What Does Amy Acton’s Public Record Show?

Posted: October 9, 2026
Posted by: Ohio Policy Staff
Fact Check

What Does Amy Acton’s Public Record Show?

This page covers three areas of Amy Acton’s public record: her career history, her public and nonprofit compensation, and her medical-license record. Each is answered separately below, with its source linked immediately after.

Source note: Non-Profit Records; Professional Licenses; Public Compensation. Public sourcing for each claim is provided in the Career Timeline, Public Compensation, Professional Record, and Sources & Evidence tables below.

Career Timeline

Career History

Amy Acton’s public career spans 2011–2023 and includes roles at The Ohio State University, The Columbus Foundation, the Ohio Department of Health (2019–2020, as Ohio Health Director), the Ohio Medical Quality Foundation, the Center for HumanKindness, and the Rapid 5 Project.

Source:

Laura Bischoff, “Once Homeless, Doctor Now to Lead Ohio Health Department,” Dayton Daily News, 2/26/19: https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/once-homeless-doctor-now-lead-ohio-health-department/HInM0S0k8RCkmP9s14iHrM/

Public record of Amy Acton’s professional roles across government, higher education, and nonprofit leadership.

Organization Role Dates Function / Notes Source Source URL
The Ohio State University, College of Public Health Assistant Professor 2011–2017 Public university teaching role; public salary records available for 2013–2016. The Buckeye Institute, Higher Ed Salary Database https://www.buckeyeinstitute.org/data/higher_ed_salary
The Columbus Foundation Grants Manager 2017–2019 Community research / grants-management role prior to joining ODH. Laura Bischoff, “Once Homeless, Doctor Now to Lead Ohio Health Department,” Dayton Daily News, 2/26/19 https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/once-homeless-doctor-now-lead-ohio-health-department/HInM0S0k8RCkmP9s14iHrM/
Ohio Department of Health Director 2/26/2019–6/11/2020 State cabinet-level public health director under Gov. Mike DeWine. Laura Bischoff, “Once Homeless, Doctor Now to Lead Ohio Health Department,” Dayton Daily News, 2/26/19 https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/once-homeless-doctor-now-lead-ohio-health-department/HInM0S0k8RCkmP9s14iHrM/
Ohio Medical Quality Foundation Trustee (unpaid) 2019–2020 Nonprofit trustee; Form 990 lists no reportable compensation. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, Ohio Medical Quality Foundation Form 990 https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/311443110/202013159349301126/full
The Columbus Foundation, Center for HumanKindness Vice President, Human:Kind 2/4/2021–2022 Led community-kindness and connectivity initiative (“Kind Columbus”). The Columbus Foundation, Center for HumanKindness https://columbusfoundation.org/building-social-capital/center-for-humankindness
Rapid 5 Project President & CEO 2022–2023 501(c)(3) nonprofit; 2023 filing lists Acton as the organization’s only paid employee. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, Rapid 5 Project 2023 Form 990 https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/874564973/202401369349315405/full

Public Compensation

Direct Answer — Public & Nonprofit Compensation

Public records show Amy Acton earned $185,293.17 in 2019 and $125,311.97 in 2020 as Ohio Health Director, and in 2023 received $212,684 in salary plus $8,319 in other compensation as Rapid 5 Project president and CEO.

Source:

Ohio Checkbook: https://checkbook.ohio.gov/Salaries/State.aspx

ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, Rapid 5 Project 2023 Form 990: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/874564973/202401369349315405/full

Compensation figures below are drawn from Ohio’s public payroll database and nonprofit tax filings, not from campaign or media estimates.

Organization Position Year Compensation Source Source URL
Ohio State University Assistant Professor 2013 $69,559.76 The Buckeye Institute, Higher Ed Salary Database https://www.buckeyeinstitute.org/data/higher_ed_salary
Ohio State University Assistant Professor 2014 $74,734.72 The Buckeye Institute, Higher Ed Salary Database https://www.buckeyeinstitute.org/data/higher_ed_salary
Ohio State University Assistant Professor 2015 $77,025.00 The Buckeye Institute, Higher Ed Salary Database https://www.buckeyeinstitute.org/data/higher_ed_salary
Ohio State University Assistant Professor 2016 $78,898.36 The Buckeye Institute, Higher Ed Salary Database https://www.buckeyeinstitute.org/data/higher_ed_salary
Ohio Department of Health Director 2019 $185,293.17 (base earnings) Ohio Checkbook https://checkbook.ohio.gov/Salaries/State.aspx
Ohio Medical Quality Foundation Trustee 2019–2020 $0 (unpaid, per Form 990) ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, Ohio Medical Quality Foundation Form 990 https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/311443110/202013159349301126/full
Ohio Department of Health Director 2020 $125,311.97 (base earnings) Ohio Checkbook https://checkbook.ohio.gov/Salaries/State.aspx
Rapid 5 Project President & CEO 2023 $212,684 salary + $8,319 other compensation ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, Rapid 5 Project 2023 Form 990 https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/874564973/202401369349315405/full

Professional Record

Medical License Record

Amy Acton’s Ohio Doctor of Medicine license (License #35.066895) has been active since June 16, 1994. As verified via eLicense Ohio on September 30, 2026, the license record shows no board action.

