In 1984, Ben Carson became the youngest chief of pediatric neurosurgery in the United States, assuming the role at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center at age 33. This appointment marked the beginning of a medical career defined by pioneering surgical interventions, including the first successful separation of conjoined twins joined at the back of the head in 1987.
Surgical Innovations
Carson held positions as a professor of neurosurgery, oncology, plastic surgery, and pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine until his retirement in 2013. His clinical contributions included the development of new methods for treating brain-stem tumors and the revitalization of hemispherectomy techniques for seizure control. He performed the first successful neurosurgical procedure on a fetus inside the womb and authored more than 100 neurosurgical publications during his tenure.
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Born in Detroit in 1951, Carson attended Southwestern High School, where he achieved high academic standing and served as a cadet colonel in the JROTC. He pursued further education at Yale University and the University of Michigan, eventually obtaining a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Michigan Medical School. His early interests encompassed both psychology and medicine, influenced by his formative years in Detroit and his time in Boston.
Political Career and Public Service
Carson gained national political prominence following a 2013 speech at the National Prayer Breakfast. He launched a campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination, eventually endorsing Donald Trump. On March 2, 2017, the United States Senate confirmed his appointment as the 17th United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development by a 58–41 vote. He served in this capacity until 2021.
Professional Honors
Throughout his career, Carson received extensive recognition for his contributions to medicine and public life. In 2008, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States. He was named a Library of Congress Living Legend in 2000, received the Spingarn Medal in 2006, and was elected to the National Academy of Medicine in 2010. Additionally, he held numerous honorary degrees, including a 2004 designation from Spelman College.
Fast facts
- Born: 1951, Detroit
- Citizenship: United States
- Alma Mater: Yale University, University of Michigan
- Major Medical Role: Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins Children's Center
- Government Position: Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (2017–2021)
- Highest Civilian Honor: Presidential Medal of Freedom (2008)
- Professional Affiliations: Johns Hopkins University, The Washington Times
Questions readers ask
What medical procedures is Ben Carson known for?
He is recognized for the first successful separation of conjoined twins joined at the back of the head and performing the first neurosurgical procedure on a fetus.
Did Ben Carson hold a cabinet position?
Yes, he served as the 17th United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development from 2017 to 2021.
Achievements
- Presidential Medal of Freedom — 2008
- Affiliated with Johns Hopkins University, The Washington Times and Johns Hopkins Hospital
- Educated at University of Michigan, Yale University and University of Michigan Medical School
- Worked as psychologist, neurosurgeon and politician
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