Klein started his practice in the early ’80s after attending Michigan State University with clinicals in Grand Rapids. His residency at Saint Joseph Hospital moved him to Chicago in the late ’70s.
He found his love for medicine after volunteering at Howard Brown Health Center.
In 1982 he saw his first AIDS patient, who became the second case reported in the Chicago area. This led him away from being a family practitioner to becoming an AIDS specialist, teaming with Dr. Ross Slotten in 1984.
The two still work on patients today at 711 W. North Ave. with a convenient Walgreens that opened across the hall from their office this past February.
He went into business with his partner, David Gitomer, to create Spacio, a spa “strong enough for women but made for men” in 2004. He continues juggling both jobs. The name “Spacio” comes from mixing the Italian and Spanish equivalents of the word “space.” Spacio is spacious, being more than 6,000 square feet and a maze of private rooms that include services from haircuts to massage.
Tom owns homes with Gitomer—who is a professor of Eastern religion at Depaul University—in Andersonville and in Michigan. They met 24 years ago and after being introduced through a patient.
Spacio is at 2706 N. Halsted St.; visit www.spaciospa.com for more information.
THE STATS
Name
Tom Klein, M.D.
Age
60
Resides:
Andersonville
Relationship status
Looking forward to a civil union for 25th anniversary
Hometown
Detroit, Mich.
Hobbies
Gardening, board member of Heartland Alliance
Cubs or White Sox?
Cubs
Favorite Chicago restaurant
Sapori Trattoria
Favorite TV show
Glee
Text and photos by Jerry Nunn