Dr. Don Quest Receives the 2025 Arnold Gold Foundation Award

Last week at Columbia VP&S's 2025 Commencement Ceremony, Dr. Don Quest, Assistant Dean for Admissions and J. Lawrence Pool Professor of Neurological Surgery, was awarded the 2025 Arnold P. Gold Foundation's Award for Humanism in Medicine.  Started in 1999 by the AAMC's Organization of Student Representatives, The Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism in Medicine Award honors "a medical school faculty physician who exemplifies the qualities of a caring and compassionate mentor in the teaching and advising of medical students. The nominee must also embody personal characteristics that are desirable personal qualities necessary to the practice of patient-centered medicine. by teaching ethics, empathy, and service by example." Dr. Quest is the first member of Columbia/NYP to receive this award. A neurosurgery luminary, Dr. Quest's life is a rich tapestry of lessons learned in leadership, empathy and scientific excellence.

Musical Ear Training for Exceptional Listening Skills

Like many neurosurgeons, Dr. Quest deeply loves music and enjoys working with his hands to create it. He learned the accordion as a child, participating in a family band. Then, in high school, he transitioned to the trombone, where he performed with various groups, including big bands, jazz, college and various neurosurgical and community ensembles, including the Rockland County Concert Band. 

Dr. Quest says, "Music teaches you to listen, blend with others, and stay in tune. I often tell students to remember the great words of Sir William Osler, 'Listen to your patients; they are telling you the diagnosis.' That is not to say the patient knows the diagnosis, but it encourages the provider to walk in the patient's shoes. There is less than a one percent chance that a patient will be exactly like you. You must understand who they are and their world to understand their experiences and serve them to the best of your ability. 

A Wingman in Every Sense of the Word

After receiving a degree in Mathematics from the University of Illinois, Dr. Quest served active duty in the Vietnam conflict as a naval aviator aboard the Aircraft Carrier, U.S.S. Kittyhawk. His squadron won the "E" in "Battle 'E' Award" for "Efficiency," an annual award given to U.S. Navy ships, aviation squadrons, or other units that demonstrate exceptional performance and readiness in their field. It recognizes the dedication and hard work of the crews and is a symbol of their high standards. 

Dr. Quest reflects, "Being someone's wingman, flying together through a dangerous situation requires keeping the team connected through camaraderie, a sense of duty and morale. Praise is absolutely key. You don't have to be hypercritical to bring out the best in your team, so let them know that you recognize those moments when they have succeeded or surpassed expectations." 

Why Neurosurgery?

Dr. Quest shares during his first year of medical school, Columbia neurosurgery legend, Dr. Bennett Stein, served as his Neuroanatomy preceptor. Working alongside Dr. Stein in the OR, Dr. Quest immediately fell in love with the field. "I loved the people, the complexity of the cases, as well as the rapid advances we were seeing at that time. Neurosurgery forever dynamic, challenging and fascinating. I knew this was what I wanted to do."

A Leader of Many, A Lifelong Learner

Dr. Quest has held numerous leadership roles throughout his career, including Department Chair, President of the AANS, Chairman of the American Board of Neurological Surgery, President of the Board of Education, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ and numerous leadership positions on civic and corporate bodies. He is also a father to three daughters with eight grandchildren. Says Dr. Quest, "I tell my preceptees to listen carefully, be mindful, always stay open and share with the students to try and find balance and guide the next generation accordingly."

As for the future of the field, Dr. Quest shares, "Now that we've been able to extend people's lives, it's critical that we make that time a meaningful experience. I'm looking forward to seeing what develops now from the many innovations I've had the privilege to use and those I've helped to create as we embark on the next chapter in medicine."

Reflections from Our Faculty

Dr. E. Sander Connolly:

“There is no one more worthy of the Arnold P. Gold Foundation – Humanism in Medicine Award. Don is a critical ingredient of the special sauce that makes Columbia great. His dedication to teaching and advising the medical students as well as the residents and faculty in our department is simply without parallel. We are so lucky to have him.

Dr. Jeffrey Bruce:

"Don Quest is one of my most favorite people on this earth.  He is an accomplished war veteran, skilled surgeon, gifted educator, esteemed role model and Level 5 leader.  But his humanism is what sets him apart.  He is a valued friend, humble colleague, and devoted family man who always manages to find the best in everyone around him."

Dr. Paul McCormick:

“I was fortunate to have Dr Donald Quest as a teacher, mentor, and role model during my neurological surgery training and for much of my career. He was not only a skilled surgeon but also a great person who understood and personified the professional integrity, honesty, and humility of our profession. He appreciated the serious consequences of the conditions of neurosurgical patients and managed them both as a surgical expert but also with compassion and empathy.”

“He was a true student of neurosurgery, committed to both his patients and to the specialty of neurosurgery. His work and commitment to education and patient care currently extends past the operating room and beyond the scope of neurosurgery through his ongoing commitments to Columbia University Medical Center, our medical students, and as a visible role model on our campus. Columbia is a better institution, neurosurgery is a better profession, and I am a better neurosurgeon because of Donald Quest.”

Dr. Guy McKhann:

“Don Quest has been a true mentor and inspiration to so many of us fortunate enough to know him over the last many decades at Columbia. He always has a minute for a word of sage advice and always makes the extra effort to help direct a student possibly interested in neurosurgery along the best path for them. He has extended his unique mentoring ability into his role as an Advisory Dean. His P&S students all recognize how lucky they are to have Don as their Dean. He has likely been singularly responsible for more talented medical students entering neurosurgery than anyone else in the country.”

“Don is truly one of a kind. He is a unicorn and so deserving of the Gold Foundation Award.”

Dr. Chris Winfree:

"Dr. Quest has been an outstanding mentor to me beginning as a first year medical student in 1991, when he was my Faculty Advisor. He served as my Program Director when I was a neurosurgery resident in the 1990s and 2000s. More recently, he has been an amazing colleague and friend. His office is right next door to mine and seeing him each time I am at Columbia is the highlight of my day. His boundless energy for and selfless devotion to the medical students has helped launch countess careers. There is no one that I look up to more than Dr. Quest. He is one of a kind!"

Congratulations, Dr. Quest, on your impressive legacy, a well-lived life and your dedication to the countless patients, families, students, faculty and staff who have benefited from the profound opportunity to learn from such a truly exceptional example of humanism in medicine.