For Immediate Release
9/17/09
Distinguished Delta College Alumnus, Dr. Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa, will receive the California Community College Distinguished Alumni Award for 2009
(Stockton, CA)
San Joaquin Delta College is proud to announce that distinguished alumni, Dr. Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa, a noted professor of Neurological Surgery and Oncology at Johns Hopkins University, will be one of those receiving the prestigious California Community College Distinguished Alumni Award for 2009.
Nominated by Delta College Superintendent/President, Dr. Raúl Rodriguez, Dr. Quinones-Hinojosa will be presented with his award at the Community College League of California’s annual convention, at the Hyatt Regency SFO in Burlingame, Nov. 18-20
“The pride of Delta College is our students,” says Dr. Rodriguez. “Dr. Quinones-Hinojosa is a shining example of how a community college education can help students realize their dreams. Delta College is honored to have Dr. Quinones-Hinojosa as an alumnus and congratulate him on this esteemed award.”
Dr. Alfred Quinones-Hinojosa Bio:
Like many immigrants, Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa came to America with little more than a dream. His journey from field worker, with $65 dollars in his pocket, and living out of a broken down camper, to pioneering brain surgeon, medical researcher and even television personality is nothing short of remarkable.
A challenge was set forth. “My cousin said I would be a farm worker the rest of my life, that I’d never escape the life of poverty,” says Dr. Quinones-Hinojosa. “I was determined to prove him wrong.”
His educational voyage in the United States began at San Joaquin Delta College in 1988. It was here that Alfredo began pursuing his dream of a better life. He took jobs as a janitor and welder that allowed him to attend Delta. As a young man of 19, speaking only Spanish, he signed up for his first night school class. At first, his goal was to learn English; but Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa wanted more. He quickly moved beyond basic skills coursework into classes needed for transfer to four year schools. Delta’s staff realized Alfredo’s potential and urged him onward.
In 1991, his dream took him from Delta College to the University of California at Berkeley. A gifted student, encouragement and support from many educators along the way made Alfredo realize that his academic ambitions were within his reach. Alfredo graduated from Berkeley in 1994 with highest honors, attaining a Bachelors degree in Psychology. His education far from complete, Alfredo pushed forward. Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa was on his way to becoming a medical doctor.
Next stop: Harvard University. Initially, Alfredo wanted to become a primary care physician. Instead, he “followed his heart” and set his sights on one of the most demanding fields in medicine; neurosurgery. Long hours of study and hard work ensued. It was during this challenging time that Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa’s wish to become an American citizen was realized. He became a citizen in 1997. He admits he had “fallen in love” with his new country. Alfredo then graduated from Harvard Medical School, cum laude, in 1999. In recognition of his scholastic achievements and obstacles overcome, Alfredo’s class honored him as its commencement speaker.
Internships in general surgery and neurosurgery followed at the University of California, San Francisco. There, Dr. Quinones-Hinojosa honed skills that now make him one of the prominent Neurology and Oncology medical doctors in the country.
Dr. Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa’s life is one of service to others, one of healing, one of giving back; the realization of his dream. He is currently an assistant professor of Neurology and Oncology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and director of the Brain Tumor Surgery Program at the Johns Hopkins Bayview Hospital. He performs nearly 250 brain operations per year. Dr. Quinones-Hinojosa has published more than 60 peer reviewed articles, 59 published abstracts and scientific platform presentations, and received dozens of honors and awards (see attached).
Dr. Quinones-Hinojosa was recently featured in ABC's six part documentary called, Hopkins. The documentary is filmed at Johns Hopkins University, where Dr. Quinones-Hinojosa performs brain surgery in his capacity as a neurosurgeon, and neurosurgery clinic director. His inspiring story of the human spirit’s triumph over adversity has also been featured in the Readers Digest, the New York Times, The New England Journal of Medicine, and a variety of national and international publications.
“I see my career in academic medicine as an opportunity to improve our understanding and treatment of human diseases,” says Dr. Quinones-Hinojosa. “I want to provide leadership within medicine, support to future scientists, medical students, and physician scientists from minority and nonminority groups alike.”
Given his humble beginnings, Dr. Quinones-Hinojosa’s rise to the heights of the medical field was improbable. These experiences move him to ensure that those who follow in his footsteps receive the same support he did. This "giving back" attitude follows Dr. Quinones-Hinojosa throughout his life. From his earliest activities at San Joaquin Delta College as a tutor to minority students, to his position as co-chair of the U.C. Berkeley Committee on Latinos in Health and Education, he always paves the way for others to realize their dreams. Today, his research lab is one of the most racially and ethnically diverse on the Johns Hopkins campus.
Not surprisingly, Dr. Quinones-Hinojosa says, “As you go up in life, you should always look back and help the people behind you. I owe so much to the many people who extended a hand throughout my life. For immigrants like me, my voyage still means giving back to society.”
His many successes and contributions to medicine are shining examples of how the American Dream can be nurtured and flourish through the determined efforts of community colleges. San Joaquin Delta College is proud to have provided one of the stepping stones to Dr. Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa’s astonishing career. While his work as a brain surgeon has directly touched the lives of hundreds, his example continues to inspire countless others.
Dr. Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa
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