Walker was commissioned, making her the first female U.S. Army surgeon and the first woman physician employed by the military.
In September 1863, Mary Edwards Walker broke significant barriers by becoming the first woman to serve as a surgeon in the U.S. Army. She was commissioned as a "Contract Acting Assistant Surgeon" with the Army of the Cumberland, attached to the 52nd Ohio Volunteers. This appointment marked a remarkable 'first' in military history, as women were rarely admitted to such roles, and her presence illustrated a powerful challenge to gender norms of her time. Walker's dedication and medical skills paved the way for future generations of women in the military.