Thinking Big About Health Care

Downtown Business Breakfast

Ben Carson shares insights from his decades as a surgeon.

Celebrated neurosurgeon Benjamin Carson, M.D., will speak to business and community leaders about the issue of U.S. health care at the 14th annual Seattle Pacific University Downtown Business Breakfast on April 6, 2010. Following the invitation-only event at the Westin Seattle, he will give a free public lecture at 1 p.m. in Upper Gwinn Commons on SPU’s campus.

Since 1984, Carson has directed pediatric neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. In 1987, he led a team of 70 in the first successful separation of craniopagus conjoined twins (joined at the back of the head). Since then he has received international renown for his pioneering work in neurosurgery. In 2008, Carson received the highest civilian honor in the nation: the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Carson grew up in a single-parent home in a poor community in Detroit. Though his mother had only a third-grade education, she challenged him to pursue his childhood dream of becoming a doctor.

Carson is the author of four books, and the 2009 movie Gifted Hands, starring Cuba Gooding Jr., is based on Carson’s life. He is also president and co-founder of the Carson Scholars Fund, which recognizes young people of all backgrounds for exceptional humanitarian and academic accomplishments, and has awarded nearly $4 million to more than 3,900 scholars. A highly regarded speaker, he has addressed audiences from grade school students to senators and representatives at the National Prayer Breakfast.

Carson joins a distinguished list of SPU Downtown Business Breakfast speakers that includes David McCullough, David Brooks, George Mitchell, and Carly Fiorina.