BENJAMIN S. CARSON, SR., M.D., is world famous for his surgeries separating Siamese twins, but is interested in all aspects of pediatric neurosurgery. He is a full professor of neurosurgery, oncology, plastic surgery, and pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, where he has directed pediatric neurosurgery for nearly a quarter of a century. Dr. Carson holds more than 40 honorary doctorate degrees, and has most recently been presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian award, in a White House ceremony. A highly regarded motivational speaker, Dr. Carson is the author of four books, the most recent published in 2008, “Take the Risk: Learning to Identify, Choose, and Live with Acceptable Risk.” In addition, he serves as president and co-founder of the Carson Scholars Fund, which recognizes young people for exceptional academic and humanitarian accomplishments. Dr. Carson is the inaugural recipient of the Benjamin S. Carson, Sr., M.D. and Dr. Evelyn Spiro, R.N. Professorship in Pediatric Neurosurgery. (Pictured, left to right, Dr. Henry Brem, Dr. William Brody, Dr. Ernest Bates, Dr. Benjamin Carson, Mr. Donald Spiro, and Dr. Edward Miller.)   EVELYN SPIRO (pictured) received her degree in nursing from Wagner College, and at one time was the youngest operating room supervisor in the Staten Island University Hospital. She later received an honorary doctoral degree from Wagner. DONALD SPIRO, also a Wagner alumnus, rose to the presidency of the Oppenheimer Fund, and became chairman emeritus of the Oppenheimer Management Corporation. The couple is a major supporter of their college. At Hopkins, they have created summer internships, enabling Wagner students to work side by side with Hopkins faculty and staff in their areas of interest. In helping establish this professorship, the Spiros continue their generous support of quality education and commitment to excellence.   ERNEST A. BATES, M.D. (A&S 1958), the first African American to graduate from the Johns Hopkins University Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, is emeritus vice chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Johns Hopkins University. He also is on the advisory boards of Johns Hopkins Neurosurgery and the Bloomberg School of Public Health. He founded American Shared Hospital Services in 1977 and today is its chairman and CEO, with corporate offices in San Francisco.