A Youngstown native who was instrumental in Ohio's early response to the coronavirus pandemic has been honored by USA Today.

Dr. Amy Acton was named one of USA Today's Women of the Year which honors women from across the country who have made a significant impact.

Acton, who was born on the city's north side and graduated from Liberty High School and Youngstown State University, served as Director of the Ohio Department of Health from February 2019 to June 2020.

Prior to leading the Ohio Department of Health, Acton taught at Ohio State University and worked with nonprofits in the Columbus area.

Dr. Acton was the first woman to be named the director of the Ohio Department of Health.

She was instrumental in the measures put in place to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Acton advised Governor Mike DeWine during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ohio became the first state to implement a number of precautionary measures to slow the spread including the closing of schools, limiting gatherings to 100 people or less, and temporarily closing indoor dining at bars and restaurants.

Following her resignation from the Department of Health, she considered a run for U.S. Senate but chose not to run in April 2021.

Dr. Acton joins a list of exceptional women to be honored by USA Today. Other Women of the Year winners include Vice President Kamala Harris, Melinda French Gates, Rachel Levine, and Olympian Simone Biles.