IMS Awards

Each year, IMS recognizes physicians, laypersons, and organizations who have provided outstanding contributions to IMS, the profession of medicine, or public health by presenting the awards below. The following awards are presented annually at the President’s Reception and Awards Ceremony:

Five Iowa Physicians to Watch

The Iowa Medical Society (IMS) is pleased to announce the newly created “Five Iowa Physicians to Watch in 2025” award in honor of its 175^th Anniversary as an organization. Award recipients will be recognized Friday, May 2 at Hancher Auditorium as part of IMS’s 175^th Anniversary Celebration and President’s Dinner.

Criteria

Must be a practicing physician in the state of Iowa with a valid Iowa Medical License
All nominees must be practicing/teaching physicians that have been in practice or teaching for at least two years

And one of the following:

Leadership

The individual is recognized for leadership qualities, often taking a leading role in their company, organization, or field.
This can also include managing teams, leading initiatives, or influencing industry trends.

Impact and Influence

The nominee has made a measurable or visible impact in medicine or the medical community. This may involve breaking barriers, fostering innovation, or inspiring others through their work.

Innovation and Creativity

The nominee is seen as a forward-thinker, contributing innovative ideas, products, or strategies that influence their industry or community.

Community Impact

Efforts and initiatives that serve the community at large. Making positive strides for public health, or other improvements to access to care.

Potential for Future Success

The nominee is seen as someone with a promising future, who is likely to continue contributing significantly in their career or community.

IMS is accepting nominations and self-nominations for any MD or DO worthy of consideration, membership in IMS is not a requirement. The nominees will be reviewed and awarded by IMS’ leadership development committee. To nominate a physician, please fill out this form.

Deadline

Nominations are now open and will close Friday, Feb. 14, 2025.

IMS/Copic Physician Humanitarian Award

Presented each year to a physician in Iowa for volunteer medical services and contributions to their community through principles focused on human dignity, social justice, and compassion. This award specifically looks to recognize those individuals who unassumingly volunteer outside of the spectrum of their day to day lives. The recipient of the award designates a $10,000 donation from IMS/Copic to be provided to a health care related 501(c)(3) organization within Iowa. To nominate, please fill out this form.

Past awardees include:

2024 - David Muller, MD
2023 - Jay Brown, MD
2022 - Hendrik Schultz, MD
2021 - Selden Spencer, MD
2020 - James Bell, MD
2019 - Katherine Imborek, MD & Nicole Nisly, MD
2018 - Jennifer Groos, MD

Merit Award

John F. Sanford Award

Honors a layperson for contributions to public health or the field of health care. This award is named after the “father” of IMS, Dr. John F. Sanford, from Keokuk. To nominate, please fill out this form.

Past awardees include:

Washington Freeman Peck Award

Given to a lay organization to honor their contributions to public health. This award is named after Dr. Washington Freeman Peck, the principal agent behind the establishment of the State University of Iowa Medical Department in Iowa City, the institutional forebear of the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. To nominate, please fill out this form.

Past awardees include:

2024 - Urban Bicycle Food Ministry
2023 - CHP Community
2022 - Domestic Violence Intervention Program
2021 - EMBARC (The Ethnic Minorities of Burma Advocacy and Resource Center)
2020 - Accessibility for All
2019 - Shelter House
2018 - Iowa Radio Reading Information Service