Former Housing and Urban Development secretary and noted neurosurgeon Ben Carson has been named a national nutrition, health and housing adviser at the Agriculture Department.
USDA said Carson was sworn in Wednesday morning.
“There is no one more qualified than Dr. Carson to advise on policies that improve Americans’ everyday quality of life, from nutrition to healthcare quality to ensuring families have access to safe and stable housing,” Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins said.
“With six in ten Americans living with at least one chronic disease, and rural communities facing unique challenges with respect to adequate housing, Dr. Carson’s insight and experience is critical. Dr. Carson will be crucial to implementing the rural health investment provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill and advise on America First polices related to nutrition, health, and housing."
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“Today, too many Americans are suffering from the effects of poor nutrition," Carson said in a USDA news release. "Through common-sense policymaking, we have an opportunity to give our most vulnerable families the tools they need to flourish. I am honored to work with Secretary Rollins on these important initiatives to help fulfill President Trump’s vision for a healthier, stronger America.”
Carson, who is now retired, was director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Children's Center for nearly 30 years. He took the job at the age of 33, "becoming the youngest major division director in the hospital’s history," USDA's release said.
"In 1987, he gained fame for leading a team of surgeons in the first-known separation of conjoined twins joined at the back of the head," according to his Wikipedia page.
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