FOR OHIO
Meet Amy
A fighter for Ohio
Dr. Amy Acton grew up in Youngstown, Ohio under difficult circumstances. But that made Amy tough – and now, Amy is running for governor to fight for every Ohio family that’s struggling today.
Mother. Doctor. Fighter.
Growing up in Youngstown, in a family who’d worked in the steel mills, Amy Acton faced a difficult childhood—overcoming abuse, hunger, and periods of homelessness. That challenging upbringing molded the values and determination that have shaped a career dedicated to lifting others.
From working as a waitress to delivering newspapers, Amy worked her way out of poverty and put herself through college and medical school to become a doctor. She experienced firsthand what so many Ohio families face today—working harder than ever and still feeling like they’re falling behind.
After medical school, she began a lifelong focus on children’s health.
Her first assignment was a pediatrics residency tackling the horrific consequences of the crack cocaine epidemic in children. She then began a residency at Children’s Hospital and Ohio State University, where she trained in pediatrics and preventive medicine. There, she created the first-ever residency rotation in child advocacy and gained a master’s degree in public health.
Amy emerged as a community leader for children’s health as the Director of Project L.O.V.E, a partnership between Columbus area hospitals and community stakeholders focused on preventive health for Columbus-area children. She also joined the faculty at Ohio State University, where she became an award-winning professor of maternal and child health and global public health.
Amy later joined the Columbus Foundation, where she led on a wide variety of community health issues, from youth homelessness to women’s health.
Putting Ohians First
In 2019, Governor DeWine asked Amy to serve in his administration as the Director of the Ohio Department of Public Health. Amy put partisanship aside to serve the people of Ohio. Amid a wide variety of issues, she worked with Republicans and Democrats throughout the state to hold the big drug companies accountable for the opioid epidemic and shape a historic settlement to fund addiction recovery programs. When the pandemic hit, her steady leadership and voice for common sense not only saved countless lives but also helped Ohio’s economy and schools open earlier than other states. For her leadership, Amy earned a Profile in Courage Award from the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation in 2021 and was named Woman of the Year for Ohio by USA Today in 2022.
Following her service in the DeWine administration, Amy returned to the Columbus Foundation and helped found the Center for Human Kindness, then worked with CEOs, mayors, and community advocates to launch Rapid 5, a nonprofit to integrate the region’s park system and waterways, while lifting health and economic wellness. She also partnered with WKYC on an award-winning series called Health, Hope & Healing, where she spoke to Ohioans about the challenges they face and the innovative solutions they’re using to move themselves forward.
Now, Amy’s running for Governor because she refuses to look away from Ohioans who are struggling while politicians in Columbus cater to billionaires and corporations.
Amy lives in Bexley, Ohio with her husband, Eric, a lifelong teacher and coach in Bexley Public Schools. Together they have six kids and enjoy traveling, exploring nature, and spending time with their good friends and growing family.
