Associate Professor Luke Lancaster, MD, who passed away on May 23, 2026.
Dr. Luke Lancaster
It’s with great sadness that the University of Virginia’s Department of Medical Imaging announces the passing of Associate Professor Luke Lancaster, MD, who died unexpectedly on the night of Saturday, May 23, 2026.
Dr. Lancaster was a beloved member of the department for many years. He graduated from UVA’s Diagnostic Radiology Residency in 1994 and UVA’s Nuclear Radiology Fellowship in 1999. In 2012 he completed further specialized training in pediatric imaging at UVA and joined the department’s faculty, where he has served as a critical faculty member across multiple divisions including body imaging, nuclear medicine, and pediatric imaging.
Dr. Lancaster was an exemplar of UVA Radiology’s missions and values. Department members will remember him as an excellent radiologist, a passionate teacher, and a selfless, good-hearted person. The department’s Charles J. Tegtmeyer, MD, Clinical Service Award, which is voted on annually by the residents, honors a faculty member who provides the highest clinical service. Over the past decade, Dr. Lancaster was presented with this award not just once, but three times — a testament to the consistent impact he had across many years of resident classes.
“Luke was a wonderful faculty colleague and an incredible doctor, educator, and person,” said Professor Cree Gaskin, MD, interim chair of the department of radiology and medical imaging. “He was humble, kind, and very hard-working; always serving where his help was most needed.”
“Dr. Lancaster is the strongest physician role model to me in the entire department,” wrote a trainee in an anonymous evaluation. “While he is an attending, he is respectful and never imposing or dominating. While he is wicked smart, he is never belittling. While disagreeing, he teaches and is genuinely interested in your education and learning. He is a good man, mentor, human, and certainly a good radiologist. I couldn’t have any more respect for anyone in our department and I truly hope one day I can be the radiologist that Dr. Lancaster is. He has made a difference in my life. This residency and department is better because he is part of it.”
Share Your Stories
To celebrate Dr. Lancaster’s impact, the department is collecting written stories and photos from those who knew him in life. Please share your memories and messages through this linked form.
Dr. Lancaster with a pediatric patient.
Dr. Lancaster leading a teaching session to trainees in the Nuclear Imaging reading room.
One of the funniest, nicest physicians I have ever had the pleasure to work with. He always appreciated the work the nurses did and never hesitated to tell someone when they did a good job. He was amazing with his patients and had a knack for explaining complex medical conditions to patients in an easy way they could understand. The world has lost an incredible man!
Always went above and beyond. Great dedication to patient care. He will be greatly missed!!