Meet Dr. Theo Nyame, the Ghanaian-born plastic surgeon transforming lives in Charlotte and across the world.
The Harvard-trained board-certified doctor specializes in reconstructive surgery and aesthetic and has had to work his way up to become one of the most highly rated plastic surgeons in America, reports Face2Face Africa.
Dr. Nyame was just eight-years-old when he and his family relocated to the Bronx, New York from Ghana for better opportunities.
“So my brother and I were born in Ghana, West Africa in a small village. When I was about eight years old, my parents brought our family to the United States,” he tells Face2Face Africa. “We grew up in the South Bronx. From there, we began our educational accomplishments.”
With a determination to make it, Dr. Nyame and his brother, Kwasi, were serious when it came to their studies which they both can attest to working out — now that they are successful within the field of surgery.
After receiving his bachelor’s degree from Cornell University, where he majored in chemical biology and chemistry, Dr. Nyame went on to Harvard Medical School. It was there that he found his true love for reconstructive plastic surgery. He also became one out of three selected from hundreds of applicants to train in plastic surgery at the Harvard Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Program.
Upon his completion of the program, Dr. Nyame obtained his Research Fellowship through the Harvard Medical School Pfeiffer Fellow. He then traveled to Australia for his Aesthetic Surgery Fellowship at Gold Coast University Hospital in Queensland, Australia.
Now, Dr. Nyame works at Charlotte Plastic Surgery and offers his medical skills to not only transform lives in the Charlotte area but to various hospitals around the world.
In 2015, he was a part of a groundbreaking procedure in the industry after he was among a team selected to perform a full face transplant surgery in the United States.
“I’ve traveled the world and I’ve been very fortunate to participate in a number of very interesting opportunities…so my cultural background has really shaped the way I look at everything,” he continued in his interview with Face2Face Africa.
As a member of the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Dr. Nyame has also received a good amount of regional and professional awards which includes the surgical teaching award, the Hollis L. Albright, ’31 Scholar award, and the Linnane Scholarship for Academic excellence and community leadership from the Harvard Medical School.
Recently named among 30 distinguished African-American business professionals and leaders, Dr. Nyame, is also the published author of both medical book chapters and peer-reviewed articles.
“For a long time, the achievements of African Americans and people of color have essentially been minimized,” Dr. Nyame said. “So in this era, it’s great to have a platform and a voice where those of us who have been able to achieve usually by climbing on the shoulders of those who came before us have a platform where we can show our accomplishments.”
Face2Face Africa reports more than 42.4 million immigrants live in the United States with hopes of pursuing dreams and opportunities. Dr. Nyame is one of those who is living that dream and despite all of his accomplishments, says his proudest moment was seeing his brother graduate as a practicing neurosurgeon.
“My proudest moment has nothing to do with me but probably with my brother,” said Dr. Nyame. “My brother is a practicing neurosurgeon. When we first came to this country, we didn’t speak any English so we started off in the South Bronx and through hard work and self-belief, we have been able to achieve a lot.”
