Dr. Ben Carson
For nearly 30 years, Dr. Carson served as Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, a position he assumed when he was just 33 years old, becoming the youngest major division director in the hospital’s history. In 1987, he successfully performed the first separation of craniopagus twins conjoined at the back of the head. He also performed the first fully successful separation of type-2 vertical craniopagus twins in 1997 in South Africa.
Dr. Carson most recently served as the 17th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. He received dozens of honors and awards in recognition of his achievements including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. He is also a recipient of the Spingarn Medal, the highest honor bestowed by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and has been awarded over 70 honorary doctorate degrees. The U.S. News Media Group and Harvard’s Center for Public Leadership named him among “America’s Best Leaders” in 2008.
Born in Detroit to a single mother with a 3rd grade education who worked multiple jobs to support their family, Dr. Carson was raised to love reading and education. He has authored many books, four of which he co-wrote with his wife Candy. His books include Gifted Hands, Created Equal, and Think Big: Unleashing Your Potential for Excellence. He has written two children’s books, Why America Matters and Red, White, and Blue: Our Flag Matters to Me and You, to teach kids about our important American values.
Dr. Carson graduated from Yale University and earned his M.D. from the University of Michigan Medical School. He and his wife are proud parents and grandparents.
Here is the treasure chest of the world – the public library, or a bookstore.
– Ben Carson
Plenary (Keynote)
Dr. Ben Carson is a keynote speaker at this year’s conference.