Tracey Wilson, Senior Program Coordinator, retires after 32 successful years at Pitt and UPMC

  • At the end of August 2021, Tracey Wilson will complete a productive, impactful 32-year career in clinical administration and research at the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC. 

  • Ms. Wilson began her career in 1989 as Administrator for the Summer Treatment Program for children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (then “ADD”), directed by William (Bill) Pelham, PhD.  At its height, the STP treated over 100 children per summer and became a model service delivery program for children’s mental health in the US.  Hundreds of children were enrolled and staff hired from all over the nation in the years that Ms. Wilson served as administrator for the ADD program.  To this day, parents and former STP children still reach out to her due to the meaningful relationships established with her, the treatment that helped the children, and the caring, well-resourced support Ms. Wilson has continued to provide over the years.  She will be missed by our STP families.

  • In the late 1990s, amongst many other important projects overseen by Ms. Wilson, she assumed the role of Project Coordinator for the long-running follow-up study of the STP children:  the Pittsburgh ADHD Longitudinal Study (PALS; directed by Dr. Brooke Molina and co-directed by Dr. Bill Pelham). This study, which continues to this day, has contributed extensively to the research literature and informed the clinical care of children, adolescents, and adults with ADHD.  ADHD is among the most common behavioral health conditions experienced by children and adults throughout the world which helps to illustrate the tremendous impact of this work.  Over this time, the PALS produced nearly 100 scientific publications and hundreds of national and international scientific meeting presentations.  Many of these findings are described in our newsletters archived here and also on the NIH Website.  Some of these findings include:

    • Many children with ADHD continue to experience symptoms into adulthood and MRI-measured differences in the brain are detectable in the early 30s;

    • Difficulties with academics, relationships, and behavior in childhood continue at some level into adulthood for most children with ADHD;

    • Teens with ADHD whose parents monitor their whereabouts and activities are less likely to drink alcohol by age 17;

    • Most children with ADHD do not have problems with alcohol by adulthood, but they nevertheless have increased risk that should be monitored;

    • Most children with ADHD stop taking childhood-prescribed stimulant medication for ADHD by adulthood; newer treatments need to be developed that can be adapted to the needs and desires of contemporary, digital-age adults and families.

  • The PALS Study is continuing, now under the direction of Drs. Brooke Molina and Sarah Pedersen, due importantly to the efforts of Ms. Wilson’s successful oversight of recruitment and retention, data collection, and staff hiring and training over 20 years.  In addition to attending with care and concern to the well-being of the PALS families and training staff to accomplish this mission, Ms. Wilson accomplished (relatedly), one of the highest ADHD study participation rates nationally – 90% over the years.  This accomplishment has allowed the study to thrive – producing spin-off studies and findings, multiple publications adding to knowledge of ADHD course and treatment, and launching the careers of many young scientists and research staff to continue this work.  Due to Ms. Wilson’s dedication to the PALS and its families, and her understanding of the need for continued research to improve treatment for ADHD and alcohol problems, Ms. Wilson is completing her career with us by leaving behind a strong, well-trained, dedicated research team prepared to continue the work of the PALS.

  • Alongside the accomplishments of the PALS, Ms. Wilson oversaw the growth of the Youth and Family Research Program.  The YFRP grew out of the ADD Program as the research portfolio expanded, increasing from one faculty member (Molina) to five (Pedersen, YFRP Co-Director, and Drs. Heather Joseph, Frances Wang, and Traci Kennedy).  The program’s research continues to emphasize the understanding and treatment of ADHD and substance use problems and now works to accomplish this research with a health equity lens.  Ms. Wilson’s leadership and vision helped to create this vibrant research program that will work to aid the well-being of the families of Pittsburgh and beyond for years to come.