Roman grew up and attended elementary and secondary school in Bay City, Michigan.

After graduating high school, Roman moved to Nashville, Tennessee to attend Fisk University in 1907.

[1] With two years left of his medical degree to complete, he began serving as an orderly, and assigned the rank of Private.

[1] After graduating, Roman worked for the Montreal General Hospital in various duties, including house surgeon, senior resident, admitting officer and acting medical superintendent.

His research included health and safety for cotton mill workers, likely inspired by his uncle, Charles Victor Roman, who was also respected in the medical field and lost his leg due to an accident at a cotton mill at age 17.

[1][2] His research was published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal and influenced health and safety protocols in factories and mills.