Lucas has passion for taking care of pediatric patients, especially those who are diagnosed with Retinoblastoma and Glaucoma. Children with these diagnoses come back to Casey Eye Institute regularly to be examined under general anesthesia. Most are scared, traumatized and have difficulty taking their pre-op medication and you can hear them crying a lot. Lucas has developed an individualized approach, taking care of them in pre-op and post-op, learning their likes and dislikes.

One particular child would come in crying, and would not take her pre-op medication. Lucas developed rapport with her and her Dad, explained what to expect, escorted her to the operating room, held her on his lap while she was being prepared for anesthesia induction in the OR and stayed until she fell asleep. This child now comes in with less anxiety. There is no need for pre-med, she walks with Lucas to the OR without crying, wakes up from anesthesia after the procedure beautifully, eats a popsicle or two and then goes home with Dad who is so thankful to Lucas for the compassionate care the child receives.