The Roanoker - July/August 2021 - 44

BREATHE IN
W
recurrent bronchitis or pneumonias. If you believe you are
" sick all the time, " he wants to figure out why! His office, Fame
Dr. Thomas Fame celebrates his win and shares his
important work in Haiti.
ith more than three decades of excellent medical
experience, it's no wonder Dr. Thomas Fame has been
awarded Top Allergist/Immunologist in our Top Docs 2021
poll.
" It reassures me that I must be doing something right, " he
says of the award. " I try to listen to patients and be creative
with treatments, because often they have been to several
physicians without help. If I can help someone who has not
found relief elsewhere - it's a big win for both of us. "
Fame sees patients of all ages, from two months to 100
years old, with respiratory symptoms, sinus, asthma,
Allergy & Asthma in Salem, also treats other allergy-related
issues such as eczema, hives, food allergy reactions and
uncomplicated headaches.
For those of us who love to spend time outdoors (from
post-quarantine vacation " escapes " to sunshine-filled lunch
breaks), but worry about allergies and asthma, Fame and his
team can make you " not allergic " by desensitizing patients
with allergy shots.
" They will take away the immune response to these pollens
so that you can enjoy the outdoors without symptoms or the
need for meds, " he says.
For Fame, success is measured in his patients. " I love
seeing the full breadth of humanity, finding out about
people's interests, their life and work, and giving them a place
to feel that they have worth. A person isn't healed until you
treat both their physical and spiritual needs. As a former
pediatrician, I enjoy so much interacting and hearing what
little people have to say. "
Since 1996, Fame's second job has been creating
sustainability in a rural valley of Haiti, a walk in faith that
has taken him on adventures he never could've previously
imagined. He not only connected with the community and
its children as a visiting then-pediatrician 25 years ago, but
helped build a school through local fundraising, amongst
many other selfless tasks.
The journey led him to obtain a master's degree in public
health from Johns Hopkins, and implement a community
health program that empowers local people to improve their
lives with schools, lunch programs, clean water, job creation,
a birthing center and now a community-wide public health
program. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of his work in
Haiti, he has released his second book, " The Lambi's Call:
Breaking the Chains. " His first book, " Three Cups of Tea, "
focused on building relationships and falling in love. He
describes the second book as " raising the children. "
" By that, I mean working to moving this community
towards self-sufficiency and not being dependent on outside
groups, " he says. He often speaks at local church groups and
book clubs about his work in Haiti and publications.
Fame is glad to call Roanoke home, spending his free time
walking the greenway, or hiking or kayaking around the area.
He swims and works out at the Salem YMCA, and has taken
drum lessons for over six years, which he says is a " great
release " and something he wishes he'd started when he was
younger. He also reads theology and teaches classes for those
entering the Catholic Church.
" Salem and the Roanoke Valley have been so good to my
family and me, " Fame says. " I have been amazed at the help
I've received from people over the years. There are many
heroes in the Valley for me - Estelle Avner of the Bradley Free
Clinic and Peter Lewis with Apple Ridge Farms, to name just
two. Thank you all for this honor. " -LL
44 JULY/AUGUST 2021
TheRoanoker.com
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The Roanoker - July/August 2021

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