"H2D"

Background from flickr user Rani G. Whitfield, M.D., a board certified family physician and a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians (FAAFP), also has a Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) in sports medicine. He 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. Dr. Whitfield is an impassioned advocate for increasing the awareness of health related issues, such as HIV/AIDS, obesity, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and substance abuse affecting African American youth and adults. His mission is to improve social conditions and health care services for all African Americans. Dr. Whitfield empowers individuals to change via Hip Hop mediums. He is actively participating in creating a solution to health and social issues facing the young urban community by offering a forum and a voice for our youth to discuss important issues and identify alternative solutions. He is the "founder" of the "Hip-Hop Medical Moment", one-minute commercials discussing pertinent medical topics affecting the community, featured Monday through Friday on WEMX Max 94.1 FM in Baton Rouge. A highly sought after lecturer, his topics include: The Hip Hop Doc’s Five Points to Healthy Living, Preventative Medicine, Physical Fitness, Drugs of Sexual Assault, Discrepancies in Health Care, and Diabetes in African Americans. In his private practice, he concentrates on Family and sports medicine. On a daily basis, he diagnoses and treats hypertension, diabetes, and cholesterol problems, 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, a long-term inpatient substance abuse treatment center, where he serves on both the local and national boards, and 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. In addition to these positions, Dr. Whitfield still finds time to serve as a volunteer team physician for the Southern University Laboratory Kittens, USA Boxing, and the 14th Street Boxing Club. In 1996, Dr. Rani received his medical degree with honors from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee. Thereafter, he completed his internship and residency in family medicine at St Elizabeth's Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio in 1999 and a sports medicine fellowship at Ohio State University in 2000. Prior to Medical School, Dr. Whitfield earned a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 1992, following one year on a basketball and vocal music scholarship at North Florida Junior College. Dr. Whitfield is an active member of the American Academy of Family Practice (AAFP); American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM); American Medical Society of Sports Medicine (AMSSM); Louisiana State Medical Association (LSMA); and East Baton Rouge Parish Medical Society (EBRPMS). He is a board member of the Louisiana Governor's Council for Physical Fitness and Sports, Mayor Kip Holden's HIV/AIDS Task Force, Louisiana Medicare Clinical Advisory Board, and the American Heart Association National Board-Southeastern Affiliates. On December 1st, 2004, he was flown to New York and featured on BET's number one hip-hop show, "106 and Park", to discuss HIV, HIV testing, and World AIDS Day. In January of 2005, he appeared on the PBS show, "Religion and Ethics Weekly" to discuss faith based and non-faith based substance abuse treatment. He also appeared on I-Village with stroke survivor and nationally acclaimed weatherman Mark McEwen discussing strokes and heart disease. Dr. Whitfield was also the medical consultant for BET.com and on December 1st, 2005, as he conducted a national online chat discussing HIV/AIDS on World AIDS Day. In the most important book ever written about HIV/ AIDS in the African American community, "Not In My Family," by Gil Robertson, IV, Dr. Whitfield was featured in chapter 50 for his views on this important topic along with Jesse Jackson, Jr., Al Sharpton, and Patti Labelle, just to name a few. To further his mission of educating youth through music, he launched his website in April of 2005. As a result of these efforts he has been selected as a national spokesperson for the American Heart Association where he was privileged to work with Yolanda King and the Power To End Stroke campaign before her untimely death. He was honored by Time Warner's communication in February of 2007 as they recognized successful African Americans during Black History Month: The Power Forward. He has received several other awards, including the YMCA Black Achievers Award, American Heart Association Ambassador Award, Links Trailblazer Award, just to name a few. Locally, Dr. Whitfield was the health consultant for the New Orleans radio station "Old School" 102.9 until Hurricane Katrina. Topics included HIV/AIDS awareness, sleep apnea, male pattern baldness, and cardiovascular disease in African American women. As a member of the American Heart Association, Dr. Whitfield ran a marathon, in June of 2001, and, in November of 2003, conducted a citywide "Get Dr. Whitfield out of Jail" campaign. Both efforts included radio spots and television appearances, which educated the community about heart disease and strokes. Through these efforts, he raised over $21,000 locally in support of stroke victims. Dr. Whitfield is a consultant for AOL Black Voices and writes columns for EUR Web (www.eurweb.com), Ozone Magazine, AllHipHop.com, and Ebony/Jet.com. He makes regular appearances on the Chuck D Show “On The Real” discussing all things related to health. He will be the medical expert for BET’s one hour groundbreaking show on std’s and sexual health scheduled to air in November of 2007. Despite Dr. Whitfield's extensive community involvement with busy medical practice, 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 his YMCA team "Rani's Rim Rocker's", trains with the "old goats" on Saturday mornings 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" entitled a Tale of Two Soles, is working on his first book, and is in the studio with students and friends creating a unique spoken word and musical concept. His most crowning accomplishment is his daughter Raina who has the doc on lock! Yall ain't ready for H2D! To learn more about how you can get involved in this mission or to request an appearance, E-mail Dr. Whitfield at [email protected].
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