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On the Border of a Dream: One Mexican Boy's Journey to Become an American Surgeon
On the Border of a Dream is an eye--opening and uplifting autobiography that tells the true story of a boy from rural Mexico, who at a young age sets his mind to becoming a surgeon in the USA. This memoir follows Edgar Hernandez from his tight-knit family in Mexico through his journeys to the USA. On the Border of a Dream offers an intimate glimpse into the first-hand experience of immigration: the challenges, triumphs, and never-ending hard work, integrity, and determination to succeed. Ultimately, this is an inspiring story of an remarkable and talented immigrant seeking his place in America who achieves his dream of becoming a renowned surgeon.
328 pages, Hardcover
Published May 31, 2018
About the author
Edgar H. Hernandez
4 books3 followersEdgar H. Hernandez, MD, MS, FACS, lives in Tempe, Arizona. In addition to being a proud husband and father, he is now a happy grandfather of six granddaughters from the ages of six months to 16 years.
For over thirty years he has been a surgeon in private practice. Additionally he has served as chief of surgery, chief of staff , and member of the board at Chandler Regional Medical Center in Chandler, Arizona.
For over 20 years Dr. Hernandez has practiced general surgery. In the last ten years, Doctor Hernandez has dedicated himself to the eld of breast surgery. He cares for women with minimal to devastating breast cancers. Recently Dr. Hernandez joined the Ironwood Cancer and Research Center, a renowned oncology center in Arizona. He is a diplomat of the American Board of Surgery, a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and a practicing oncoplastic breast surgeon.
Over the course of his career, Dr. Hernandez has worked with charitable groups and various foundations. He has led and partici- pated in many mission trips to Mexico to perform surgeries, teach and train Mexican surgeons, and bring medical equipment and supplies to underfunded Mexican hospitals. In 2000, the Phoenix Hispanic community awarded him its “Humanitarian Award” for his mission work in Mexico. In 2011, Dr. Hernandez was named “Man of the Year,” a humanitarian distinction, by Fresh Start Women’s Foundation of Arizona for his treatment of uninsured women in need of surgeries for breast disorders, including breast cancers.
For over thirty years he has been a surgeon in private practice. Additionally he has served as chief of surgery, chief of staff , and member of the board at Chandler Regional Medical Center in Chandler, Arizona.
For over 20 years Dr. Hernandez has practiced general surgery. In the last ten years, Doctor Hernandez has dedicated himself to the eld of breast surgery. He cares for women with minimal to devastating breast cancers. Recently Dr. Hernandez joined the Ironwood Cancer and Research Center, a renowned oncology center in Arizona. He is a diplomat of the American Board of Surgery, a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and a practicing oncoplastic breast surgeon.
Over the course of his career, Dr. Hernandez has worked with charitable groups and various foundations. He has led and partici- pated in many mission trips to Mexico to perform surgeries, teach and train Mexican surgeons, and bring medical equipment and supplies to underfunded Mexican hospitals. In 2000, the Phoenix Hispanic community awarded him its “Humanitarian Award” for his mission work in Mexico. In 2011, Dr. Hernandez was named “Man of the Year,” a humanitarian distinction, by Fresh Start Women’s Foundation of Arizona for his treatment of uninsured women in need of surgeries for breast disorders, including breast cancers.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 1, 2020
This is my surgeon. I am 15 days post op for breast cancer surgery. Dr. Hernandez is an amazing doctor. This book reflects his candor and honesty. I have the utmost respect for him. He has been an integral part of saving my life. This book is a page turner. I couldn't put it down. It's a story of perseverance, hard work, patience, resilience and love.
December 10, 2020
Dr Hernandez is my surgeon for my double mastectomy. From the moment I met him I could tell there was something unique and special about him. He gave me his cell phone number so if at anytime I had questions I could ask. He would hug me to reassure me I was ok. After reading his book I can see what makes him so wonderful. This book is well written and you don’t want to put it down. I suggest reading this so you can see what a life of integrity looks like.
June 28, 2017
I know Dr. H, he is my surgeon. After reading this book I can fully understand his compassion and kindness. This book tells an amazing story of determination, kindness, sacrifice and love. If every family was bound together like Dr. H's family we would all be living in a better world. Thank you for the wonderful story. My only criticism, this story was to short. I wanted to experience more.
