GeneralLast Updated on 9 months by General
Tracy Townsend serves as the co-anchor for the 5:30 p.m. edition of 10TV News and also takes the helm for 10TV’s noon newscasts. She wears many hats at 10TV, including the role of Medical Correspondent, where she delves into health issues impacting families. Her coverage spans breakthroughs and valuable tips for families’ well-being. Notably, Tracy is a 2016-2017 Fellow designate of the Center for Excellence in Health Care Journalism and a member of the Association of Health Care Journalists.
Beyond her anchoring and reporting, Tracy collaborates with 10TV Productions on a special segment titled “Toward A Cancer Free World.” This weekly segment features experts from The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute. These segments hold personal significance for Tracy, as she’s a breast cancer survivor. Her journey began in 2010, coinciding with her leadership in 10TV’s political coverage.
Tracy’s approach to her diagnosis is inspiring. She firmly believes that once you’re confronted with a diagnosis, you instantly become a survivor. This mindset fueled her proactive approach to research and advocacy for her own health and healing. Tracy emphasizes the importance of mammography, underscoring that early detection enabled her to undergo aggressive treatment and make a remarkable recovery. She advocates that women should receive mammograms annually starting at age 40, as long as they remain in good health.
Women’s health is an area where Tracy passionately advocates. She employs multiple platforms to encourage women to embrace fitness as a lifestyle, schedule yearly screenings, and prioritize self-care. Her dedication extends to supporting Komen Columbus and its Race for the Cure. Tracy doesn’t just talk the talk; she cycles in Pelotonia, a grassroots bike tour aimed at raising funds for cancer research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center. Her first ride, after her surgery in 2011, covered 25 miles. Since then, she has consistently met fundraising goals and completed the challenging 100-mile Pelotonia route.
Tracy’s career has also seen her lead 10TV’s coverage of Campaign 2012: Race for the White House. Her impressive portfolio includes interviews with prominent figures like President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Her dedication and excellence in this field earned her team several awards, including the esteemed Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Television Political Journalism in 2013, recognizing their exceptional voter-education efforts leading up to the 2012 primary and general elections.
Tracy’s roots trace back to Cincinnati, and she’s a proud graduate of The Ohio State University. Her previous work experience includes roles at WBBM-TV in Chicago, KCTV in Kansas City, and WKRC-TV in Cincinnati. Her accomplishments include an Emmy Award for news anchoring and recognition as a 2016-2017 Fellow of the Association of Health Care Journalists. In 2017, she earned the Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, further highlighting her journalistic prowess.
Beyond her professional life, Tracy is an active graduate member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), and the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA). She’s also engaged in The Links, Incorporated, an international not-for-profit organization known for its extensive volunteer work in women’s services.