Dr. Anna Marie Ledgerwood, a prominent trauma surgeon, has been honored with the 2025 Dr. Mary Edwards Walker Inspiring Women in Surgery Award by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) for her significant contributions to trauma care. The prestigious award will be presented by ACS President Beth H. Sutton, MD, FACS, during the Convocation ceremony on October 4, 2025, ahead of the ACS Clinical Congress in Chicago, Illinois.
This award recognizes individuals who have advanced women’s roles in the surgical profession. 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 underscores Dr. Ledgerwood’s impact in a traditionally male-dominated field.
Key Contributions to Trauma Care
Dr. Ledgerwood serves as a general and trauma surgeon at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, Michigan. Her involvement with the ACS began in 1987 when she joined the Committee on Trauma Verification, Review, and Consultation. This initiative has established the framework for verifying trauma centers across the United States, including the first Level I trauma center in Michigan, Detroit Receiving Hospital.
The verification program, influenced by Dr. Ledgerwood’s design and implementation efforts, has contributed to a marked decrease in mortality rates for both adult and pediatric trauma patients. Her work has not only shaped trauma care practices at her institution but also across the state and nation.
Leadership and Mentorship
A Fellow of the ACS since 1975, Dr. Ledgerwood has held various leadership roles, including president of the ACS Michigan Chapter and a member of the Board of Governors. She made history as the first woman to deliver the Scudder Oration on Trauma in 1996 and has been a trailblazer for women in surgery.
Throughout her 40-year career as a full professor, Dr. Ledgerwood has gained a reputation for her dedication to mentoring students and junior colleagues. She was the first woman president of several esteemed organizations, including the Academy of Surgery of Detroit and the Midwest Surgical Association.
Dr. Ledgerwood’s accomplishments continue to inspire future generations of surgeons, highlighting the importance of leadership and mentorship in advancing the field of surgery.
As the ACS prepares to celebrate Dr. Ledgerwood’s achievements, her commitment to trauma care and the advancement of women in surgery serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing evolution within the medical profession.