Amy Acton Resigns As Director Of Ohio Department Of Health
COLUMBUS, OH — Dr. Amy Acton is resigning as director of the Ohio Department of Health. She will continue to serve Gov. Mike DeWine's administration as his chief health advisor.
"Let me say how very grateful I am for Dr. Acton’s selfless and tireless service to the people of Ohio as our Department of Health Director. No one is more passionate about public health than Dr. Amy Acton. She always puts the health and safety of Ohioans first and foremost," DeWine said Thursday.
The resignation takes effect immediately. In her new role, Acton will continue to advise DeWine on COVID-19 issues and will address holistic and well-being issues for all Ohioans.
"It’s true, not all heroes wear capes. Some of them wear a white coat embossed with the name Dr. Amy Acton," DeWine said.
Lance Himes will serve as the interim director of the Ohio Department of Health. He previously held that role prior to Acton's appointment.
In a farewell speech on Thursday, Acton thanked her colleagues at the Ohio Department of Health, DeWine, his wife Fran DeWine, medical officials throughout Ohio and the media.
"I feel a deep honor serving alongside this governor," Acton said. She further said it had been an honor to lead Ohio through the COVID-19 crisis. "A pandemic disrupts us. It's a little virus that we can't see, but in some ways it has been bigger than all of us. It has woken us up. It has created new opportunities," Acton said.
Acton said she debated resigning for months. As the state enters a new phase of grappling with COVID-19, with the economy reopened, she felt the timing was appropriate to depart her position.
Acton was the subject of virulent protests over COVID-19 restrictions in Ohio. An Ohio lawmaker's wife compared Acton's health orders to Nazi Germany. Protesters also camped outside Acton's home and displayed anti-Semitic signs addressing her during protests.
Republican lawmakers in Ohio made frequent attempts to limit her power as director of the state's health department.
Her knowledge, compassion, and determination have set an example for all of us, and Dr. Acton’s extraordinary bedside manner and wise counsel have helped us all get through this pandemic.
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) June 11, 2020
This article originally appeared on the Cleveland Patch
