Youngstown State University’s Centofanti Symposium presents Dr. Amy Acton

Dr. Amy Acton, a licensed physician in Preventive Medicine and Public Health with over 30 years of experience in executive leadership, philanthropy, public service, teaching and advocacy, presents at Youngstown State University’s Centofanti Symposium 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 4, in Stambaugh Auditorium.

Admission to the lecture is free, but tickets are required. Tickets are available at the Stambaugh Auditorium box office or online at stambaughauditorium.com.

As director of the Ohio Department of Health during early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Acton’s widely acclaimed leadership and inspiring guidance was seen in daily news conferences as COVID exploded in the spring of 2020, earning her a Profile in COVID Courage Award from the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation in 2021.

In 2022 she was named Woman of the Year for Ohio by USA Today for her significant impact. Acton has also been featured in the NY Times, Glamour and the Smithsonian Magazine. Acton received The Columbus Foundation’s 2020 Spirit of Columbus Award and is a recipient of The Ohio State Alumni Medalist Award.

Acton has taught at The Ohio State University's College of Medicine and Public Health and at the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital's Research Institute. She previously directed Project L.O.V.E. in Columbus, an initiative of local hospitals to Love Our Kids, Vaccinate Early. She also worked for the Columbus Foundation as a community research and grants management officer.

Under her leadership as state health director, Ohio created the first ODH deputy director position focused on mobilizing federal and state resources to promote health equity, inclusion and opportunity for all Ohioans.

The James and Coralie Centofanti Foundation donated $1 million to YSU in 2012 to establish the Centofanti Center of Health and Welfare for Vulnerable Populations at the Bitonte College of Health and Human Services at YSU. The center focuses on providing support for educational initiatives, student scholarships, research, and workforce development that promotes the well-being of individuals affected by debilitating illness, poverty, disability and discrimination.