Ben Carson, MD, an internationally recognized neurosurgeon, told Charlotte business leaders that it's always good to dream big. "A big dream," he said, "may be the only thing that pushes you forward when things get difficult."

Dr. Carson was in town September 10 and 11 for a series of public appearances that included a reception and tour at Levine Children's Hospital on the 10^th for employees, donors, patient families and volunteers. LCH co-sponsored his visit, which included a presentation on the 11^th to the Hood-Hargett Breakfast Club, a business networking group that brings a nationally known speaker to Charlotte each month.

Carson, who grew up in an impoverished single-parent home in inner-city Detroit, said he was fascinated with medicine from the time he first "saw a doctor with a shiny stethoscope around his neck." He persevered despite difficult living circumstances and eventually won a scholarship to Yale University. Today he is a full professor of neurosurgery, oncology, plastic surgery and pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

His career highlights include the first separation of craniopagus (Siamese) twins joined at the back of the head, in 1987. Since that time he has traveled throughout the world to participate in surgeries that involve an extraordinary level of difficulty.

Carson's message for medical personnel was never to give up, even if early explorations for new treatments or new therapies lead to failure. "Organ transplants were notoriously unsuccessful in their pioneering stages," he said, "but look at how many types of transplant procedures have now become almost commonplace."

Carson also challenged listeners to use their intellectual talents "to help elevate other people and think about others first."

Carson's remarks were preceded by comments from Sherry James, an LCH nurse whose son has received extensive treatments and surgeries at the Levine Children's Hospital. "We could have taken him anywhere in the country," she said about her son Richard, "but we felt the best heart surgeons in the world were right here in Charlotte." She said that supportive, family-centered care at LCH has made a huge difference for her family.

Carson recently won the Medal of Freedom from President Obama and holds more than 50 honorary doctorates.