12 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BEN CARSON

12 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BEN CARSON

1. In 1987, Carson was the first surgeon to successfully separate twins conjoined at the head. He was also the first to successfully perform intrauterine surgery. And at the age of 33, Carson was appointed the director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital, becoming the youngest-ever head of a major division at a hospital.

2. He grew up in Detroit with a single mother.

 3. When he was 14, Carson blamed his violent temper when he tried to stab a classmate, but the boy was uninjured when his belt buckle blocked the knife.

4. He is a Seventh Day Adventist. He prayed before every surgery he performed.

5. Before retirement, Carson was reported to have performed over 300 surgeries a year, almost three times the average of any neurosurgeon.

6. Carson liked to listen to classical music while operating. He says it kept him calm.

7. Carson was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2002. He is currently in remission.

8. Carson has written six bestselling books, including his autobiography, "Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story," which inspired a film of the same name starring Cuba Gooding Jr.

9. In 2008, he was recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. It's the highest award given to a civilian. Carson was reportedly notified he was a recipient of the award while performing a seven-hour surgery.

10. He met his wife Candy while they were both students at Yale University. They have three children.

11. He co-founded the Benevolent Endowment Network (BEN) which funds the medical expenses of pediatric neurosurgery patients in need.

12. He rose to conservative prominence after his 2013 speech at the National Prayer Breakfast where he criticized President Obama's health care policies while the president sat only feet away.