President-elect Donald Trump called on Ben Carson, MD, to join his cabinet, despite the retired neurosurgeon's initial hesitation, according to Los Angeles Times.
Here are six things to know:
1. President-elect Trump selected Dr. Carson to head the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
2. In a statement, President-elect Trump praised Dr. Carson's "brilliant mind" and noted he is "passionate about strengthening communities and families within those communities," as reported in the Los Angeles Times.
3. Dr. Carson has reportedly discussed President-elect Trump's urban renewal agenda, with a focus on economic revival, "very much including our inner cities," according to President-elect Trump's statement reported by the Los Angeles Times.
4. Although initially saying he didn't possess the necessary experience to head a federal agency, Dr. Carson opened up to the possibility as President-elect Trump encouraged the appointment.
5. A former Republican presidential candidate, Dr. Carson dropped out on March 4, 2016, due to poor results on Super Tuesday.
6. He served as director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore until his retirement in 2013.