K. Jean Lucas MD, FACP, FACE
Dr. Lucas was born in Columbia, S.C., but moved to Raleigh, North Carolina as a child and considers the Tar Heel state home. She completed her undergraduate education at Duke University and attended medical school at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She did her internal medicine residency at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, N.C. and her internship at Pitt Memorial Hospital in Greenville, N.C. Her endocrinology fellowship with medical faculty appointment was completed at Duke University Medical Center.
She is board certified in internal medicine and the subspecialty of endocrinology. She practiced endocrinology in Little Rock, Arkansas, for two years prior to moving to Atlanta, Georgia in 1988. From 1988 through June 2000 she was in an internal medicine and endocrinology practice on the north side of Atlanta. She earned her medical radioactive license in 1993 and is experienced in radioactive iodine treatments for hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer.
Jeannie moved to Carteret County in 2000. After group practice for 4 years, she decided to branch out on her own and co-founded Diabetes & Endocrinology Consultants, now Lucas Research with her husband, Seth. She loves involving her patients in clinical research. She lives in Morehead City with Seth and 3 gray cats, Kona, Puna and KoKo. She enjoys travelling to beautiful places all over the world.
As doctors go, Jeannie is one of the very best. We are so lucky to have such a talented, fun, and humble one to work with on a daily basis. We wouldn’t trade her for the world!!
Justin Smith, PA-C
Justin moved to Morehead City in 2009 from Wilmington. Before going into the medical field, he worked in the construction industry and then decided to go back to school to pursue medicine. He graduated in 2014 from Wingate University with a master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies. He earned his undergraduate degree from Pfeiffer University where he also played baseball. Justin came to Lucas Research after working in the Onslow Memorial Hospital Emergency Room. Wanting to be closer to home, Justin applied for a clinical research position at Lucas Research and here he is! He’s married to Paige Strickland and they have a son named Chatham and a chocolate lab named Allie. Justin enjoys getting to know patients and building strong relationships to better understand their needs. Oh, and he also loves to fish and play sports, including golf!
Justin is up for any challenge and has quickly proved to be a rock steady member of our team. Nothing phases him and we love that about him!
Andrea Buery, PA-C
Andrea and family have relocated back to Carteret County after traveling with her husband John who is a communications officer in the United States Marine Corps. Although she’s originally from Kansas, her family was most recently stationed in Iwakuni, Japan where they welcomed their daughter, Margo. “I’m excited to be back in a community that I love and reconnecting with patients and friends.” says Andrea. She received her Master of Health Science at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, AL and loves working with patients to understand their unique diagnoses and make game plans to help them live their fullest life. So, when John was stationed back at Cherry Point, Andrea’s return to Lucas Research was an easy decision.
When she is not at work you can find her enjoying the outdoors of North Carolina. She loves hiking and camping and hopes to get out on her kayak soon.