Benjamin S. Carson Sr., M.D.

Council Member

Benjamin Solomon Carson Sr. is the Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, a position he has held since 1984. He is a professor of neurosurgery, oncology, plastic surgery, and pediatrics.

In 1987, he gained world-wide recognition as the principal surgeon in the 22-hour separation of the Binder Siamese twins from Germany. This was the first time occipital craniopagus twins had been separated with both surviving. In 1997, Dr. Carson was the primary surgeon in the team of South African and Zambian surgeons who separated type-2 vertical craniopagus twins (joined at the top of the head) in a 28-hour operation. It represents the first time such complexly joined Siamese twins have been separated with both remaining neurologically normal.

He is noted for his use of cerebral hemispherectomy to control intractable seizures as well as for his work in craniofacial reconstructive surgery, achondroplasia (human dwarfism), and pediatric neuro-oncology (brain tumors).

Dr. Carson is a recipient of numerous honors and awards including more than 20 honorary doctorate degrees. He is a member of the American Academy of Achievement, the Horatio Alger Society of Distinguished Americans, the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, and many other prestigious organizations. He sits on many boards including the Board of Directors of Kellogg Company, Costco Wholesale Corporation, Yale Corporation (the governing body of Yale University), and America's Promise.

He is the president and co-founder of the Carson Scholars Fund which recognizes young people of all backgrounds for exceptional academic and humanitarian accomplishments.

He is the author of Gifted Hands, THINK BIG, and The Big Picture.

Dr. Carson has been married to Candy Carson for twenty-five years and has three sons.

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