Providers
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!!
Email: Jeannie.Lucas@LucasResearch.org
Dr. Jeff Hainsworth, DO, ABIM Board Certified in Internal Medicine
Dr. Jeff Hainsworth recently joined the Lucas Research O’Hana as one of our full-time medical and study providers. He attended Medical School at Western University from 2008-2012 and completed his residency at Loma Linda University from 2012-2015. Dr. Hainsworth is a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and has spent the last four years practicing in the Kaiser system in Hawaii. For someone who loves the ocean and surfing as much as he does, Dr. Hainsworth’s transition from Hawaii to Morehead City, NC was an easy one. When he is not at the beach, you can find him playing his guitar or hanging outside with his dog, Billie. His fun-loving attitude and intentional approach to helping his patients makes him a stand out provider.
Email: Jeff.Hainsworth@LucasResearch.org
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!
Email: Justin.Smith@LucasResearch.org
Paul Becton, PA-C
Paul is a Raleigh native who graduated from North Carolina State University in 2010. Shortly after, he attended Campbell University where he obtained his Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant Practice. Paul grew up coming to Morehead City, and knew it was meant to be when he joined the Lucas O’hana. As one of the medical providers at Lucas Research, his inherent capability to care for others has never gone unnoticed. Paul’s ability to be emphatic allows him to be intentional with his patients and an exceptional listener. His capacity for hard work makes him someone his team members look up to. Outside of work, Paul spends time fishing, hunting and hanging out with his two dogs that he loves very much. In the office, you can normally find Paul on the second floor, sporting a fashion-forward khaki pants and button down combo, complete with a clean-cut beard and kempt head of long hair.