2021 | Hilda Hutcherson

Hilda Hutcherson, MD, MS, is the Senior Associate Dean in the Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs at Columbia Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. She is a graduate of Stanford University, Harvard Medical School and received her MS degree from Columbia University Institute of Human Nutrition. She completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at New York Presbyterian Hospital- Columbia.

Dr. Hutcherson grew up in Tuskegee, Alabama. Her experience as a first-generation college student from a low-income family motivates her to create opportunities for underrepresented youth. She has received state, federal, and foundation grants for pipeline programs that provide academic enrichment and mentoring for more than 400 underrepresented and disadvantaged middle school, high school and college students each year. 

As Senior Associate Dean, Dr. Hutcherson is charged with the recruitment and retention of a diverse student body. She established the Kenneth A Forde Diversity Alliance which brings together underrepresented students, residents, fellows and faculty at Columbia VP&S for mentoring and fellowship.

She has served on numerous task forces and advisory boards including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Doris Duke Clinical Research Fellowship, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Associated Medical Schools of New York, Planned Parenthood of New York City and the New York State Department of Health. The Governor of New York State twice appointed her to the New York State Stem Cell Board, and she is currently a member of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Advisory Committee to the Director working group on Diversity. She received the VP&S Award for Excellence in Diversity, twice received the P&S Gender Equity Teaching Award, and was selected to the Academy of Community and Public Service at Columbia.

Dr Hutcherson is a nationally recognized expert in Women's Health who has devoted her career to patient education. She travels nationally and internationally to speak about women’s sexual health issues. For more than 15 years, she served as the Sexual Health columnist for Glamour, Essence, and Redbook Magazines, and she currently contributes to multiple women’s magazines and other media outlets. She is the author of three books: Having Your Baby: A Guide for African American Women, What Your Mother Never Told You About Sex, and Pleasure.