(Atlantic, Iowa) — Officials with Cass Health have announced Dr. Elaine Berry is the 2025 recipient of the Iowa Medical Society/Copic Physician Humanitarian Award. The Award is presented annually to honor a physician for volunteer medical services and contributions to their community, specifically those individuals who unassumingly volunteer outside the spectrum of their day-to-day lives. Dr. Berry – Cass Health says – has been a pillar of the Cass County community since she began her career at Cass Health in 1988. Through 2022, she worked as a Family Medicine physician, primarily at Atlantic Medical Center, but also in satellite clinics in Griswold and Massena. She also provided care to patients in the hospital, obstetrics unit, and the Emergency Department.

Her other roles have included Cass County Medical Examiner, Medical Director for Cass County volunteer Emergency Services, Hospice Medical Director, and her current position as Chief Medical Officer at Cass Health. She has been instrumental in disaster preparedness, EMS advocacy, advancing electronic health records and quality medical care, and mentoring future medical professionals. Dr. Berry has also participated in medical mission trips to Egypt, India, Romania, Dominican Republic and Honduras, has supported newly immigrated families in her church community, and has been active in her local church with the worship team and teaching youth.

Dr. Elaine Berry

Each year, the recipient of the IMS/Copic award is asked to designate a $10,000 donation from Copic to be provided to a healthcare-related nonprofit organization within their community. Dr. Berry has designated the Cass Health Foundation to receive this donation, specifically to support the Nurse Apprenticeship program, an innovative initiative to train nurses and address the healthcare workforce shortage.

The Copic Humanitarian award was established in 2001 in memory of Harold E. “Hal” Williamson. Hal was one of the first non-physician board members of Copic. His inspiration and his dedication to going above and beyond led to the establishment of the Copic Medical Foundation. Today, Copic collaborates with state medical societies in offering this award.

Copic is a nationally renowned provider of medical professional liability insurance. Recognized for industry-leading patient safety and risk management programs, Copic works to support and educate healthcare professionals and help make medicine safer for all.