Wayne State University School of Medicine alumnus and faculty member Charles Lucas, M.D. '62, F.A.C.S., will be honored with the University of Detroit Mercy's Alumni Achievement Spirit Award. He will receive the award at a dinner April 28.

Dr. Lucas, a professor in the WSU Michael and Marian Ilitch Department of Surgery, received his undergraduate degree from the university's College of Engineering and Science in 1959. The university honors one alumnus from each of its schools and colleges annually. Award recipients reflect the University of Detroit Mercy's mission of excellence and service, and are considered leaders in their fields. Dr. Lucas is recognized for his work in the fields of shock, trauma and acute care surgery.

"I had the great honor of being chosen for (UDM's) Hall of Honor about five or six years ago and, when looking at the other members of the Hall of Honor, I feel very privileged to be part of that group. Receiving the Spirit Award is a great honor, and I am humbled to be a recipient of this award," he said.

Then called the University of Detroit, the college was an important part of Dr. Lucas's life since high school. He grew up on the east side of the city, and attended high school at DeLaSalle Collegiate.

"Most of my high school classmates who were not going to leave our beautiful city planned to go to college at UDM. Interestingly, my medical school graduation class of 103 individuals was composed of six individuals from DeLaSalle, five of whom did their premedical training at UDM," he said.

Dr. Lucas met his wife at UDM, and two of their five children have received their degrees from the university. His three brothers attended UDM as well, including Bob Lucas, M.D., a retired surgeon who graduated from the School of Medicine in 1955.

"The UDM has been an important part of all of our lives, and continues to be an important part for Detroiters and people from southeast Michigan," Dr. Lucas said.