COLUMBUS, Ohio — A pair of state lawmakers want to give former state health director Dr. Amy Acton her own day.
Sponsored by Democratic Reps. Mary Lightbody of Westerville and Kent Smith of Euclid, the bill that would declare Feb. 26 as Dr. Amy Acton Day in Ohio.
This is the date in 2019 when Acton was named health director of the Ohio Department of Health by Gov. Mike DeWine.
After stepping down from her position on June 11 despite pleas from Gov. Mike DeWine to stay on her role, she is now a health adviser to the governor.
She went from largely unknown to celebrity status overnight as she led the early efforts of the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. On many afternoons over the previous months, Acton stood with DeWine during his briefings on the state’s response to the coronavirus. When it came to her turn to speak, she explained medical jargon and complex concepts about COVID-19 in a calm and collected manner, offering clarity during a fluid situation.
However, she did become the focal point of criticism from lawmakers on her restrictions during the state's shutdown to curb the spread of the virus.
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