By Dannika Kemp Avent
In honor of National Autism Awareness Month, WWN is spotlighting Tracy Yale. Tracy and her husband Randy share a personal passion for advocacy and awareness of Autism.
What is your current role at Yale?
I am an Education Manager in Department of Pediatrics at the Yale School of Medicine. I provide oversight and integration of all medical education activities within the Dept. of Pediatrics.
What other Yale groups are you involved in (volunteering, committees. etc.)?
I was key in establishing the first Workplace Survey Committee at Yale, in which I served in a leadership role for over 2 years in the Department of Education at the Yale School of Medicine.
Tell us how you achieve work/life balance as a “Working Mom” at Yale?
I make sure I build in enough time in my schedule to get regular exercise, which gives me the energy boost I need to be productive. I often exercise with my family, so I get to spend time with them at the same time. We hike a lot and take long walks by the Quinnipiac River and even dance in the kitchen when the weather is bad!
When did your family first learn about Autism?
When our son Jacob was diagnosed in the third grade.
Tell us about the community programs and events you are currently involved in?
We have a lot of involvement with the ASRC (Autism Services & Resources Connecticut). My husband and I both attend parent advocacy classes. Currently, our whole family is working on various projects and fundraising for ASRC’s 17th Annual Walk for Autism on Sunday, May 3rd at the Choate Athletic Field in Wallingford, Connecticut.
Can you share how you have benefited as an employee of Yale?
Our family takes advantage of the many happening at Yale: Women’s volleyball games, football games, Cullman-Heyman Tennis Center and discounts for Yale Repertory Theatre Season passes. Most importantly, we’ve benefited from our access to high-quality and affordable health care for our children and easy access to the Autism Program at the Yale Child Study Center, which has provided us with invaluable services.
What advice would you provide to new moms at Yale?
Embrace every moment, try to keep things in perspective, and don’t be afraid to ask for help!
Can you share how working at Yale has impacted your awareness of the greater New Haven community?
When I started working at Yale, I became more aware of the Long Island Sound. Our family went on an educational cruise, where we all learned about the different fish in the sound and how it is recovering from years of neglect. My son attended summer camp at the Schooner School in New Haven. Both of my children are more aware of the interconnectedness of our environment, because of these experiences.
If you could use one word to describe your experience at Yale, what would it be?
Gratified