Ben Carraway

Benjamin Monroe Carraway (born September 25, 1909 in Birmingham; died January 20, 1999) was the chairman of Carraway Methodist Medical Center from 1957 until his death.

Ben was the son of Charles and Maggie Lou Carraway. He grew up in Norwood and attended Birmingham City Schools. He graduated from Birmingham-Southern College and completed his medical degree at the Louisiana State University, with further training in surgery at the University of Pennsylvania.

Carraway took over operation of his father's namesake hospital when Charles Carraway suffered a stroke in 1957. Under his leadership, the facility expanded from 256 to 617 beds and enhanced its operating rooms by creating the state's first true intensive care units. He also oversaw the establishment of the LifeSaver helicopter program and the founding of the Kemp-Carraway Heart Institute. In the mid 1970s Carraway approved the purchase of Bessemer's Memorial Hospital, which became known as Bessemer Carraway Medical Center.

Carraway was married to the former Edna Sercy. Their son, Robert, took over administration of the hospital.

Carraway died in 1999 and is buried at Elmwood Cemetery. Carraway was inducted into the Birmingham Gallery of Distinguished Citizens in 1980 and the Alabama Healthcare Hall of Fame in 1999

External link

• Ben Carraway at Findagrave.com