Former Migrant Worker Dr. Alfredo Quiñones Would Like To Pick Your Brain
12 March 2008, 9:45 AM. By Daniel Mauser
Dr. Alfredo Quiñones, a former illegal migrant worker from Mexico, has since become a renowned surgeon at Johns Hopkins. The news anchor would really like to stress that Dr. Q likes to pick things, from tomatoes as a 19 year-old undocumented worker to tumors as a Harvard-educated doctor with a sexy accent. Mmmm. Nothing adds spice to our morning huevos rancheros like comparing tomatoes and tumors.
“I’ve got another three brain tumors after this.” So what have you done with your life lately, lazy-ass commenter?
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You say tomato, I say tumor.
Don’t believe the hype! My Mexican-American brother went from Harvard Business School to unemployed and unsure what to do with his life. Maybe he should have picked tomatoes first.
So, I’ve got the Harvard degree. Should I lie about the picking tomatoes on my resume?
How many Harvard people read this blog? I’m the third Harvard-related individual to comment on this post. HEYYY!!
This homeboy was on Univision’s “Aquí y ahora” about two years ago talking about his story. Maybe he’ll have a book soon or be invoked in the immigration debate soon?
Make that 4 for Harvard. Damn!
Dude wrote an article on his story in the New England Journal of Medicine that I stumbled upon just a few days ago. Amazing story…
inspirational story… but it seems like the moral is: “if all illegal people worked hard enough, they could all become neurosurgeons.” and we know that working hard isn’t enough for most people. small detail: how did he get legalized?? he had some stroke of luck?
Also, it perpretuates the stereotype to non-Latinos that any Mexican-American at Harvard came from this sort of background. My earlier point was that I too am a Mexican-American who went to Harvard, PLENTY OF US EXIST, and we didn’t pick tomatoes. I’m middle class. I went to a great undergrad, too. Not community college.
What have I done with my life lately? I’ve slept with two Ivy League guys, but they weren’t illegals tho’ and not at the same time.
I haven’t gone to college at all. it’s not for me. but im livin the life, i chose a great career path. Tourism. since i graduated high school, 4 years ago.. I’ve been to los cabos, ixtapa/zihuatanejo, guadalajara, colima and hawaii 7 times, actually that is where I was all last week.
I guess I am just a plain ole latino boy….*cuts wrists*
Forget Harvard, paisa went to Community College and obtained a public education at Cal! Dare we tarnish John Harvard’s overrated and shiny brass toe by citing such unmentionables.
@Pocho,
Cal=Harvard of public schools. Point is, this man did great for himself! Congrats to him.
@ El Joto:
yes, won’t anyone think of the middleclass?!
@ Diego,
Congrats indeed.
Are you drinkin’ the Crimson Kool-Aid, homes?
I’m pretty sure that there are pretty significant differences between the resident institutions on Telegraph Ave. and Mass. Ave. Among them: Cal is not Harvard and it doesn’t have to be like Harvard to offer an education of exceptionally high quality. Elite? Yes. But all outstanding schools don’t have to be like Harvard to be good.
@gauchita & el joto: I agree with you guys 100%. But, no one cares about middle class Latinos.
Anyway, this may be good news for immigrants in the states, but it makes Mexico look really BAD! The National University of Mexico has an excellent Medical program, one of the best in Latin America. I know three doctors who got their degrees from there, and they’re exceptional. Why can’t Mexico guarantee opportunities to most of its talented citizens (and I’m talking about people like Alfredo Quiñones)? Mexico has the resources. The funny thing is, over the past few years, many professionals from South America and Europe have been moving to Mexico in search of opportunities. I met an Iranian man in Monterrey who is the son of immigrants and now he owns a successful business in that city. Mexico now has the largest number of Argentine citizens outside of Argentina. Carlos Slim (Lebanese) and Jorge Hank (who’s part German) are two of the richest men in Mexico. The opportunities are there, Mexicans need to stay at home, fix their problems, and change a very corrupt system.
Also, why do people feel the need to use the words “homeboy” and “homes?” Please stop. I’m begging here.
