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Dr. Amy Acton announced as 2020 Spirit of Columbus Award winner

Acton was selected to recognize and honor her work and leadership in the community and to represent all of Ohio's health workers fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton has been named the recipient of this year’s Spirit of Columbus Award by the Columbus Foundation.

Gov. Mike DeWine made the announcement Friday afternoon at his daily press briefing.

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“This award honors those in Columbus who exemplify bravery, determination, and the resolve to see a challenge and tackle it,” President and CEO Douglas F. Kridler said. “This has Amy’s name written all over it.”

The Columbus Foundation said Dr. Acton was selected to recognize and honor her work and leadership in the community and to represent all of Ohio's health workers fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The heroism shown by our first responders during this time fills us with pride and reminds us of the strength of our community," Kridler said. "There could be no better representative of our medical professionals’ hard work, grit, and commitment to community than Dr. Acton. We know firsthand how dedicated to her work and passionate she is about our residents’ well-being.”

The Spirit of Columbus Award was created in 2013 in honor of pilot Jerrie Mock, the first woman to fly solo around the world.

As this year's recipient, Dr. Acton will receive a bronze miniature of the Mock sculpture at John Glenn Columbus International Airport.

Additionally, the foundation will make a $50,000 grant in honor of Dr. Acton to Star House.

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