Dr. Ben Carson visits Widener University. WOW!

Dr. Ben Carson was casual and laid back speaking at Widener. 

Who said the older crowd doesn't recognize him? 

Ben Hamilton, a 10th grader from Philly's Central High School
got his copy of 'Gifted Hands' signed 

Bryn Mawr Middle School brought 21 students to hear Dr. Carson.
(Sorry, I couldn't get all of you in the photo)

Chester High grad, and Widener Pre-Med student
Tyrone Sturdivant, was thrilled to meet his idol 

World renowned pediatric neurosurgeon, Dr. Ben Carson, graced Widener University with his brilliance this afternoon, speaking to a small room full of admirers, students, and curious onlookers. 

For those that don’t know, his claim to fame is having completed the first and only successful separation of Siamese twins joined at the back of the head in 1987, the first completely successful separation of type-2 vertical craniopagus twins in 1997, and the first successful placement of an intrauterine shunt for a hydrocephalic twin.

That last surgery mentioned above was totally over my head, but Dr. Carson explained that it involved a set of twins, where the head of one was growing so large that it threatened its life, the life of the other twin, and the mother. He placed the shunt in the head while the baby was still in the womb. Wow!

Dr. Carson spoke of the joys and challenges of college life, and how important it is to recognize your passions and pursue them. He spoke of how he struggled his freshman year, but soon realized he learned best from reading, and least from lectures, and that discovery made his college days much easier.

He encouraged everyone to always encourage others. He shared how he was discouraged from pursuing his dream by counselors, yet overcame the negative because his passion was so strong. 

Although, he’s best known for being the first and only surgeon to have separated Siamese twins, he said that his earlier two ‘first’ added to his legend as the press soon discovered that he had accomplished three one-of-a-kind brain surgeries. He thought his fame would last five years, but his fame continued to grow. With a book and Hollywood movie telling the story, his accomplishments will endure forever.

In our chat after the lecture, Dr. Carson told me that these days, he is more recognized by younger people than older. Because of the book and movie, the younger students find him fascinating, where the older folks don’t recognize him so much.

This evening, he’ll be speaking before a sellout crowd of nearly 5000 people at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, so there are obviously some adults who recognize him.

I was personally surprised not to see any Chester school students, teachers, administrators, politicians, pastors, medical professionals, etc. Dan Hanson, Public Relations Director for Widener, told me they would have tried to accommodate as many people who would have requested to attend, but he also seemed relieved that a small room in the University Center was all they needed to stage Dr. Carson.

I’ve been around a number of important folks, and being in the room with Dr. Carson ranks among to very top of them all. 

I’m looking forward to reading what Ms. Jessica will write in the Chester Spirit on this story. She was just as excited as I was. 


p.s. I captured Dr. Carson's entire presentation on video. If there is interest, I will make it available.