September 11, 2019
Dr.Hernandez is an amazing human being . In reading this book I learned that he was also a phenomenal child. Coming from hardship, having less than nothing but a loving family this man / boy grew up loving life and taking it in and learning everything he possibly could and worked hard to achieve his dreams. The story of young Edgar growing up is absolutely amazing. His will to do good and his love of life and people let him on an adventure that has touched so many lives, mind being one of them. I am excited to move on to his next book, this book was excellent and I loved every word of it never losing interest never being bored but always hungry for more.
September 4, 2019
Fantastic story.
I have met Dr. Hernandez and have discovered what an amazing surgeon and gentlemen he truly is for everyone he meets. Dr. Hernandez and this book have touched my heart.
I have met Dr. Hernandez and have discovered what an amazing surgeon and gentlemen he truly is for everyone he meets. Dr. Hernandez and this book have touched my heart.
December 19, 2017
I liked the way this book is organized between past and the present.
I also liked all the unforgettable people I met by reading it.
I felt like I got to know and love them all. For example, there is the Godfather Edgar from Germany, and the half-brother Miguel, who was the only non-navajo jewelry maker in a silversmith's shop in Arizona.
Most importantly , I met the Grandfather, abuelito, who is a wise,lovely, old man who lives for his grandson.
The dad presents a tortured soul who can heal people and teaches Edgar to love surgery, while the kind Elvira and Javier decide to foster Edgar after he sits at a table at the cafe where Elvira works as a waitress in Nogales. Then there is Aurelio, the kind, clever , wise,soft-spoken official expert on all the papeles needed to get a visa to the US.
The most interesting part of the book for me takes place in Nogales. This part about Edgar's crazy months long struggles to gather the papers necessary to cross the border as a minor ward of Miguel, his half-brother, was really fascinating. I enjoyed reading about his adventures on the streets of Nogales, and the fact that he got to know so much about the different offices that one needed to visit for immigration papers, that he became a little 11 year old consultant on immigration.
I was a little put off by the tone of the book, because it seems a little distant and stilted. In the early chapters Little Edgar doesn't seem to behave like a real little boy, but like a perfectly angelic, responsible old man in a young boy's body.
Still, I did enjoy reading the book.
I did enjoy the hints of humor such as Edgar's first visits to the wonderlands that are JC Penney's and Dairy Queen.
I also liked all the unforgettable people I met by reading it.
I felt like I got to know and love them all. For example, there is the Godfather Edgar from Germany, and the half-brother Miguel, who was the only non-navajo jewelry maker in a silversmith's shop in Arizona.
Most importantly , I met the Grandfather, abuelito, who is a wise,lovely, old man who lives for his grandson.
The dad presents a tortured soul who can heal people and teaches Edgar to love surgery, while the kind Elvira and Javier decide to foster Edgar after he sits at a table at the cafe where Elvira works as a waitress in Nogales. Then there is Aurelio, the kind, clever , wise,soft-spoken official expert on all the papeles needed to get a visa to the US.
The most interesting part of the book for me takes place in Nogales. This part about Edgar's crazy months long struggles to gather the papers necessary to cross the border as a minor ward of Miguel, his half-brother, was really fascinating. I enjoyed reading about his adventures on the streets of Nogales, and the fact that he got to know so much about the different offices that one needed to visit for immigration papers, that he became a little 11 year old consultant on immigration.
I was a little put off by the tone of the book, because it seems a little distant and stilted. In the early chapters Little Edgar doesn't seem to behave like a real little boy, but like a perfectly angelic, responsible old man in a young boy's body.
Still, I did enjoy reading the book.
I did enjoy the hints of humor such as Edgar's first visits to the wonderlands that are JC Penney's and Dairy Queen.
April 16, 2024
Dr. Hernandez has a plain writing style which weaves together stories of his childhood with parallels of his work as a surgeon. On the Border of a dream is an inspirational work that describes not only Dr. Hernandez's own struggle and determination to succeed in life, but also the incredible sacrifice of Miguel (his older brother), which made it all possible.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews