Dr. Amy Acton, former Director of the Ohio Department of Health, has received an award from the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.

Acton and six others were given the COVID Courage award that represents sacrifices and courage during the pandemic.

She was the first woman physician appointed to Ohio's top public health position and helped guide the state through the COVID-19 pandemic.

The JFK Library website cites Dr. Acton's aggressive shelter-in-place order to slow the spread of the coronavirus as one of the reasons she was given the award.

Acton would later become the target of protests and some lawmakers who wanted to limit her power.

"Dr. Acton embodies strength, truth, humility, and heart. She is driven by a conviction that everyone deserves the opportunity to be healthy, and this was certainly evident in her leadership during the COVID pandemic. Her intelligence and passion for public health made her a successful convener and her genuine empathy made her a trusted and natural public spokesperson," said Joanne Pearsol, former Deputy Director of the Ohio Health Department.

Acton would serve as health department director until her resignation in June 2020.

Other recipients of the COVID Courage award include Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Arizona ICU nurse Lauren Leander and Massachusetts Fire Captain Fred Freeman.