Christina Hicks, M.S., APRN, WHNP-BC, FAUNA

Biography

Christy Hicks, MS, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAUNA, is a board-certified women’s health nurse practitioner in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center. She specializes in urogynecology with a special interest in female chronic pelvic pain, interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome, and female sexual dysfunction.

Ms. Hicks received her undergraduate degree from the University of North Texas in 2003, completed her RN coursework at the University of Texas at Austin in 2011, and earned her Master of Science in Nursing – Women's Health Nurse Practitioner from Texas Woman's University in 2014. She is board-certified as a women's health nurse practitioner by the National Credentialing Corporation and has worked as an advanced practice nurse in obstetrics and gynecology for ten years, with more than eight years in urogynecology. She has also recently obtained a postgraduate certificate in Sexual Health Counseling and Sexual Health Education through the University of Michigan.

She is a Fellow of the Academy of Urologic Nurses & Associates and a member of the Society of Urologic Nurses & Associates (SUNA), the American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS), and the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health. Ms. Hicks is President of the Greater Dallas Fort Worth SUNA chapter and President Elect on the national SUNA Board of Directors.

Ms. Hicks has been published in multiple academic peer reviewed journals and by the Interstitial Cystitis Association several times. She was also lead author on the chapter "Management of Fecal/Anal Incontinence During Pregnancy and Postpartum" in Management of Fecal Incontinence for the Advanced Practice Provider, published by the International Continence Society.

She is the recipient of the 2021 UT Southwestern Medical Center Inaugural Award for Outstanding Advanced Practice Provider in Scholarly Endeavors. She is Chair of the UT Southwestern Medical Center Nursing Research Council and has previously served as co-chair of the Advanced Practice Provider Research, QI, and Evidence-Based-Practice Committee at UT Southwestern. She is the recipient of a SUNA Young Investigators Program research grant for a clinical trial (Lessons on Urethral Lidocaine in Urodynamics ("LULU"): Impact of intraurethral lidocaine on cystometric parameters and discomfort, a RCT[MOU1] ) that she recently completed as principal investigator. Ms. Hicks presented the results of her trial at the 2021 Society of Urologic Nurses & Associates Annual Urologic Conference in St. Louis and the 2022 International Urogynecological Association/American Urogynecologic Society Scientific Meeting in Austin, TX. Ms. Hicks has also acted as principal investigator of a prospective survey study (Survey of Urinary Symptoms in Women (“SUSIE-Q”)). Results of her survey study were presented at both the 2021 American Urogynecologic Society Scientific Meeting in Phoenix and at the 2021 International Urogynecological Association Scientific Meeting virtually. Ms. Hicks also participates in National Institutes of Health-funded research through the Pelvic Floor Disorders Network and has been co-investigator of a multicenter clinical research trial investigating a new treatment device for stress urinary incontinence.

Publications

• Hicks, C., & Rahn, D. D. (2024, January 1). Urodynamics and the role of lidocaine. Contemporary OB/GYN, 69(1), 16.
• Hicks, C., Hare, A. M., Pruszynski, J. E., & Rahn, D. D. (2022). Prevalence and Bother of Postvoid Dribbling and Urine Spraying or Splitting: Survey of a General Gynecology Population. Urogynecology, 10.1097/SPV.0000000000001277. Retrieved from https://journals.lww.com/fpmrs/Fulltext/9900/Prevalence_and_Bother_of_Postvoid_Dribbling_and.32.aspx. doi:10.1097/spv.0000000000001277
• Hicks, C., Schaffer, J. I., Pruszynski, J. E., & Rahn, D. D. (2022). Impact of Intraurethral Lidocaine on Cystometric Parameters and Patient Discomfort: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Urologic Nursing, 42(5), 237-257. Retrieved from https://login.foyer.swmed.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=159859864&site=eds-live&scope=site. doi:10.7257/2168-4626.2022.42.5.237
• Hicks, C., Clamann, T., Compton, J., & Walker, E. (2022). Urodynamics: Practice Tips. Urologic Nursing, 42(4), 198-202. Retrieved from https://login.foyer.swmed.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=158882560&site=eds-live&scope=site. doi:10.7257/2168-4626.2022.42.4.198
• Hegan, C. & Rahn, D. (2019). Intraurethral Lidocaine Use During Urodynamic Testing Deserves Further Study. Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery. Retrieved from https://journals.lww.com/jpelvicsurgery/Citation/publishahead/Intraurethral_Lidocaine_Use_During_Urodynamic.99447.aspx
• Hegan, C. & Corton, M. (2018). Management of Fecal/Anal Incontinence During Pregnancy & Postpartum. In Bliss, D. (1st ed.). Management of Fecal Incontinence for the Advanced Practice Nurse (211-239). Switzerland: Springer.
• Hegan, C. (2018). IC & Pregnancy: Knowledge is Power. ICA Update, Spring 2018, 20-22.
• Hicks, C. (2017). Mindfulness Over Matter. ICA Update, Summer 2017, 15-17.
• Hicks, C. (2017). Human Relations. ICA Update, Spring 2017, 4-5.
• Hicks, C. (2017). Fulranumab vs. Placebo for the Treatment of IC/PBS. Retrieved from https://www.ichelp.org/fulranumab-vs-placebo-treatment-icpbs/
• Hicks, C. (2017). Recent Trial Fails to Effectively Compare DMSO and Chondroitin Sulphate 2% Bladder Instillations for IC/PBS. Retrieved from https://www.ichelp.org/recent-trial-fails-effectively-compare-dmso-chondroitin-sulphate-2-bladder-instillations-icpbs/