New brain and spine hospital named in appreciation of grateful patient donation

Ascension St. Vincent in Indianapolis is excited to share its new brain and spine hospital will be named Lucas Family Brain and Spine Hospital at Ascension St. Vincent. The new name is in appreciation of a transformative donation made by the family and recognizes their generous contribution and enduring partnership with Ascension St. Vincent.

"Our family has experienced firsthand the extraordinary care and compassion that Ascension St. Vincent provides," said Katie Lucas, President of Lucas Oil and Board Chair of the Ascension St. Vincent Foundation. "We are honored to have our name associated with a facility that will transform brain and spine care in Indiana. This partnership reflects our commitment to supporting groundbreaking advancements that will have a lasting impact on our community."

Katie and Morgan Lucas and the Lucas Family have been dedicated supporters of Peyton Manning Children's Hospital and Ascension St. Vincent since 2008, when they began hosting the Lucas Oil Eric Medlen Memorial Golf Tournament, raising over $1.8 million in memory of their late friend, Eric Medlen. Their connection to the hospital is deeply personal, as both of their sons, Hunter and Austin, were born there and have received exceptional care.

In 2013, newborn Hunter was hospitalized with RSV, and the compassionate care he received left a lasting impact on the family. A decade later, in 2023, Hunter underwent successful surgery for a large arachnoid cyst under the skilled hands of pediatric neurosurgeon, Dr. Jodi Smith, deepening the Lucas family's gratitude for the hospital's holistic approach to healing—caring for body, mind, and spirit.

Additionally, Morgan's mother, Charlotte Lucas, has received lifesaving care on two separate occasions—first after a stroke in 2018, and again following a traumatic brain injury in 2024.

Katie has served on the Ascension St. Vincent Foundation Board of Directors since 2017 and is currently the board chair. She’s committed to ensuring other families receive the same quality, faith-based care. The Lucas family's philanthropy over the years has significantly advanced patient care, including support for projects like developing a pediatric MRI suite, enhancing the classroom for the Peyton Manning Children's Hospital school teacher, supporting Dr. Smith's pediatric neurology research, and more. Through their efforts, they have left a lasting impact on the lives of countless families.

The new 109,000-square-foot hospital will feature 38 ICU rooms designed for the most advanced brain and spine patient care. It will include eight operating suites, and two interventional neuroradiology labs. These labs will offer advanced endovascular diagnostic and treatment capabilities to treat a wide range of neurological conditions such as stroke, brain aneurysm and other neurovascular conditions. Along with these clinical features, access to the main hospital and the entire 86th Street Campus complements Ascension St. Vincent's existing Level 1 trauma designation, making the campus a hub for advanced cranial and spine care in Indiana.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Lucas family for their vision and generosity,” said Kevin Speer, JD, Senior Vice President, Ascension and Chief Executive Officer, Ascension St. Vincent Indiana. “Their support will enable us to deliver the highest level of brain and spine care, ensuring that patients in our community and beyond have access to world-class medical services.”

Ascension St. Vincent broke ground on the hospital in November 2022, and it is scheduled to open in the summer of 2025. The facility is part of a $325 million expansion of the 86th Street Campus, which includes the new Ascension St. Vincent Women and Infants Hospital, which officially opened in mid-January.

Our team of brain and spine specialists will create a care plan that's right for you all in one location. Find a doctor at ascension.org/StVincentBrainAndSpine.