$100,000 Gift Honors Alumnus, Benefits Medical Heritage Center

The University of Cincinnati (UC) Academic Health Center has received a $100,000 gift to support its Cincinnati Medical Heritage Center Renovation Fund and honor the late Stanley Lucas, MD, a 1951 College of Medicine alumnus.

The gift, from Dr. Lucas’ wife, Judith, and their son, Daniel Lucas, MD, will provide naming rights in the main exhibit and conference room of the newly renovated Cincinnati Medical Heritage Center, which will open in 2007 in the College of Medicine’s Medical Sciences Building.

The center, currently located in Wherry Hall, contains a rare books library, archives of prominent Cincinnati biomedical researchers and a large collection of historical medical instruments.

“The generosity of Mrs. Lucas and Dr. Daniel Lucas will help create an exceptional space that will house UC's renowned medical history collections and museum pieces, including some of Dr. Lucas’ historical pieces,” said Henry Winkler, PhD, president emeritus at UC and chair of the Cincinnati Medical Heritage Center Advisory Board. “The center is an important resource for health professionals and is currently used by researchers worldwide.”

“We’re grateful for the Lucas family gift and their goal of preserving Cincinnati’s rich medical history, while honoring a man who profoundly loved science and was committed to caring for the people of our community,” added Jack McDonough, MD, associate professor of clinical surgery at UC and chair of the center's renovation fundraising committee.

Prior to his death in 2005, aged 76, Dr. Lucas donated his early X-ray tubes and radiological equipment to the Cincinnati Medical Heritage Center. They remain on permanent loan to the center and will be displayed in the new facility.

“The family is pleased to honor Stanley’s memory. He had a special affinity for the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and, in particular, its Medical Heritage Center,” said Mrs. Lucas. “He believed in the importance of preserving and showcasing the contributions of Cincinnati physicians to medical progress.”

Dr. Lucas was a radiologist who had a private practice in Corryville for 43 years and served on the staff of Jewish Hospital from 1961 until 1998. He was a fellow of the American College of Radiology and held the 2000 Silver Medal Award from the Ohio Chapter of the American College of Radiology. In retirement, he served as the president of the Foundation of the Cincinnati Academy of Medicine.