UA Health-Career Forum Targets Black Male High-School Students

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — In an effort to address the minority physician shortage in Alabama, The University of Alabama’s College of Community Health Sciences is hosting its first health-career forum geared specifically for African-American male high-school students.

One hundred students from various West Alabama high schools were invited to participate in the Jan. 18 African American Male Health Career Forum, which features a keynote address from Dr. Rani G. Whitfield, a family medicine physician also known as the “Hip Hop Doc;” a book discussion; breakout sessions; and mentoring opportunities with local health care providers and health professions students.

The goal of the forum is to inspire students to consider becoming health-care professionals, particularly in rural areas, said Dr. Pamela Payne-Foster, event organizer. Foster is deputy director of the College’s Institute for Rural Health Research and an associate professor in the department of community and rural medicine.

Of Alabama’s 67 counties, 60 have been federally designated as complete or partial shortage areas for primary care physicians, and the Alabama Department of Public Health has estimated the state needs at least 400 more primary care physicians.

“There is a shortage of physicians who will practice in rural Alabama and an even greater shortage of minority physicians,” Foster said.

“The Pact,” which is the book discussion topic, was written by three African-American physicians. According to the book, these men “grew up in the streets of Newark, facing city life’s temptations, pitfalls, even jail. But one day these three young men made a pact. They promised each other they would all become doctors, and stick it out together through the long, difficult journey to attaining that dream.

“Sampson Davis, George Jenkins and Rameck Hunt are not only friends to this day – they are all doctors. This is a story about the power of friendship. Of joining forces and beating the odds. A story about changing your life, and the lives of those you love most … together.”

Whitfield said when he used to DJ parties in high school and college, he realized “how effective music was in bringing people together.” Today, as the Hip Hop Doc, he uses music, particularly rap, to educate youth about health issues.

“Too many young people are dying of preventable and treatable illnesses like diabetes, HIV/AIDS and high blood pressure,” he said.

Whitfield is known for his appearances on CNN, BET’s “106^th Park,” iVillage and other national talk and news shows. His home and practice are in his native Baton Rouge, La.

Whitfield earned a Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology from Southern University in Baton Rouge in 1992 and a medical degree in 1996 from MeHarry Medical College in Nashville, Tenn. He completed a family medicine residency at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio, and a sports medicine fellowship at The Ohio State University.

He is an ambassador for the American Heart Association and member of the American Academy for Family Practice, American College of Sports Medicine, American Medical Society of Sports Medicine, American Stroke Association’s Advisory Committee and the Louisiana State Medical Association.

In 2008, Whitfield released “Tha’ Hip Hop Doc Presents: State of Emergency,” a health education music CD, and the comic book series, “Tha’ Hip Hop Doc Presents: The Legion of Health,” as vehicles to encourage young people to adopt good health habits. He is also founder of the nonprofit Hip Hop Health Coalition that promotes healthy living platforms to youth groups.