KAMLOOPS – Question: What do you call a doctor who graduated at the top of his class? Answer: Lucas Cockburn.

TRU grad and scholar-athlete Lucas Cockburn topped all fellow students at medical school, winning seven awards at his convocation from Queen’s University this past May.

After graduation from Kamloops Secondary School in 1998, KAMLOOPS – born Cockburn came to Thompson Rivers University on an entrance scholarship. An exemplary scholar and outstanding athlete who played basketball throughout his four years of university study, Cockburn was named Male Athlete of the Year three times before graduation in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science degree, also winning the Governor-General’s Silver Medal for achieving the highest marks of all degree graduates.

Entering medical school at Queen’s University in Kingston, On. the following year, Cockburn continued to garner awards as a top student, foreshadowing his amazing accomplishments in his final year.

His awards for academic achievement and medical proficiency included the Edgar Forrester Prize and Edgar Forrester Scholarship for achieving the highest standing in medicine in the final year, the Professor’s Prize in Surgery for achieving the highest standing in surgical subjects, the W.W. Near and Susan Near Prizes for the highest standing throughout the course, the Hannah Washburn Polson Prize for proficiency in the final year in medicine, surgery and obstetrics, and the Dr. Osler Briggs Dickinson Scholarship for outstanding performance in surgery.

Finally, Cockburn received the award for which his mother is most proud: the Pamela C. Williams Memorial Award for a graduating medical student who, in addition to good academic standing, demonstrates fellowship, compassion for patients, significant extracurricular achievement and community involvement.

Cockburn, who volunteered at Ponderosa Lodge and with Big Brothers & Sisters while at TRU, was involved with coaching basketball to youth through the Boys and Girls club while also keeping up with the arduous study schedule of a medical student at Queen’s.

He is currently completing a family practice residency at Toronto Western Hospital, after which he plans to do a year of emergency medicine training and begin work in ER and family practice. After that, for the first time in more than eight years, the young doctor’s options are open.

“I am not sure yet where I plan to go, but returning to BC is definitely an attractive option,” he said.