Ben was born and grew up in Kansas.  He did his undergraduate studies at the University of Kansas receiving degrees in human biology and psychology.  He is a member of Heart to Heart International where he has worked as a medical mission leader and ran a free clinic in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and in North Dakota in 2009 after serious flooding in that region.  Ben was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society, recognizing third year medical students who display outstanding humanistic and professional behaviors, and to AOA.  Ben was a varsity swimmer in college, enjoys fishing, playing basketball or football, tailgating and anything involving Kansas basketball. Go Jayhawks!!!