The University of Iowa Health Care: Exhibits Throughout the Hospital

Treating War's Wounds: Innovations in Medicine from the Civil War

Dr. Mary Walker,
Assistant Surgeon of the Civil War

Dr. Mary Walker was the only woman formally appointed as assistant surgeon during the Civil War. Known for her resolute determination to provide care for the wounded and her unapologetic habit of wearing men's pants, Dr. Walker frequently encountered skeptics who doubted the capabilities of women surgeons.

7. Dr. Mary Walker
Courtesy of Captain Barbara A. Wilson, USAF (Ret).
Home page = http://userpages.aug.com/captbarb/index.html
Walker page = http://userpages.aug.com/captbarb/walker.html

During the war and in the years following, she became a spokesperson
for gender equity and dress reform, and was featured on the cover of a
London newspaper in her surgeon's uniform. On the difficulty of
receiving a formal appointment as assistant surgeon she wrote, "I confess
myself unable to see how respectable men can allow a laundress to go with
their regiment, and shake their wise heads at the respectability of an educated
lady acting as surgeon." Dr. Walker volunteered her medical services for more
than two years before receiving an appointment to the 52nd Ohio Regiment as
an assistant surgeon, which she served until the war's end.

8. Dr. Mary Walker
Courtesy of Captain Barbara A. Wilson, USAF (Ret).
Home page = http://userpages.aug.com/captbarb/index.html
Walker page = http://userpages.aug.com/captbarb/walker.html">

The war provided a unique opportunity
for Walker and other female caregivers
to enter into roles that had previously
been exclusive to males. She remains
today the only female recipient of the
Congressional Medal of Honor.

9. Medal of Honor awarded to Dr. Mary Walker
Courtesy of Captain Barbara A. Wilson, USAF (Ret).
Home page = http://userpages.aug.com/captbarb/index.html
Walker page = http://userpages.aug.com/captbarb/walker.html

10. Dr. Mary Walker
Courtesy of Captain Barbara A.
Wilson, USAF (Ret).
Home page=http://userpages.aug.com/
captbarb/index.html
Walker page=http://userpages.aug.
com/captbarb/walker.html

11. Dr. Mary Walker
Courtesy of Captain Barbara A. Wilson,
USAF (Ret).
Home page=http://userpages.aug.com/
captbarb/index.html
Walker page=http://userpages.aug.com/
captbarb/walker.html

Treating Wars Wounds Home

Last modification date: Mon Jun 5 13:48:02 2006
URL: http://www.uihealthcare.com /depts/medmuseum/wallexhibits/civilwar/walker.html

Dr. Mary Walker, Assistant Surgeon of the Civil War

Dr. Mary Walker,
Assistant Surgeon of the Civil War