Source:

OhioPolicyUpdates.com, Hosted eLicense Verification Snapshot (Amy Stearns Acton, License #35.066895): https://ohiopolicyupdates.com/sources/amy-acton-ohio-medical-elicense-1994-verification/

Amy Acton has held an active Ohio medical license since 1994. The record below is limited to license status and workforce-disclosure facts; it does not include personal health information.

Fact Record Source Source URL
Medical license status Ohio Doctor of Medicine license #35.066895 issued June 16, 1994; verified active via eLicense Ohio on September 30, 2026, with no board action shown on the license record. OhioPolicyUpdates.com, Hosted eLicense Verification Snapshot (Amy Stearns Acton, License #35.066895)
eLicense Ohio, License Verification (live lookup)
https://ohiopolicyupdates.com/sources/amy-acton-ohio-medical-elicense-1994-verification/
https://elicense.ohio.gov/oh_verifylicensedetails
1994 licensure training evaluation On Acton’s 1994 application for certificate, a hospital training-program evaluator rated her medical knowledge and technique as “insufficient,” while rating her patient relationships, teamwork, and command of English as good to excellent. State Medical Board of Ohio, 1994 Application for Certificate — Medicine or Osteopathic Medicine (hosted document image, name/ID fields + hospital evaluation section) https://ohiopolicyupdates.com/sources/acton-1994-license-application-evaluation/
2019 license-renewal work-hours disclosure Acton’s May 2019 Ohio medical license renewal reported 100 total work hours at her practice site, with all hours coded “Administrative Activities.” State Medical Board of Ohio, 2019 License Renewal Application (hosted document image, name/ID fields + hours breakdown) https://ohiopolicyupdates.com/sources/acton-2019-license-renewal-application/

Nonprofit Leadership Roles

Detail on Acton’s nonprofit board and executive roles, each a registered 501(c)(3) organization, with compensation status drawn from public filings rather than estimates.

Organization Role Dates Compensation Status Mission / Notes Source Source URL
The Columbus Foundation Grants Manager 2017–2019 Salaried employee (specific figure not in public record). Community foundation providing grants and donor services in central Ohio. Laura Bischoff, “Once Homeless, Doctor Now to Lead Ohio Health Department,” Dayton Daily News, 2/26/19 https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/once-homeless-doctor-now-lead-ohio-health-department/HInM0S0k8RCkmP9s14iHrM/
Ohio Medical Quality Foundation Trustee 2019–2020 Unpaid; Form 990 lists no reportable compensation. 501(c)(3) organization; Form 990 lists Acton among individual trustees/directors. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, Ohio Medical Quality Foundation Form 990 https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/311443110/202013159349301126/full
The Columbus Foundation, Center for HumanKindness Vice President, Human:Kind 2/4/2021–2022 Salaried employee (specific figure not in public record). Collaboration between The Columbus Foundation and the Walter Foundation; promotes kindness and neighbor-connection programs (e.g., “Kindness Close to Home”). The Columbus Foundation, Center for HumanKindness https://columbusfoundation.org/building-social-capital/center-for-humankindness
Rapid 5 Project President & CEO 2022–2023 $212,684 salary + $8,319 other compensation (2023 Form 990). 501(c)(3) organization; mission is a connected regional park system along five central Ohio waterways. 2023 filing lists Acton as the only paid employee. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, Rapid 5 Project 2023 Form 990 https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/874564973/202401369349315405/full

Public Legal Record

A Franklin County Municipal Court record, filed under Acton’s maiden name, Amy L. Beech, predates her medical license and documents a 1993 traffic case.

Date Case Charge Disposition Source Source URL
Filed 5/10/1993 (offense date 5/6/1993) State of Ohio v. Beech, Amy L., Franklin County Municipal Court, Case No. 1993 TR D 118681 Driving Under Suspension/Revocation (R.C. 4507.02(B), first-degree misdemeanor) Guilty (no-contest plea), 5/20/1993. $20 fine plus $27 costs; 6 points reported to the BMV. Franklin County Municipal Court, Case No. 1993 TR D 118681, State of Ohio v. Beech, Amy L. (hosted case information printout) https://ohiopolicyupdates.com/sources/acton-1993-franklin-county-traffic-citation-tr-d-118681/
Filed 5/10/1993 (offense date 5/6/1993) State of Ohio v. Beech, Amy L., Franklin County Municipal Court, Case No. 1993 TR D 118681 Failure to Display License Plates (R.C. 4503.21, minor misdemeanor) Dismissed (final), 5/20/1993. Franklin County Municipal Court, Case No. 1993 TR D 118681, State of Ohio v. Beech, Amy L. (hosted case information printout) https://ohiopolicyupdates.com/sources/acton-1993-franklin-county-traffic-citation-tr-d-118681/

Frequently Asked Questions

Amy Acton is a physician and former Ohio Health Director whose public career also includes Ohio State University, The Columbus Foundation, nonprofit leadership, and the Rapid 5 Project.

