January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. Despite being a nearly entirely preventable form of cancer, cervical cancer still kills thousands of women every year in the United States. AWHP is committed to raising awareness about cervical cancer screening and prevention, and advancing policies that promote cervical health. To learn more about the importance of cervical cancer screening and helping women navigate their screening and prevention options, we sat down with Dr. Verda Hicks.

Dr. Hicks is the President of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, or ACOG, the professional association of physicians specializing in obstetrics and gynecology in the United States, representing more than 60,000 physicians. Dr. Hicks is a gynecologic oncologist, and recently served as the chief of gynecologic oncology at Jersey Shore University Medical Center and medical director of gynecologic oncology for Hackensack Meridian Health Center, both in New Jersey. Before that, she held faculty positions at the University of Kansas and University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Listen below to hear Dr. Hicks’ expert insights.