“Also, why do people feel the need to use the words “homeboy” and “homes?” Please stop.” Oh, please, get a life.
@Benito Bolas: “Get a life” is an overused phrase that doesn’t have the same effect it used to (it was first used in the 80s — or possibly late 70s). It’s currently used by idiots who disagree with someone but can’t think of anything intelligent to say in response to something. If you want to insult me (or anyone), try being more creative next time. Trite phrases are pathetic.
@G_B_A_N: Out of the sheer fantasy of saving the seemingly irredeemable, much like the way hipsters take the word ‘naco’ and make it their own. Even if said hipsters wouldn’t be caught dead with dark brown skin, faded point-knit polo shirts tucked into poorly fitted jeans, untamable hair style, questionable tastes in clothing or cultural cues and blue collar jobs that keep us away from our computers and blogs. Please, G_B_A_N, relax and embrace your inner cholo.
What, you thought I was being serious?
los poderosos de nuestro gobierno reprimen cualquier acto de sedicion pacifista , como en oct, del 68. cualquiera que intente un cambio es reprimido ,Colosio por citar un ejemplo,Mexico esta cambiando pero pasara mucho tiempo para que esto pase, la corrupsion se da en todos los niveles,mientras tanto la inmigracion continuara, pues muchos profesionistas no tienen la oportunidad de lograr su sueño en Mexico.diariamente encontraras a un medico en la calle vendiendo tacos ,o como conductor de un taxi,o un Ingeniero como conductor de microbus,si quieres un buen trabajo tienes que comprar una plaza(un empleo).cuesta mucho dinero que un egresado no puede pagar, triste,
que no ?
estoy muy orgullosa del Dr.lQuinones, y que eso que ha logrado que sirva de ejemplo a seguir para todos, los latinos y muchas felicidades Dr. Quinones usted es un orgullo para todos los mexicanos.
Dear Sour Grapes,
I read some of the comments and I was disappointed to find out that while someone is being recognized for his hard work, some of us are dishing out S**T. Obviously, the message was to motivate all people who’d rather watch novelas to try to do something better for themselves. Jealousy turns people an interesting shade of green. More power to you!! Instead of wasting your time blogging or posting negative feedback about someone who is making more money than you or myself, you should be congratulating him. I don’t think he is going to be wasting some of his valuable time reading brainless notes. Therefore, get a real life, go back to school, and achieve something!! He has done well for himself and we should be happy for one of our own. America Rocks!!
“My lunch is over — back to work”
Yes I really need to speek with Dr. Quinones If you guys could find a way to get this to him it would be greatly appreciated Cause the way things are going I do not know how long I have. So if I could I would like to get incontact with him thanks alot.
Dr. Alfredo Quinones passion in life is to find a cure for brain cancer. When he’s not in surgery he is in his labatory. Dr. Quinones fights a daily battle to saves lives. Although his dreams are big, the funds that he needs to bring them to live are very small.
Brain Cancer Facts: Brain cancer is the leading cause of death of all cancers in children up to age 19. More than 25,00 Ameicans are diagnosed every year with a primary or metastatic brain tumor.
To learn more about Dr. Quinones and to support his dream to one day find a cure for brain cancer log on to http://www.braincancerresearch4thecure.com
Hi my brother have a brain tumor for 5 years and he have many complication is to long to tell you. I would like for you to give me Dr. Alfredo Quinonez email please I relly appriciated. Genoveva
Genoveva You can easily find Dr. Quinones e-mail Just google his name Just remember to spell his name with an “s” Buena suerte Art
quiero seguir sus pasos Dr. alfredo quinones este es mi e-mail quillerakell@yahoo.es vivo en la florida y si quiero seguir con la profesion de medico asi que haber si me puede guiar en este pais de ante mano mil gracias.
lo vi por el show de don francisco y me lleno de mucha pero mucha ilusion de ver que si se puede. espero su respuesta positiva. una amiga mas.
Those mean that there are 18 millions of illegal, Alfredo Quinonez out side there?