Description
Book SynopsisThe inspiring story of a young Mexican immigrant who became a renowned neurosurgeon.
Today he is known as Dr. Q, an internationally renowned neurosurgeon and neuroscientist who leads cutting-edge research to cure brain cancer. But not too long ago, he was Freddy, a 19-year-old undocumented migrant worker toiling in the tomato fields of Central California.
In this gripping memoir, Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa tells his amazing life story - from his impoverished childhood in the tiny village of Palaco, Mexico, to his harrowing border crossing and his transformation from undocumented immigrant to American citizen and gifted student at the University of California at Berkeley and at Harvard Medical School.
Packed with adventure and adversity - including a few terrifying brushes with death - Becoming Dr. Q is a testament to persistence, hard work, the power of hope and imagination, and the pursuit of excellence. It's also a story about the importance of family, of mentors, and of giving people a chance.
Trade Review"Here's a Hollywood pitch for you: Leading U.S. neurosurgeon started life as a struggling Mexican boy who made it from illegal-immigrant California farmworker to Harvard Med. Not buying it? You should. Dr. Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa was that kid and is that man -- associate prof, surgeon and head of the brain tumor stem cell lab at Johns Hopkins. His work puts him, passionately, on the cutting-edge of brain cancer research, and his life wedges him, reluctantly, into the immigration quarrel. He tells his story -- his traumas and triumphs, and his patients' -- in an autobiography." ―
Los Angeles Times "Alfredo Quiñones, esteemed neurosurgeon and neuroscientist at Johns Hopkins University . . . . tells the amazing story of how he rose from an impoverished background as a migrant worker to become one of the most renowned physicians in his field." ―
Huffington Post “A passionate hymn to the power of the American Dream.” ―
Kirkus Reviews “
Becoming Dr. Q is incredible in every sense of the word. . . . Quinones-Hinojosa's long list of talents includes masterful narration. . . . This memoir is fast-paced and nearly impossible to put down. At the end, Dr. Q feels like a friend--and the only surgeon anyone would want operating on his or her brain.” ―
Shelf Awareness “ Gripping, inspiring, and just plain awesome.” ―
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