Professor and received the prestigious President's and Chancellor's Awards for Excellence in Teaching in 1989.
Koshansky, who has been a BOC certified athletic trainer since 1983, became a New York State certified athletic trainer in 1999, has served as treasurer (1990-98) and president (2000-02) of the New York State Athletic Trainers’ Association (NYSATA) and is a member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA).
Koshansky was appointed by the Board of Regents of the State University of New York to the Committee for Athletic Training, Board of Medicine. She completed two 5-year member terms from May 2012-February 2022, and is presently serving as an extended member through February 2027.
From 1983-2004, Koshansky served as Head Athletic Trainer at Stony Brook University. In 2004 she was promoted to Assistant Director of Athletics for Sports Medicine. Through the Department of Athletics, Koshansky was responsible for the overall operation of the Sports Medicine Department, which provides healthcare for every student-athlete participating at the intercollegiate level. The growth of the athletic program from Division III to Division I resulted in an increase in staff size (from .5 to 6 assistant athletic trainers) as well as numerous other administrative responsibilities such as scheduling, budgeting, staff supervision, drug testing, etc. Initially Koshansky provided coverage for all sports, but as the programs grew her primary responsibilities focused on football, men's lacrosse, and men's/women's cross country/track and field. Koshansky was the athletic trainer for the 2005 Northeast Conference Football champions, 2002 & 2010 America East Men's Lacrosse champions and the 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 America East Women's Cross Country champions
Koshansky served as the Head Athletic Trainer for the Empire State Games from November 2004-2010. The largest competition of its kind in the nation, the Games is a multi-sport event for amateur athletes patterned after the Olympic program. She directed the medical coverage for each venue during the 5-day event – a staff of over 100 volunteers comprised of certified athletic trainers and athletic training students, in addition to physicians.
In June 2000, Koshansky was selected to volunteer as an athletic trainer for the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, NY. On behalf of the United States Olympic Committee’s Sports Medicine Division and Sports Medicine Advisory Committee, Koshansky was also selected as a member of the USA Medical Staff for the 2003 Pan American Games held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. She was a medical volunteer for the TCS NYC Marathon in 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022.
For her contributions to the profession of athletic training, Koshansky has received several distinguished honors. Recognizing Koshansky's dedication and contribution to the SBU Department of Athletics for 28 years, she was inducted into the Stony Brook University Rita & Kurt Eppenstein Athletic Hall of Fame - Class of 2020. In January 2011, Koshansky was inducted into the NYSATA Hall of Fame Class of 2011 for her commitment to the athletic training profession, to her athletic training students, and to the practicing athletic trainers in New York State. In March 2008, Koshansky received the highest recognition by the Town of Brookhaven Office of Women’s Services for excellence in professional endeavors. This award acknowledges women who have made significant contributions to the quality of life in Brookhaven based on a variety of accomplishments, ranging from education, to medicine and community service. Koshansky was awarded the NATA Athletic Trainer Service Award in June 2006. In January of 2005, Koshansky was awarded the Thomas J. Sheehan Award by the NYSATA. The award, which is the highest given out by the NYSATA, is presented to the athletic trainer whose character, commitment and achievements in the athletic training profession clearly exemplify the traits of Thomas J. Sheehan Sr., the long-time Head Athletic Trainer at RPI and one of the founding fathers of the athletic training profession and NYSATA.
Koshansky enjoys spending time with family and friends as well as photography and gardening.
