Oct. 29, 2010
Contact:
Elizabeth Klipp, 404-413-1356
University Relations
ATLANTA – Renowned pediatric neurosurgeon Benjamin S. Carson will speak at Georgia State University on Nov. 1 about his inspirational life story, career highlights and motivational philosophies for today’s youth.
Dr. Carson’s lecture, based on his book “Gifted Hands,” will be held at 3 p.m. on Nov. 1 in Georgia State’s Student Center Ballroom, located at 30 Courtland St. Part of the university’s Distinguished Speaker Series, Dr. Carson’s talk is free and open to the public. No tickets are required.
“We selected Dr. Carson because of his incredible story of struggling as troubled youth with seemingly insurmountable odds, which he overcame to become one of the most talented pediatric neurosurgeons in the world,” said Cara Dawn Jones, GSU campus events advisor of the speaker series. “We hope his story will inspire our students to reach for their dreams despite challenges they may face.”
Growing up in poverty and with difficulty in school, Dr. Carson was able to overcome the odds thanks to his mother’s encouragement and reach his childhood dream of being a physician. He earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Yale University and his medical degree from University of Michigan.
Dr. Carson was appointed the head of pediatric neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins Hospital when he was 33 years old, becoming the youngest physician to ever head a major division at the center. Dr. Carson also is a professor of neurosurgery, plastic surgery, oncology and pediatrics at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
An advocate of education and an award-winning author, Dr. Carson has published numerous neuroscience publications and four books, “Gifted Hands,” “THINK BIG,” “The Big Picture,” and “Take The Risk: Learning to Identify, Choose, and Live With Acceptable Risk.”
In 1987, Dr. Carson received fame when he became the first neurosurgeon to successfully separate conjoined twins joined at the back of the head. At Johns Hopkins Children's Center, Dr. Carson operates on more than 350 children each year, trying to correct nerve and brain disorders, from tumors to seizures.
Dr. Carson has received hundreds of other awards and recognitions during his distinguished career.
In June 2008, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by former U.S. President George Bush, which is the highest civilian honor in the land. He was appointed in 2004 by President Bush to serve on the President’s Council on Bioethics.
In addition to his surgical career, Dr. Carson is president and co-founder of the Carson Scholars Fund, which recognizes young people of all backgrounds for exceptional academic and humanitarian accomplishments. The fund is currently operating in 34 states and the District of Columbia, having awarded more than $3.9 million dollars to more than 3900 scholars. Dr. Carson has been married more than 30 years to his wife, Candy, and has three sons.
Dr. Carson will be signing copies of his book, “Gifted Hands.” For more information, visit http://www2.gsu.edu/~wwwces.