Featuring Keynote Speaker Dr. Benjamin Carson, 
Professor of Neurosurgery, Oncology, Plastic Surgery and Pediatrics
Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery
Co-Director of The Johns Hopkins Craniofacial Center
Author of America the Beautiful, Gifted Hands, Think Big, The Big Picture, and Take the Risk

Dr. Carson had a childhood dream of becoming a physician.  He grew up in a single parent home and was challenged by dire poverty, poor grades, a horrible temper, and low self-esteem. Although his mother held only a third-grade education, she challenged her sons to strive for excellence. Young Ben persevered, and today is a full professor of neurosurgery, oncology, plastic surgery, and pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, where he has directed pediatric neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center for over a quarter of a century.  He became the inaugural recipient of a professorship dedicated in his name in May, 2008 and is now the Benjamin S. Carson, Sr., M.D. and Dr. Evelyn Spiro, R.N. Professor of Pediatric Neurosurgery.   

Dr. Carson holds more than 60 honorary doctorate degrees and has received literally  hundreds of awards and citations. He was appointed in 2004 by President George W. Bush to serve on the President’s Council on Bioethics.  He is also the recipient of the 2006 Spingarn Medal which is the highest honor bestowed by the NAACP.  In February, 2008, Dr.  Carson was presented with the Ford’s Theatre Lincoln Medal by President Bush at the White House.  In June, 2008, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by the President, which is the highest civilian honor in the land.  Dr. Carson was recognized in November, 2008 by U.S. News & World Report and Harvard’s Center for Public Leadership, as one of “America’s Best Leaders.”

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 45 states and the District of Columbia, having awarded more than $ 4.5 million dollars to more than 4500 scholars.  The program also establishes Carson Reading Rooms to encourage young students and their families to discover the pleasure to be found in books and to recognize the true power of learning.  Dr. Carson is also the co-founder of Angels of the OR under the auspices of the Baltimore Community Foundation, which provides grant to assist neurosurgery patients with expenses not covered by insurance.