Becoming Dr. Q: My Journey from Migrant Farm Worker to Brain Surgeon
Release date: 2011 / 311
Synopsis (from the back cover): 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 nineteen-year-old undocumented migrant worker toiling in the tomato fields of central California…
First Sentence: Is this the neurosurgeon on call?
Review: Becoming Dr. Q is incredible in every sense of the word: a migrant worker born in Mexico jumps the border fence to support his family and eventually becomes one of the world’s leading neurosurgeons and neuroscientists. Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa’s story is a classic hero’s journey–from picking produce and moving irrigation lines, to shoveling sulfur and scraping fish lard, to graduating cum laude from Harvard Medical School and starting his own groundbreaking practice and lab.
Quinones-Hinojosa is remarkably humble and appreciative of the mentors, family members and friends who support him along his journey. He transforms his experiences into inspiring lessons: “No matter how different we are from one another–black, white, yellow, Jewish, Christian, rich, poor, educated or not–our brains are all the same, the same beautiful noble gray color, the same shape and size…. I love how every single person’s brain can dance just as magnificently as the next person’s.” His inclusion of case studies emphasizes the compassion that all truly great surgeons must possess. As a result, the reader feels honored to get to know so many of his patients.
Fortunately Quinones-Hinojosa’s long list of talents includes masterful narration. Each section of Becoming Dr. Q opens with one of three near-death experiences he has undergone during his remarkable life, then flashes back and leads the reader to the harrowing moment of survival. As a result, 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
Thank you to Shelf Awareness for allowing me to review this work!
Please enter me in the drawing. This book sounds amazing! Thanks for the great review.
This sounds like an amazing journey for this man. Thanks for the giveaway.
Wow! Another misperceived “loser” makes good in the USA.
I love such stories. Please enter me. Thanks.
This is some book. Sounds great.
Please enter me…
Sounds like a great book
Love anything medical & “rags to riches” stories. Hoping to win, Peg
As a nurse this sounds very interesting to me! As a book club member too!
Thanks, cmm
Please enter me. He had conquer amazing obstacles, that I am sure of. Please enter me in this giveaway.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
Sounds like a wonderful story! Thanks for the giveaway!
suzebomb(at)gmail.com
I would love to read this book.
I think this would be great from my book club. I hope I win this interesting-sounding book.
My very good friend lost her mother and lifelong friend to brain cancer and we host her annual fundraiser for the National Brain Tumor Society. We’d love to read this book!
I love anything medical!
I would love to read this book! Thanks for the great review.
I love to read inspiring stories like this and the memoir genre is one of my favorites. Really hoping to win this book!!!
Dr Q. seems to be a prime example of the rewards perseverance delivers, I would love to give my children the opportunity to read this book (as well as myself)
What a great story. Would love to read the whole book! Thanks for the great giveaways!
Count me in for this Giveaway! I would love to read this book! Thank you!
Just caught it on KERA public tv!!! Make me part of this giveaway. I am on it.