Ben Carson

Black History Month

By Brandon Cool
The Best Pediatric Neurosurgeon in the
World.

Basic Info
Date of Birth: September 17th, 1951
Parents: Sonya and Robert Carson
Spouse: Candy Carson
Children: Rhoeyce, B.J., and Murray Carson

Childhood
Mother third grade dropout
Influenced to study hard and read
o
o
o

one written report a week

two books read per week
limited time of television

Influenced to follow dreams

o

In medical field

Childhood Conflict
Terrible Anger Issues
attempted to hit mother with hammer
o

didnt like choice of clothes

Almost cut a kid with a knife

o
o

broke on his belt buckle

arguing over radio station

Asked God to forgive him

o

read his Bible

Young Adulthood
Graduated with honors at Southwestern
High School
Got accepted into Yale University
o

bachelors degree in psychology

Changed major to neurosurgeon

o

at Michigan University School of Medicine

Became a resident at John Hopkins Hospital

o

Became chief neurosurgeon in 1982

Binder Twins
Conjoined twins at head
o

Craniopagus

Visited in Germany to consult with family.

Teamed up with 70 doctors, nurses, and
support staff.
Attempted surgery by stopping blood flow.
o
o

stopped heart (hypothermic arrest)

only had 1 hour

ended in success
o

first of its time to be successful

Additional Craniopagus Treatments

Unsuccessful attempt of surgery
o

Makwaeba twins of 1994

Third attempt of surgery, Luka and Joseph

o
o

joined at top of head

successful after 28 hours

Gained media attention

o

Began traveling to multiple schools, businesses, and

hospitals.

Started Carson Scholars Fund (1995)

Late Life
2002- diagnosed with prostate cancer
o

became his own patient, survived

Wrote Several Books

o
o
o
o
o
o

Gifted Hands (1996)

The Big Picture (2000)
Think Big (2006)
Take the Risk (2009)
America the Beautiful (2013)
What We All Can Do to Save Americas Future (2013)

Awards and Recognitions

received over 50 honorary degrees
Member of Alpha Honor Medical Society
CNNs Top 20 Foremost Physicians and Scientists
Spingarn Medal (2006)
Fords Theatre Lincoln Medal
Presidential Medal of Freedom
Movie: Gifted Hands Life portrayed by Cuba
Cummings

Ben Carson Video

Primary
Source:
An interview
concerning
the early life
of Ben.
Carson.

Bibliography
"Ben Carson." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 17 September 2014. Web. 18 Sept. 2014. <
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Carson>.
"Ben Carson Biography." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2014. <
http://www.biography.com/people/ben-carson-475422#anger-issues>.
"Benjamin Solomon Carson, Sr., M.D.."Benjamin Solomon Carson, Sr., M.D.. N.p., n.d. Web. 18
Sept. 2014. <
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/stlm/cars
Gifted hands. Dir. Cuba Gooding. Perf. Cuba Cummings Jr. . Sony Pictures Home Entertainme
nt, 2009. DVD.
"Gifted Hands - Doctor Ben Carson Documentary." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 26 Sept. 2
014. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmgeERw3erQ>.