Amy Acton

Amy Acton
Acton in 2026
Director of the Ohio Department of Health
In office
February 26, 2019 – June 11, 2020
GovernorMike DeWine
Preceded byLance Himes
Succeeded byLance Himes (acting)
Personal details
BornAmy Leigh Stearns
(1966-02-16) February 16, 1966
PartyDemocratic
Spouses
Douglas Beech
(div. 2008)
Eric Acton
(m. 2010)
Children6
EducationYoungstown State University (BS)
Northeast Ohio Medical University (MD)
Ohio State University (MPH)
WebsiteCampaign Website

Amy Leigh Acton (née Stearns; born February 16, 1966 in Youngstown, Ohio) is an American physician and researcher who is currently running for governor of Ohio. Acton previously served as the director of the Ohio Department of Health from 2019 to 2020. She led Ohio's COVID-19 pandemic response and accompanied Governor DeWine during his daily afternoon press conferences throughout the spring of 2020. During the COVID-19 pandemic response, Amy Action supported temporary closing bars and restaurants, limiting large gatherings, and closing K-12 schools statewide to combat COVID-19. Prior to and immediately after serving as director of the Ohio Department of Health, she worked at the Columbus Foundation. She left her position at the foundation upon announcing her candidacy for the 2026 Ohio gubernatorial election.