Press Release

May 18, 2006
Contact: Tom Capezzuto
Phone: (973) 972-3000
capezzta@umdnj.edu

Dr. Benjamin S. Carson, Sr., Famed Pediatric Neurosurgeon at
Johns Hopkins, To Speak on May 22 at Convocation of UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School

NEWARK—When Benjamin S. Carson, Sr. was a child growing up amid dire poverty on the hardened streets of Detroit, poor grades and a horrible temper were his most distinguished traits. Nonetheless, he dreamed of someday becoming a physician.

Largely through his mother's encouragement, his own perseverance, and a set of gifted hands, he surfaced as more than a doctor. Today, Dr. Carson is director of the Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery and a professor of neurosurgery, oncology, plastic surgery, and pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Carson’s career achievements as a neurosurgeon include the first separation of Siamese twins conjoined at the back of the head at birth in 1987 and successful separation of type-2 vertical Siamese twins at birth in 1997 in South Africa.

Dr. Carson will relate his story of inspiration to 162 graduates of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey -New Jersey Medical School at its convocation on Monday, May 22, at 10 a.m. at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, 1 Center St., Newark. The title of Dr. Carson's speech is Hippocrates versus Hypocrisies.

Dr. Carson, who holds more than 40 honorary doctorate degrees, has extended his skills beyond complex neurosurgical cases. His special interests involve craniofacial reconstructive surgery, neuro-oncology (brain tumors), skeletal dysplasia, seizure surgery, and trigeminal neuralgia, an adult condition.

Dr. Carson is a member of the American Academy of Achievement, the Horatio Alger Society of Distinguished Americans. He sits on the board of directors of numerous organizations, and was appointed in 2004 by President George W. Bush to serve on the Presidents Council on Bioethics. In 2001, he was named by CNN and Time Magazine, as one of the nations 20 foremost physicians and scientists. That same year, he was selected by the Library of Congress as one of 89 Living Legends on its 200th anniversary.

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 currently is operating in 10 states. He also is co-founder Angels of the OR, which provides grants to assist families with non-covered medical care expenses involving both adult and pediatric neurosurgery.

His three books, Gifted Hands, THINK BIG and The Big Picture provide readers with inspiration and insight for leading a successful life.

For more information on the ceremony, please call Tom Capezzuto at (973) 972-3000.