Leaders Recognized with Honorary Degrees from NEOMED

The contributions of two outstanding leaders were recognized with honorary degrees at the Northeast Ohio Medical University Board of Trustees meeting held Wednesday, Sept. 9.

Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa degrees were conferred upon NEOMED College of Medicine alumna Amy Stearns Acton, M.D., M.P.H. (’90), director of the Department of Health for the state of Ohio from 2019-2020, now director of Kind Columbus at the Columbus Foundation; and to Richard T. (Rick) Kellar, M.B.A., the president of Peg’s Foundation.

The board noted Dr. Acton’s “lifelong dedication to medical education and practice, administration and community service; her advocacy of public health issues throughout Ohio and the nation; her honesty, integrity, indomitable spirit, boundless optimism and unerring dedication to doing what is right for all citizens; and her steadfast support as a role model and friend to the University’s students, faculty and staff.”

The board commended Rick Kellar for “his lifelong dedication to philanthropy, the arts and education as well as his advocacy of mental health issues throughout Ohio and the nation; and in recognition of his honesty, integrity, indomitable spirit, endless capacity to be optimistic and unerring dedication to doing what is right for all citizens; and his mentorship and friendship to the University’s students, faculty and staff.”