Ben Carson

Benjamin Solomon Carson Sr. (born September 18, 1951) is a retired American neurosurgeon and politician who served as the 17th United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) from 2017 to 2021. Carson gained national recognition in the 2016 Republican primaries as a candidate for President of the United States. He is widely regarded as a pioneer in the field of neurosurgery.

Early career and medical achievements

In 1984, at the age of 33, Carson became the youngest chief of pediatric neurosurgery in the United States when he was appointed as the director of pediatric neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center. He also held professorships in neurosurgery, oncology, plastic surgery, and pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine until his retirement from medicine in 2013.

Carson's groundbreaking accomplishments include:

• Participating in the first reported separation of conjoined twins joined at the back of the head, which, despite being a surgical success, resulted in the twins suffering ongoing neurological complications.
• Performing the first successful neurosurgical procedure on a fetus inside the womb.
• Developing innovative methods to treat brain-stem tumors.
• Revitalizing hemispherectomy techniques for controlling seizures.
• Carson has written over 100 neurosurgical publications throughout his career.

Political career

Carson rose to national prominence among political conservatives following his 2013 National Prayer Breakfast speech, which was widely perceived as critical of President Barack Obama's policies. In May 2015, Carson officially announced his campaign for the 2016 Republican nomination for President. Despite a strong performance in early polls and being considered a frontrunner during the fall of 2015, Carson's support dwindled following scrutiny of his foreign policy credentials in the wake of the November 2015 Paris attacks.

Carson withdrew from the race after a series of disappointing Super Tuesday primary results and subsequently endorsed Donald Trump. Following Trump's election, Carson was nominated as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and confirmed by the United States Senate in a 58–41 vote on March 2, 2017.

As one of the most prominent black conservatives in America, Carson has received numerous honors for his work in neurosurgery, including over 60 honorary doctorate degrees and many national merit citations. In 2001, CNN and Time magazine named him one of the nation's 20 foremost physicians and scientists, and the Library of Congress selected him as one of 89 "Living Legends" on its 200th anniversary. Carson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States, in 2008, and was elected to the National Academy of Medicine in 2010.

Carson's life and achievements were the subject of the 2009 TV film Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story, in which he was portrayed by Cuba Gooding Jr.

Carson is also an accomplished author, having written or co-written six bestselling books, including:

• Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story (1990) - An autobiography detailing Carson's journey from a struggling student to a renowned neurosurgeon.
• Think Big: Unleashing Your Potential for Excellence (1992) - A motivational book that emphasizes the importance of education, hard work, and positive thinking.
• The Big Picture: Getting Perspective on What's Really Important in Life (2000) - A book that encourages readers to examine their priorities and values in order to live a more fulfilling life.
• Take the Risk: Learning to Identify, Choose, and Live with Acceptable Risk (2008) - A guide to making wise decisions and taking calculated risks in both personal and professional situations.
• America the Beautiful: Rediscovering What Made This Nation Great (2013) - A reflection on American history, values, and principles, as well as Carson's vision for the country's future.
• One Nation: What We Can All Do to Save America's Future (2014) - A call for unity and constructive dialogue in order to address the challenges facing the United States.

Carson has remained active in public life since retiring from medicine and politics. He is a sought-after speaker and commentator, sharing his insights on healthcare, education, and social issues. Additionally, Carson is involved in various philanthropic endeavors, such as the Carson Scholars Fund, a non-profit organization he co-founded with his wife, Candy Carson, in 1994. The fund provides scholarships to academically gifted students and promotes a culture of academic achievement in schools across the United States.

Throughout his career, Benjamin Carson has been an influential figure in both the medical and political spheres. His groundbreaking achievements in neurosurgery and his contributions to public life have left a lasting impact on the fields of medicine, politics, and education.

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