CLEVELAND — Reaction has been pouring in after Gov. Mike DeWine announced Thursday that Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton was stepping down from her role for a new position.
Cuyahoga County officials offered the following comments about Dr. Acton as they hosted their weekly coronavirus press conference:
Cuyahoga County Health Commissioner Terry Allan:
We were very surprised and with regret that we heard that Dr. Acton was leaving her post as the state health director. She was on the job for 18 months, and her contributions to the well-being of Ohio citizens will take years to be fully measured and appreciated. Those of us in public health are grateful to Gov. DeWine for his ongoing dedication to public health in Ohio and his selection of Dr. Acton as the state's health director, which was clear evidence of that commitment. By relying on both longstanding public health practices and maintaining data-driven approaches based on science and proven public health practices, Dr. Acton led us from the early days in February when there were so many unknowns to where we are today responding in earnest to a global pandemic and doing everything we can to protect the people of Ohio.
Her decisive actions in the early stage of the pandemic undoubtedly saved thousands of lives and prevented many people from illness and suffering. She shared the hard truths about the shared sacrifices, which were required from all of us. She delivered these messages with the strength and compassion that came from the hardship of her lived experience.
The average tenure of a state health officer is two years across the country. Dr. Acton gave a lifetime of service to Ohioans in five months during a period, which seemed like five years to all of us. She was the right person for the job at exactly the right time. We’re extremely grateful for her service, and look forward to working with her in her new role with Gov. DeWine.
Cuyahoga County Board of Health Medical Director Dr. Heidi Gullett:
Your strong leaderships, calm and encouraging presence have been really powerful for all of us – particularly those of us on the frontlines in local public health across the state of Ohio, and actually across the country. Your swift and decisive action has really protected all of us and given us the guidance that we needed where there was no playbook. I find it quite fitting that you have been recognized nationally for your leadership. We will be forever grateful. I, personally, am as well at the local level for all you’ve done.
I’ve been honored to be on your team this whole time, and it’s very clear that your leadership has protected us and prevented significant loss of life in this state. I thank you for your service, for your sacrifices, for the sacrifices of your family so that you could do this job over the last few months in particular. As another female physician and fellow mom, I thank you very much. I told Dr. Acton this a few times, but it’s really inspiring to see what you’ve done for our community and for our state. I will be forever grateful for that.
Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish:
The governor put it very well when he said that not all heroes wear capes, some wear white coats. I firmly believe that there would be many, many more dead in Ohio if it were not for the wisdom, the expertise and the courage that Dr. Acton demonstrated throughout these past few months. All of us have been beneficiaries of her steady presence and her encouragement as we all made monumental changes to our lives. I want to thank Dr. Acton from the bottom of my heart for her great work.
You can watch the full press briefing live in the player below:
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