Notable Alums

Charles

Specialty: General Surgery

Graduation Year: 1962

Charles Lucas

Charles E. Lucas, M.D. ’62, F.A.C.S., is a professor of Surgery for the Wayne State University School of Medicine. He is board certified in general surgery and in surgical critical care.

Before getting his medical degree from WSU, Dr. Lucas received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Detroit in 1959. He completed his general surgical residency at the WSU Department of Surgery at Detroit General Hospital in 1967, then remained on the surgical faculty until 1980, when the hospital closed. He moved to Detroit Medical Center, where he has been actively involved at Detroit Receiving Hospital, Harper University Hospital, Hutzel Hospital and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute.

Dr. Lucas has written or co-written more than 400 peer-reviewed articles, chapters and books. He has a strong clinical interest in hepato-biliary and pancreatic problems, and a research interest in the physiology of shock and resuscitation, and wound healing. One of his studies, the first randomized prospective study in trauma, is one of the most-cited articles in surgical literature. Another of his studies led to improved and less-costly patient care in shock and injury.

Dr. Lucas is a member of the WSU School of Medicine’s Alumni Board of Governors, and served as president from May 2013 to May 2014. He is a member of many local, national and international professional organizations, in which frequently he has served as an officer. Among other honors, he has received the School of Medicine’s Trailblazer Award, which is awarded annually to alumni and faculty who have forged paths through previously unexplored territory to become pioneers in their field of medicine and medical research.