Dr. James Bertsch planned to treat those needing help with illnesses or other medical conditions; however, he originally thought those patients would be animals, not humans.
A change of heart inspired by his family doctor, Richard Keys, led Bertsch to establish a practice in Cambridge City, where he grew up on a farm. Five decades later, the Indiana State Medical Association has honored Bertsch for 50 years of “unselfish devotion to patients and loyalty to the medical profession,” according to a news release.
Following an internship, Bertsch, a 1966 Lincoln graduate, worked a short time in the Dayton, Ohio, area before returning to Cambridge City.
“Taking care of the people who take care of you. What more can you ask for?” Bertsch said in the release. “Home is home. I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Bertsch joined Reid Health in 2013 and now practices at Reid Primary & Specialty Care, 1154 S. Indiana 1, in Cambridge City.
“At Reid, we’re people taking care of people, and Dr. Bertsch is a shining example of that. There’s a special connection between him and his hometown,” said Ben Wells, Reid Health’s president/CEO. “Serving the community you love and have invested so much into for 50 years is an incredible accomplishment.”
Bertsch and his wife, Norma, operated a prize-winning dairy farm, have been involved in Cambridge City historic preservation efforts and own the Building 125 antique store.
“I feel so privileged to have been able to care for my family, my community, and my profession,” Dr. Bertsch said. “I believe in positive thought and believe all things are possible.”
A version of this article appeared in the September 24 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.