Lucas Collins, MD
Hometown, State
Charlotte, North Carolina
What inspired you to pursue this degree?
Growing up, I always pictured myself becoming a teacher of some sort. I was lucky to have some incredible mentors in middle and high school who challenged me while still being sources of support. I think it was those meaningful relationships that really put education at the forefront of my mind. Once I got to college and started exploring lab and clinical work, I realized that medicine blended my love of teaching and human connection in a really unique way. Being a physician gives you the chance to meet people at their most vulnerable moments. Whether simple or complex, every patient has a story, and being a part of that story is a pretty profound privilege.
Why did you choose Duke?
Towards the tail end of my undergraduate years, I began working on Duke’s COVID-19 employee vaccination campaign. It was one of my first roles in a hospital setting, and honestly, I was pretty nervous. But it didn’t take long to realize what makes this place so special. The sense of community, support, and genuine fun helped shape me not just professionally as a 21-year- old, but personally as well.
When I applied to medical schools, Duke was at the top of my list because of those experiences, and my time here has only confirmed that decision. I have made lifelong friends here and even met my fiancée (soon to be wife!) on the very first day of medical school. The level of genuine care for one another, coupled with Duke’s unique curriculum of starting clinical clerkships in the second year, has given me the confidence to hit the ground running as an intern. On a more personal note, as someone born and raised in North Carolina, choosing Duke also meant staying close to home and serving the community that shaped me. Connecting with patients from across the state, from rural towns to urban centers, just by sharing a geographic background has been really grounding. And honestly, it’s hard to beat the weather, and being two hours from both the ocean and the mountains didn’t hurt either.
Do you have a favorite memory from your program?
It is difficult to pin down just one, but the White Coat Ceremony definitely stands out. It happened within our first few weeks, and I still remember the walk into Page Auditorium vividly. We were all this mix of nerves and excitement, not really knowing what the next four (or more!) years would hold. When we walked into the auditorium and heard the roar of applause, I got some of the best butterflies I’ve ever felt. Seeing how many friends and family had traveled to support us created this incredible feeling of excitement and pride. Putting on that coat represented years of hard work, but it also signaled the responsibilities to come. Plus, going to M Sushi with my family afterward made it even more memorable. It’s hard to top that.
How do you hope to make an impact with your career?
I’ll be starting Internal Medicine residency soon, with the hope of specializing in Gastroenterology. While my specific clinical interests may change, I know that my desire to create meaningful relationships will not. These connections will naturally start with patients, but one of my biggest goals is to learn from and eventually mentor the next generation of physicians. So many leaders at Duke (shoutout Drs. Katie Garman, Aimee Chung, Saumil Chudgar, Julius Wilder, and many more) have played a huge role in my journey. I hope to pay that impact forward and serve as a mentor to as many students and colleagues as possible.
What was the most important thing you learned at Duke?
The importance of community. Medicine and life are team sports. Duke emphasizes that from day one through team-based learning and small groups, but you really see it come to life on the wards. Watching interns, residents, attendings, nurses, pharmacists, therapists, and so many others come together to care for a single patient is pretty remarkable. Every team I’ve been part of had its own unique energy and style. Watching our faculty lead with inclusivity taught me how valuable different perspectives are and showed me that the best patient care happens when every member of the team feels heard and empowered to contribute.