We are proud to announce that Dr. Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa has been awarded the 2025 Ellis Island Medal of Honor, one of the United States’ most prestigious civilian recognitions. Presented by the Ellis Island Honors Society, this award celebrates individuals who embody a commitment to community service, personal achievement, and the rich cultural diversity that defines the American experience.
Recognized by both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives and recorded in the Congressional Record, this honor highlights Dr. Quiñones-Hinojosa’s extraordinary journey—from immigrating to the U.S. and working as a farm laborer, to becoming a U.S. citizen, earning his M.D. from Harvard Medical School, and ultimately serving as Chair of Neurosurgery at Mayo Clinic in Florida.
In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Quiñones-Hinojosa leads groundbreaking research as director of the Brain Tumor Stem Cell Lab. He has received numerous grants from the NIH, holds several patents, and is dedicated to turning laboratory discoveries into life-saving treatments for patients with brain cancer.
Dr. Q joins a distinguished group of past recipients including Rosa Parks, Elie Wiesel, and six U.S. Presidents—an acknowledgment of his profound impact on both medicine and society.
▶️ Watch Dr. Quiñones-Hinojosa’s remarks from the 2025 Ellis Island Medal of Honor Gala:
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Quiñones-Hinojosa for this incredible honor and thank him for his continued dedication to healing, hope, and humanity.
