She Could Do Nothing But Connect: Amy Acton, the Student

As Ohio faces the COVID-19 pandemic, Amy Stearns Acton, M.D. (’90) has garnered widespread praise for her steady leadership as the director of the Ohio Department of Health. From Facebook fan clubs that have grown to more than 100,00 members to t-shirts and chalk art created in her honor, there has been an outpouring of support from Ohioans praising Dr. Acton’s decisive action and clear communication when it is needed the most to educate and reassure Ohioans.

One of Dr. Acton’s former classmates, Stephanie Zaza, M.D. (’90), M.P.H., shared the following reflection on the time she spent with and getting to know Dr. Acton (then, Amy Stearns) at NEOMED.

I met Amy when we were Phase 1 students at YSU – 18 years old, starry-eyed and ready to change the world. We were so young, but even then, Amy had a powerful charm. Her ability to connect with people – everyone – was amazing and clearly still is.

When I look back on those years at YSU, at Rootstown, then back at the Youngstown clinical campus, I realize how much we all helped each other grow into the people we are today. All the big and little interactions, helping each other study, going to parties and concerts, finding ways to laugh through the difficult stuff. Amy was both determined and encouraging, and with an observant humor that always helped everyone else get through the long days and weeks of our rotations. What I remember most was that Amy always, always touched you on the shoulder or arm when she spoke to you. She could do nothing but connect.

I went into public health right after internship and had a great career at the federal level. From that vantage point, I observed every sort of example of how different people lead and manage public health at the state and local level.  Amy’s ability to lead the public health policy-making, decision-making, and communication work for the State of Ohio is beyond impressive.

That innate ability to connect – evident at 18 – still shines through.  I stand in awe!

Stephanie Zaza, M.D., M.P.H.
President, American College of Preventive Medicine