For 40+ years, pediatric pulmonologist LeRoy Graham, MD, has treated thousands of patients, served in leadership at medical societies and devoted himself to improving access to care for underserved communities. His heart for public service drives him to give back to people in need.
Simply put, Dr. Graham embodies the best of his profession. He is announcing his retirement from Allergy & Asthma Network, where he has served as medical director for Not One More Life. Dr. Graham founded Not One More Life in 2003.
“After discussion with my family and prayerful reflection, I have decided to retire,” he says. “I am so very appreciative of the opportunities afforded Not One More Life since it became a part of the incredible Allergy and Asthma Network. I am confident that Not One More Life will continue to flourish as a program of the Network. Its best days may even lie ahead.”
Dr. Graham earned his medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine in 1979. He then joined the U.S. Army as a physician. He completed his residency in pediatrics at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center in Aurora, Colorado.
Dr. Graham directed pediatrics at military hospitals overseas in Seoul, Korea and in the U.S. in Colorado and Kentucky. In Colorado from 1986-89, he completed a pediatric pulmonology fellowship at the University of Colorado and a research fellowship at Webb Waring Lung Institute.
In 1990, Dr. Graham deployed to Iraq for nine months during Operation Desert Storm. He served as a brigade surgeon and received the Bronze Star and Combat Medical Badge.
In 1993, Dr. Graham decided to relocate his family to Georgia to enter private practice. He joined Georgia Pediatric Pulmonary Associates, one of the largest pediatric pulmonary practices in the country. He has also served as Chief Medical Officer of the Bridge Atlantic Medical Clinic, a charitable health clinic.
Dr. Graham’s impact through the years continues to be felt every day. In the words of some of his patients:
- “Dr. Graham saved my son’s life. He took the time and truly listened and helped us to understand how to reduce asthma triggers and the importance of our daily controller medications.”
- “Dr. Graham loves his patients. He spends the time needed to help me get the care I need to keep my daughter breathing well.”
Dr. Graham has published dozens of peer-reviewed articles. He is a past member of the Board of Regents of the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) and trustee of the American Thoracic Society (ATS) Foundation. In 2019, he won the ATS Public Advisory Roundtable Distinguished Achievement Award for innovation, leadership and public service.
Dr. Graham has long been passionate about reducing and eliminating health disparities, especially in communities of color. The tragic passing of 10-year-old Kellen Bolden to an asthma attack in 2003 inspired him to examine more closely the health barriers that exist in urban environments.
He founded Not One More life, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that partners with churches, faith-based organizations and schools. It provides free asthma screenings, patient education and referrals in predominantly Black communities and trains healthcare professionals on guidelines-based asthma care.
In 2020, the program was rebranded as Not One More Life Trusted Messengers. In addition to lung health screenings, it hosts COVID-19 testing and vaccinations at churches across the country. Also available are free school supplies, food vouchers and flu shots.
In addition, Dr. Graham guided the Network’s recent “Black People Like Me” virtual conference series addressing COVID-19 and asthma disparities in Black communities. The series was part of a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) engagement award. Dr. Graham will continue on through March 2022 as a project leader for a similar virtual conference series addressing Hispanic communities.
“It has been an honor and privilege to work with Dr. Graham,” says Tonya Winders, President and CEO of Allergy & Asthma Network. “We valued his expertise and leadership in shaping the Not One More Life Trusted Messengers program and expanding it to other areas of the country. His relentless focus and energy made an impact in addressing health inequities and improving the lives of patients and families. We wish Dr. Graham and his family all the best in retirement.”
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