People, Locations, Episodes

Ben Carson, Surgeon, and Administrator born

Ben Carson

*Benjamin Carson was born on this date in 1951.  He is a retired Black neurosurgeon and former government administrator.

Benjamin Solomon Carson Sr., from Detroit, Michigan, grew up in a low-income neighborhood and struggled with poor grades and a violent temper partially because of those conditions.  His family was there for him, and the love and understanding of his mother were instrumental in his life accomplishments.  She only had a third-grade education but challenged him to strive for excellence. Carson eventually emerged from the bottom to the top of his class.  He earned academic scholarships to college and medical school.

In 1973, Carson received his B.A. from Yale University, his M.D. from the University of Michigan School of Medicine in 1977, and his General Surgery internship at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, from 1978 to 1982.  Carson was director of pediatric neurosurgery at The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions in Baltimore, Maryland.  He is globally known for leading a medical team that separated West German conjoined twins in 1987 and leading a team of South African doctors in the first successful separation of vertically conjoined twins in 1997.

He refined hemispherectomy and radical brain surgery techniques to stop intractable seizures. He developed a craniofacial program with the Hopkins Plastic Surgery Division to help children who need combined neurosurgical and plastic surgical reconstruction. Dr. Carson holds many honors and awards, including over 20 honorary doctorate degrees. He is a member of the Kellogg Company's board of directors, honored by the Horatio Alger Society, and a fellow of the Yale Corporation, the governing body of Yale University.

Carson’s story is told in his first book, Gifted Hands. He has also written Think Big and The Big Picture. His writing offers his perspective on priorities, race, society, success, and living out a life of faith in a complex and competitive world. He travels the world to share his knowledge and philosophy, inspiring people of all ages and educational backgrounds to be and do their best!  Carson has attempted to dedicate his life (through example) to inspiring others to excel using their aptitude and talents. He is married to Candy and has three children: Murray, Benjamin Jr., and Rhoeyce.

In 2015, Carson confirmed his candidacy for President in an interview with a local television station in Cincinnati, Ohio. He officially announced he was running for the Republican nomination in the 2016 Presidential election at a rally in Detroit, his hometown, on May 4, 2015.  He recently led HUD, the Housing and Urban Development Department under President Donald Trump.

To Become a Surgeon