19 October, 2025
trauma-surgeon-anna-marie-ledgerwood-receives-prestigious-award

Dr. Anna Marie Ledgerwood, a prominent trauma surgeon, has been honored with the 2025 Dr. Mary Edwards Walker Inspiring Women in Surgery Award from the American College of Surgeons (ACS). This prestigious recognition will be presented by ACS President Beth H. Sutton, MD, FACS, during the Convocation ceremony on October 4, 2025, preceding the ACS Clinical Congress in Chicago, Illinois.

The award is named after Mary Edwards Walker, MD, the first female surgeon in the U.S. Army and the only woman to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor. It acknowledges individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancement of women in surgery, an area where Dr. Ledgerwood has excelled throughout her career.

Impact on Trauma Care and Leadership

Dr. Ledgerwood, affiliated with Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, Michigan, has been instrumental in transforming trauma care both statewide and nationally. Her involvement with the ACS Committee on Trauma Verification, Review, and Consultation program began in 1987, shortly after she observed quality improvement initiatives at another institution. This program has become essential for verifying trauma centers across the United States, including the Detroit Receiving Hospital, Michigan’s first Level I trauma center.

The verification process established by Dr. Ledgerwood and her colleagues has been shown to significantly reduce mortality rates among both adult and pediatric trauma patients. Under her guidance, the hospital has also become a leading site for educating nearly half of all physicians in Michigan.

As a Fellow of the ACS since 1975, Dr. Ledgerwood has held numerous leadership roles. She has served as president of the ACS Michigan Chapter, a member of the Board of Governors, and as the first vice-president of the Board of Regents. Notably, she delivered the Scudder Oration on Trauma in 1996, becoming the first woman to do so.

Mentorship and Recognition

Beyond her contributions to surgical practice, Dr. Ledgerwood is renowned for her mentorship and support of students and junior colleagues. Her leadership extends to various prestigious organizations, where she has also been the first woman to hold positions such as president of the Academy of Surgery of Detroit, the Midwest Surgical Association, and the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma.

The ACS, founded in 1913, is a leading organization of surgeons dedicated to improving surgical care and patient outcomes. With approximately 90,000 members, it remains the largest surgical organization globally and plays a crucial role in promoting ethical surgical practices.

Dr. Ledgerwood’s achievements reflect her unwavering commitment to excellence in surgery and her dedication to paving the way for future generations of women in medicine. Her recognition with the Inspiring Women in Surgery Award highlights both her individual contributions and the broader impact of her work on the surgical community.