Meet Charles E. Lucas, MD
Professor of surgery at Wayne State University, Michigan, vice chair of the American College of Surgeons Foundation Board of Directors, and member of the ACS COT, Charles E. Lucas, MD FACS has dedicated his time, wealth of knowledge, and legacy gifts to the American College of Surgeons Foundation.
The youngest of four boys raised by immigrant Canadian farmers, and Detroit native—Dr. Lucas earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Detroit and his doctor of medicine degree from Wayne State University (WSU). After completing his residency at WSU, he accepted a position on the WSU surgical faculty, specializing in trauma and surgical critical care.
Dr. Lucas conducted his clinical and academic activities at Detroit General Hospital until its closure in 1980. He then moved to the Detroit Medical Center (DMC), practicing at the new Detroit Receiving Hospital (DRH), the Harper University Hospital (HUH), the Hutzel Hospital, and the Karmanos Cancer Hospital. A renowned trauma surgeon, Dr. Lucas was instrumental in securing DRH as the first ACS-verified Level I trauma center in the U.S. He has trained hundreds of medical students and residents, and his research efforts have resulted in the publication of more than 400 peer-reviewed articles, books, and book chapters.
An ACS Fellow since 1970, Dr. Lucas has served in several ACS volunteer roles for more than 35 years, including member, B/G (1984–1990, 1998–2004); President, ACS Michigan Chapter, (1981–1983); and member, Committee on Trauma (1993–2003). He has also been active in a number of surgical organizations, including the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma, American Surgical Association, Central Surgical Association, Midwest Surgical Association, Society of University Surgeons, and Western Surgical Association.
For Dr. Lucas, philanthropy was taught and encouraged early on. "We are obligated to support the institutions which allowed us to be successful ...these institutions can provide the support and stimulation to future physicians who did not have the opportunity to always be gainfully employed at a young age and to receive their education at a time when tuition expenses were still reasonable" he states. Alexander J. Walt, MD, FACS surgical chairman at Wayne State University, encouraged Dr. Lucas and all of his residents to support the ACS. The American College of Surgeons helps surgeons, just like Drs. Lucas and Walt, along their surgical journey, provides value, educational benefits, and a host of activities for members still in training or at the peak of their career.
Remember to include the American College of Surgeons in your estate plans. For more information, contact Beth White Carona, CFRE at 312-202-5506 or bcarona@facs.org.