Meet Kathleen Flartiy

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kathleen Flartiy a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Kathleen, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

For me, resilience is deeply rooted in purpose. I’ve had the privilege of serving in both military and civilian health care settings for over four decades, and what drives me is a profound sense of responsibility to those who’ve worn the uniform and to the families who stand beside them. My strength comes from my family, my friends the people I work with—those who show up every day not because the work is easy, but because it matters.
At the Marcus Institute for Brain Health (MIBH), I witness transformation daily. I see patients reclaim their lives, rediscover hope, and reconnect with their core identities. That journey—watching someone move from despair to possibility—is where my resilience is renewed. It’s a reminder that healing is possible, and that purpose fuels perseverance.

What do you do at MIBH and why is it impactful?
I serve as the Executive Director at MIBH, where I help lead a world-renowned team dedicated to treating veterans and first responders with mild to moderate traumatic brain injuries, often complicated by co-occurring psychological health conditions such as depression, anxiety or PTSD.
Our work is impactful because it’s personal, integrated, and holistic. We meet each patient where they are and treat the whole person; cognitively, physically and emotionally —not just their symptoms. Our interdisciplinary model brings together neurology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, psychology, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, and other specialties in a coordinated, collaborative approach. That level of integration is rare in health care, and it’s life-changing for our patients. It allows us to deliver care that is not only clinically effective but also deeply human.

What skills or qualities are important for resiliency?
Resilience isn’t about avoiding hardship—it’s about navigating through it. The qualities I see most often in resilient individuals are courage, self-awareness, and persistence. But just as important is vulnerability—the willingness to ask for help and to let others in. For me as a 41-year military leader it was hard for me to ask for help and show my vulnerabilities, but success takes support, failure you can do alone. I now ask for help, and I allow myself grace when I struggle. It’s so important to intentionally do things that nourish you, your own wellness practices—physically, mentally, and emotionally—so that you can show up as the best version of yourself, both personally and professionally. For me, that means transcendental meditation, time in nature, moving my body through activities like going to the gym, hiking, or backpacking, and staying connected with my social network. These moments help me recharge, gain perspective, and stay grounded. Whether it’s a quiet walk in the woods, a challenging trail, or a meaningful conversation with a friend, these experiences fuel my resilience and creativity. They remind me of who I am and help me bring clarity, compassion, and energy into everything I do.

At the Marcus Insitute for Brain Health, we focus on helping patients build adaptive coping strategies, strengthen their support systems, and reconnect with their sense of identity and purpose. We remind them that healing is not linear, and that they are not alone. Resilience is cultivated through connection, reflection, and the belief that growth is possible—even in the face of adversity.

What sort of folks are we looking to collaborate with?
We’re always seeking to collaborate with individuals and organizations who share our mission of serving those who’ve served. That includes clinicians, researchers, veteran and first responder organizations, policymakers, and community advocates.

We’re especially interested in partners who value innovation, understand the complexity of brain injury and psychological health, and are committed to interdisciplinary collaboration. Healing takes a community, and we’re building that community—one partnership at a time. Whether through advancing clinical care, expanding access, or driving policy change, we welcome those who are ready to make a meaningful impact.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

Located at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical, Campus, the Marcus Institute for Brain Health (MIBH) delivers advanced, co-located, interdisciplinary precision medicine and research for traumatic brain injury (TBI) and psychological health (PH) conditions such as post-traumatic stress (PTS). We treat Veterans, Active Duty Service Members, and First Responders experiencing lasting symptoms from mild to
moderate TBI.
We provide individualized, innovative brain health care for our Nation’s Heroes

Dr. Flarity is the Executive Director for the CU Marcus Institute for Brain Health (MIBH) and Co-Founder/Deputy Director of the CU Center for COMBAT Research, and Professor of Emergency Medicine. MIBH is a clinical care and research institute for traumatic brain injury (TBI) and psychological health (PH) conditions such as post-traumatic stress. She is an experienced researcher, nurse practitioner and emergency and critical care flight nurse. She has over 41 years of military service from Army combat medic to Air Force General. Her service includes multiple deployments and commands. Dr. Flarity’s passion for treatment and research interest is in TBI, PTSD, brain wellness and resiliency for our nation’s heroes. She has provided her resiliency intervention “Passion in Practice” (grounded in positive psychology, neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and human performance science) to over 30K military/civilian heroes.

110 Hours of Treatments
Between patient evaluation and 3-week Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), we provide 110 hours of individualized, comprehensive care, ensuring tailored support and care.

We remove barriers to care by considering all appropriate applicants, regardless of their ability to pay out-of-pocket for travel, lodging, or services provided at MIBH.

Our care integrates medical & psychological treatments, combining speech, cognitive, & neuro-physical therapies with approaches such as art, canine, & equine therapy for a holistic healing experience.

Our work is made possible through the generosity of donors committed to brain health and healing. Each patient’s full care, including evaluation and IOP, costs approximately $48,000. Philanthropic support bridges the gap, funding nearly $42,000 of every healing journey

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Reflecting on my leadership journey, three qualities stand out as especially impactful: purpose-driven resilience, relational intelligence, and strategic adaptability.

Purpose-Driven Resilience
Resilience has been essential, but it’s not just about endurance—it’s about staying grounded in purpose. Whether in military service or civilian health care, my commitment to those I serve has helped me navigate challenges with clarity and strength.
Advice: For those early in their journey, take time to define your “why.” Purpose fuels perseverance. When you’re clear on what drives you, it becomes easier to stay focused and resilient through uncertainty. Include your personal well-being in your definition of success. If you take time to do things that nourish you, you will bring a better spouse, parent, leader, coworker.
Relational Intelligence
Leadership is fundamentally about relationships. The ability to listen deeply, build trust, and foster collaboration across diverse teams has been critical. Especially in complex environments like MIBH, where interdisciplinary care is key, relational intelligence helps bridge gaps and build unity.
Advice: Invest in emotional intelligence. Practice empathy, active listening, and humility. Seek feedback regularly and use it to grow. Relationships are the foundation of effective leadership.
Strategic Adaptability
The ability to pivot, innovate, and lead through change has been vital—especially in health care and military contexts where conditions evolve rapidly. Strategic thinking paired with agility allows leaders to respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively.
Advice: Stay curious. Read widely, ask questions, and surround yourself with people who challenge your thinking. Learn to embrace change as an opportunity rather than a threat. Take time to do your wellness practices.
Ultimately, leadership is a journey of continuous learning. The most impactful leaders I’ve known are those who remain open, reflective, and committed to growth—not just for themselves, but for the people and missions they serve.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

What sort of folks are we looking to collaborate with?
We’re always seeking to collaborate with individuals and organizations who share our mission of serving those who’ve served. That includes clinicians, researchers, veteran and first responder organizations, policymakers, and community advocates.

We’re especially interested in partners who value innovation, understand the complexity of brain injury and psychological health, and are committed to interdisciplinary collaboration. Healing takes a community, and we’re building that community—one partnership at a time. Whether through advancing clinical care, expanding access, or driving policy change, we welcome those who are ready to make a meaningful impact.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Photo by Jay Billups, Colorado Springs, CO

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