Katie Echols grew up in Pike County, Georgia. She loved science from a young age and by late high school knew she wanted to pursue a career in healthcare. Her grandfather, Dr. Raymond E. Flake, himself a retired internal medicine doctor, played a large role in inspiring her to choose medicine. Echols was particularly interested in the field of pathology, but during medical school at the Medical College of Georgia she realized she loved interacting with patients and didn’t want to give up direct patient care. Then she discovered dermatology. Dermatology is a unique field in medicine — a physician can train in dermatology, do further training in dermatopathology, and then practice both clinical and surgical dermatology as well as dermatopathology. It was a perfect fit for her wide range of interests.

Dr. Echols and her husband, Blain, fell in love with Colorado when they moved to Denver for her internship at Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Hospital. After her training was complete, they began their search for a small Colorado town to call home. The Echols moved to Salida in 2017, and Dr. Echols has been practicing dermatology in both Salida and Gunnison clinics ever since. The Echols have two young sons, Finley (5) and Rowan (2), and they’re thankful to raise their children in such an amazing place.