Doctor Edward Anthony (Tony) Rankin

Edward Anthony Rankin was born July 6, 1940 in Holly Springs, Mississippi.  Following high school graduation there he attended Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri and received a B.S. degree in Biology (1961).  He obtained his M.D. degree from Meharry Medical College in 1965 and received a number of awards including induction into the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Society.  He was selected as the most outstanding Senior Medical Student in both Medicine and Surgery.

Dr. Rankin married Frances Espy, (M.D. 1969 Howard University College of Medicine) and raised two sons, Anthony Jr. (deceased) and Marc (M.D. 1997 Howard University School of Medicine).

He did a rotating internship at Walter Reed General Hospital in 1965 and completed his Orthopaedic Surgery Residency there in 1970.  He served as Chief of Orthopaedics at the 12^th Evacuation Hospital and at the 95^th Evacuation Hospital in the Republic of Vietnam and received the Bronze Star Medal for his service there.  He completed his military service at Fort Dix, New Jersey, as Chief of Orthopaedics at Walson Army Hospital and received the Army Commendation Medal as a Major in the U.S. Army.

Dr. Rankin joined Dr. Charles Epps, Jr. in practice in 1973 and was appointed as Assistant Professor of Orthopaedics at Howard University School of Medicine.  He subsequently was appointed Associate Professor in 1980 and in 1988 was promoted to professor of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery.  In 1972, he was certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.  Dr. Rankin has served as an Oral Examiner for the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery for a number of years and continues in that capacity.

He developed a special interest in Orthopaedic Surgery in developing countries.  Beginning with his tour in Vietnam he has continued that work in three separate volunteer tours in Africa.  He spent a month in Monrovia, Liberia 1979, a month in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 1985, and a month in Malawi 1995.

Dr. Rankin holds a lifetime membership in the Lincoln University National Alumni Association and in 1992 was awarded the Association’s Distinguished Alumni Award. Dr. Rankin has been a consistent and generous supporter of the Washington, DC chapter of the Lincoln University Alumni Association.  His membership in other organizations include the American Orthopaedic Association (elected, 1988); the American College of Surgeons (1975); the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (1975); the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (1979); the Eastern Orthopaedic Association (1973); and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (1977).