Sources:

Her 2019 Ohio medical-license renewal reported 100 work hours and listed all of them as administrative activities. That record should be described exactly as filed, not as proof she was not a physician.

Source: State Medical Board of Ohio, 2019 License Renewal Application (hosted document image, name/ID fields + hours breakdown)

Public records show ODH compensation of $185,293.17 in 2019 and $125,311.97 in 2020; Rapid 5’s 2023 filing lists $212,684 in salary plus $8,319 in other compensation.

Sources:

Her Ohio medical license (#35.066895) is active and lists no board action, per an eLicense Ohio record verified September 30, 2026.

Sources:

Yes. A hospital training-program evaluator on her 1994 application for medical certification rated her medical knowledge and technique as “insufficient,” while rating her patient relationships and English proficiency higher on the same form.

Source: State Medical Board of Ohio, 1994 Application for Certificate — Medicine or Osteopathic Medicine (hosted document image, name/ID fields + hospital evaluation section)

A 1993 Franklin County Municipal Court record, filed under her maiden name Amy L. Beech, shows a no-contest plea and guilty disposition for driving under suspension/revocation, a first-degree misdemeanor traffic offense. A related failure-to-display-plates charge was dismissed. This is not a DUI and predates her 1994 medical license.

Source: Franklin County Municipal Court, Case No. 1993 TR D 118681, State of Ohio v. Beech, Amy L. (hosted case information printout)

Sources & Evidence

Primary government and organizational records are listed first, followed by reporting and reference sources.

Claim Supported Source Name Source URL Primary / Reporting
ODH compensation of $185,293.17 (2019) and $125,311.97 (2020). Ohio Checkbook https://checkbook.ohio.gov/Salaries/State.aspx Primary (government)
Ohio MD license #35.066895 active since 1994 with no board action (verified 9/30/2026). OhioPolicyUpdates.com, Hosted eLicense Verification Snapshot (Amy Stearns Acton, License #35.066895) https://ohiopolicyupdates.com/sources/amy-acton-ohio-medical-elicense-1994-verification/ Primary (hosted verification snapshot)
Ohio MD license active since 1994 with no board action (live lookup). eLicense Ohio, License Verification (live lookup) https://elicense.ohio.gov/oh_verifylicensedetails Primary (government)
1994 training evaluator rated medical knowledge/technique “insufficient.” State Medical Board of Ohio, 1994 Application for Certificate — Medicine or Osteopathic Medicine (hosted document image, name/ID fields + hospital evaluation section) https://ohiopolicyupdates.com/sources/acton-1994-license-application-evaluation/ Primary (hosted government document)
1993 Franklin County traffic case: guilty disposition (no-contest plea), driving under suspension/revocation; related plate-display charge dismissed. Franklin County Municipal Court, Case No. 1993 TR D 118681, State of Ohio v. Beech, Amy L. (hosted case information printout) https://ohiopolicyupdates.com/sources/acton-1993-franklin-county-traffic-citation-tr-d-118681/ Primary (hosted court record)
2019 license-renewal reported 100 hours, all coded “Administrative Activities.” State Medical Board of Ohio, 2019 License Renewal Application (hosted document image, name/ID fields + hours breakdown) https://ohiopolicyupdates.com/sources/acton-2019-license-renewal-application/ Primary (hosted government document)
Rapid 5 Project 2023 compensation: $212,684 salary + $8,319 other compensation; sole paid employee. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, Rapid 5 Project 2023 Form 990 https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/874564973/202401369349315405/full Primary (nonprofit filing)
Ohio Medical Quality Foundation trustee, 2019–2020, unpaid. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, Ohio Medical Quality Foundation Form 990 https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/311443110/202013159349301126/full Primary (nonprofit filing)
Center for HumanKindness / Human:Kind role and mission. The Columbus Foundation, Center for HumanKindness https://columbusfoundation.org/building-social-capital/center-for-humankindness Primary (organization)
Ohio State University salary records, 2013–2016 (69, 559.76–78,898.36). The Buckeye Institute, Higher Ed Salary Database https://www.buckeyeinstitute.org/data/higher_ed_salary Secondary (data compilation)
Columbus Foundation grants-manager role; ODH appointment announcement. Laura Bischoff, “Once Homeless, Doctor Now to Lead Ohio Health Department,” Dayton Daily News, 2/26/19 https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/once-homeless-doctor-now-lead-ohio-health-department/HInM0S0k8RCkmP9s14iHrM/ Reporting
Human:Kind vice-president start date (2/4/2021) and departure context. Cleveland Jewish News, 3/22/22 https://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/news/local_news/acton-speaks-of-love-human-kindness-amid-early-pandemic/article_8277089c-a622-11ec-bc4e-e711b81528e0.html Reporting
Cross-check of tenure and role dates. Wikipedia, “Amy Acton” (reference/cross-check only) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amy_Acton Reference (secondary; not used for compensation or license facts)