Lucas Family Endowed Chair in Diabetes and Endocrinology Celebration
Written by Becca Schjodt
Jun 27, 2025
On the evening of Monday, June 2, 2025, guests came together to honor the establishment of the Lucas Family Endowed Chair in Diabetes and Endocrinology. Held in the Reilly Fireplace Lounge in the Anschutz Health Sciences Building, faculty, community members and the Lucas family celebrated the transformative power of philanthropy and medicine and recognized the inaugural chair holder, Mike McDermott, MD. The reception was a poignant acknowledgment of the pioneering work of the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes and what this new endowed chair will make possible for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diabetes, obesity and related endocrine disorders.
The program began with a warm welcome from Scott Arthur, Vice Chancellor of Advancement, who reflected on the dual impact of philanthropy and endowed chairs on the healthcare landscape. He emphasized the special partnership between benefactors and dedicated faculty, like Dr. McDermott, who are redefining the future of health and medicine.
Chancellor Don Elliman then took to the podium, offering deep gratitude to Steve and Shelley Lucas for their generosity and vision and highlighting how the Lucas Family Endowed Chair will speed progress in diabetes prevention and management, developing targeted therapies for the people of Colorado and beyond.
Bryan Haugen, MD, professor of medicine and holder of the Kern Chair in Endocrine Neoplasms Research, and Whitney S. Goldner, MD, head of the Division and the Frederic C. Hamilton Endowed Chair in Endocrinology, followed with their own remarks, expressing their thanks to the benefactors and honoring Dr. McDermott’s years of leadership and innovation. They also noted the important impact the Lucas Family Endowed Chair in Diabetes and Endocrinology will have on the Division and in the field, describing their excitement for the future of diabetes research and treatment.
Dr. McDermott then detailed his heartfelt gratitude for the Lucas family, his colleagues and the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus community. He spoke about the crucial role philanthropy plays in enabling leading-edge research and compassionate patient care and shared his hope for upcoming work in the field.
The program concluded with remarks from Steve Lucas, who reflected on what the establishment of the chair meant to his family and their hopes for the future of endocrinology at CU Anschutz. He spoke of their desire to support innovation and improve lives through the chair’s work.
To close the evening, Dr. Goldner and Dr. Haugen presented commemorative medallions to Dr. McDermott and Mr. Lucas, symbolizing the enduring partnership between philanthropy and academic medicine. A celebratory toast followed, honoring the Lucas Family Endowed Chair and the bright future it represents.
