Interview with: Kathryn Flynn, PhD
Medical College of Wisconsin
Kathryn Flynn, PhD, has been active in ISOQOL for many years and most recently served on the ISOQOL Board of Directors from 2021 to 2024. With her term as a Director-at-Large having concluded following the 2024 Annual Conference, ISOQOL would like to thank Dr. Flynn for her involvement and dedication to the Society.
In an interview with QualityTALK, the past Director-at-Large talks about her experience with the Society and lets members get to know her better.
Can you tell a little about your journey to becoming an ISOQOL board member?
Kathryn Flynn (KF): I joined ISOQOL in 2010, when I presented a poster, “Progress on the PROMIS® Sexual Function Measure” at the London conference. I had a great experience at the meeting. While my attendance was spotty at first (because I had 4 kids between 2007 and 2014), I was always glad the years I was able to attend ISOQOL. I knew I wanted to get more involved, and in 2017, I decided to put my name in for the Mixed Methods SIG co-chair. However, I accidentally put myself on the ballot for the Psychometrics SIG chair. Whoops! Somehow it worked out that the other SIG I was a member of, the Clinical Practice SIG, needed a co-chair, and so I served there for 3 years. When it was up, I decided to run for the Board.
What does serving on the ISOQOL Board of Directors mean to you?
KF: Serving on the Board was a rewarding experience. I got to participate in strategic planning and decision-making about the direction of the society. I found the time commitment to be manageable, and I really valued getting to know other ISOQOL members better through the work.
What is your favorite thing about ISOQOL?
KF: I value ISOQOL’s mix of people from different disciplinary backgrounds, professions, and countries.
What member benefits do you value and use the most?
KF: Attending the ISOQOL conference is consistently a highlight of my year.
What’s your biggest (or one of your biggest) professional accomplishment(s) so far?
KF: Developing the PROMIS Sexual Function and Satisfaction measures with Kevin Weinfurt and our amazing PROMIS SexFS domain team.
What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?
KF: If you aren’t being rejected you aren’t aiming high enough.
Is there anything else you would like to share with ISOQOL membership (e.g., current projects you are working on)?
KF: I’m co-chairing the 2025 Conference with Betsy Tschosik. Please come join us in Milwaukee in October; we have secured many exciting speakers, and it’s going to be a great event, as usual.
This newsletter editorial represents the views of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of ISOQOL.
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