Dr. Carlson was born in Phoenix, Arizona. He is a graduate of Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana and Washington University School of Medicine. He completed his surgical training at Indiana University Medical Center in Indianapolis. He is certified by the American Board of Surgery and is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He has served as president of the Indiana Chapter of the American College of Surgeons. He enjoys water sports and cooking. He is a member of the United States Army Reserve Medical Corp and served in Iraq. Dr. Carlson joined Evansville Surgical Associates in 1977.