Rani G. Whitfield, M.D., a board certified family
physician with a Certificate of Added Qualification in sports medicine, has
become known as "Tha Hip Hop Doc" or "H2D" to many of the
young adults in his hometown of Baton Rouge, Louisiana where he practices
medicine. Dr. Whitfield is an impassioned advocate for increasing the
awareness of health-related issues, including HIV/AIDS, obesity, cardiovascular
disease, and substance abuse. His mission is to improve social
conditions and health care services for African-American youth and parents. By
combining hip-hop culture and health messages,Dr. Whitfield empowers individuals to change unhealthy lifestyles. He is
creating a solution to the health and social challenges young urban communities
face by offering a forum and a voice for our youth to discover alternative
solutions. He is the founder of the "Hip-Hop Medical Moment,” a one-minute
audio series on pertinent medical topics. This highly sought after
lecturer delivers dynamic presentations on preventative medicine, teen
pregnancy, physical fitness, drugs of sexual assault, HIV/AIDS, discrepancies
in health care, and diabetes.
In his private practice, Dr. Whitfield concentrates on family medicine. Daily,
he diagnoses and treats hypertension, diabetes, and cholesterol problems. He
performs more than 200 pre-participation physicals each year and coordinates
care for athletes (insured or uninsured). Additionally, Dr. Whitfield is the
medical director of both Cenikor Foundation, a long-term inpatient substance
abuse treatment center, and Set Free Indeed, an outpatient faith-based
substance abuse treatment center. Dr. Whitfield is also one of two physicians
responsible for the health care of the inmates at East Baton Rouge Parish
Prison. With these, he still finds time to volunteer as team physician for the
Southern University Laboratory Kittens, Southern
University Men's Baseball, Southern
University Women's Basketball, USA
Boxing, and the 14th Street
Boxing Club.
In 1996, Dr. Whitfield received a medical degree with honors from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee.
Thereafter, he completed an internship and residency in family medicine at St
Elizabeth's MedicalCenter in Dayton, Ohio in 1999 and a sports medicine fellowship at OhioStateUniversity in 2000. He
earned a bachelor of science degree with honors from Southern University and A&MCollege
in Baton Rouge, Louisiana,
in 1992, after one year at North Florida Junior
College on basketball and vocal music scholarships.
Dr. Whitfield is an active member of the AmericanAcademy of Family Practice, AmericanCollege of Sports Medicine, American
Medical Society of Sports Medicine, Louisiana State Medical Society, and East
Baton Rouge Parish Medical Society. He is a board member of the State of Louisiana
Governor's Council for Physical Fitness and Sports, Mayor Kip Holden's HIV/AIDS
Task Force, Baton Rouge General Hospital Ethics Committee, Louisiana Medicare
Clinical Advisory Board, Cenikor Foundation
Inc., and the American Heart Association National Board-Southeastern
Affiliates. He is also a consultant for AOL Black Voices and writes a
monthly column for EUR Web (www.eurweb.com).
Dr. Whitfield has been featured on BET's
number one hip-hop show, 106 and Park, to
discuss HIV, HIV testing, and World AIDS Day. He also appeared on the PBS’s Religion and
Ethics Weekly and discussed faith-based and other substance abuse
treatment. He also appeared on I-Village with stroke survivor and nationally
acclaimed weatherman Mark McEwen
discussing stroke and heart disease. Dr. Whitfield was also the medical
consultant for www.bet.com and has conducted a national online chat discussing
World AIDS Day. In the most important book ever written about HIV/ AIDS in the
African American community, Not In My Family, includes his
views on this important topic along with those of Omar Tyree, Jesse Jackson,
Jr., Byron Cage, Al Sharpton, and Patti Labelle, just to name a few.
To further his mission of educating youth through music, “Tha’ Hip-Hip Doctor” launched
this website in April 2005. As a result of these efforts he appears in Time
Warner's The Power Forward campaign, a communication that honors successful
African Americans during Black History Month and has also received several
other awards from the YMCA Black Achievers Award, American Heart Association
Ambassador Award, Links Trailblazer Award. Dr. Whitfield was the on-air health
consultant for New Orleans’
"Old School" 102.9FM until Hurricane Katrina. He answered questions
on HIV/AIDS awareness, sleep apnea, male pattern baldness, and cardiovascular
disease. As a member of the American Heart Association, Dr. Whitfield ran a
marathon and conducted a citywide "Get Dr. Whitfield Out of Jail"
campaign. Both efforts used radio segments and television appearances to educate
the community about heart disease and strokes. Through these efforts, he raised
more than $21,000 locally to support of stroke victims.
Despite all of his commitments to his medical practice and the community, he
still finds time to pursue his hobbies. For music, Dr. Whitfield is the bass
player and part-time vocalist for the R&B/Blues/Funk band "Black
Ice." For his own health, he finds time to exercise independently, as
well as with his personal trainer Bill Downs. He also participates with his
fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc. in their "old school" step shows
when time permits. For his sports fill, he regularly plays basketball with
Rani's Rim Rocker's (his YMCA team), trains with the "old goats" on weekends
at Broadmoor High School, and is currently in preparing for USA Track and Field
Masters 400 meter run. Dr. Whitfield created his own "docu-drama,"
A Tale of Two Soles, is working on his first book, and is in the studio with
students and friends working on a musical project. His most crowning accomplishment
is his beautiful daughter Raina.
"Improving the Lives of Youth and Young Adults Through Hip-Hop"
Tha’ Hip-Hop Healthy Coalition are health industry and community partners who have joined Tha’Hip-Hop Doctor in educating teens and young adults on health issues using interactive workshops, health fairs, concerts and empowerment seminars. With hip-hop culture having such a large influence on young adults, Tha’ Hip Hop Healthy Coalition brings artists, celebrities and athletes, along with a fun and inviting atmosphere, to effectively reach such a highly influenced group. As this extremely viable, social, and economical force called hip hop gains even more mainstream appeal, we have at our disposal the power to change and improve the mindsets and behaviors of young adults globally. Take the Hip-Hop Coalition Creed and join us. Make a contribution today.
THA HIP-HOP HEALTHY COALITION CREED
We are on a mission to promote a healthier lifestyle amongst today's youth through programs that integrate health education and hip-hop culture (or you can use “programs that merge Hip-Hop culture and the health industry”).
We will provide a forum for young people to address important health issues, identify alternative solutions to social challenges, and discover ways to change their lives.
We will increase the awareness of health-related issues, HIV/AIDS, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and substance abuse among African-American youth using the hip-hop format.
We will improve social conditions and health care services for African-American youth and parents
Hip-Hop Healthy Facts Hip hop has moved beyond the boundaries of urban genre and rap music. Its generational appeal has cut across a rich cultural spectrum, encompassing Blacks, Whites, Hispanics, and Asians. It is now considered a lifestyle; and one that has emerged as a powerful brand that transends traditional ethnic and economic backgrounds. Hip hop has become a global language in an increasingly multicultural world and is the lifestyle of today's youth. With this fact in mind, it is obvious that the mass appeal of the hip-hop format carries with it a street credibility that captivates young consumers. That's why Hip-Hop music and hip-hop stars are very effective advertising mediums. What seems to be missing are advocates that promote health-conscious lifestyles that promote longevity. Tha’ Hip-Hop Doctor and Tha’ Hip-Hop Coalition stand as advocates, empowering a generation using the culture of hip hop—a mesmerizing format of beats, styles, and lyrics—to infuse messages on healthy living and conscious decision making.
