Major Riordan Ledgerwood M.D., U.S. Army
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Major (Dr.) Riordan Ledgerwood has dedicated their life to healing others. Riordan’s groundbreaking career spans nearly a decade of service, from excelling as a resident at Walter Reed to serving as a Pediatric Hospitalist and Battalion Surgeon with the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Cavazos. As the first openly trans resident at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and the first transmasculine or non-binary physician promoted to Major in the U.S. military, Riordan's journey has been a rollercoaster of misery and joy, girded together with professional excellence, that led them to authenticity.
These achievements were far from certain. In 2019, while working grueling 80-hour weeks as a first-year Pediatric resident, Riordan faced the military’s trans ban, a policy forcing them to choose between their career and their identity. “I chose my career,” they recall, a decision that brought immense personal sacrifice. Despite the ban’s weight, Riordan’s determination never wavered. They graduated at the top of their residency class, earning the prestigious title of Pediatric Resident of the Year in 2021. When the trans ban was lifted that same year, Riordan finally began their transition. The change was transformative, not only physically but emotionally and professionally. “I am a better doctor. I am more patient. I am more caring. I am more understanding,” they reflect. “I can finally care for my patients as my whole self.” Their courage to live authentically has not only improved their practice but also inspired countless others in the military and medical communities. Today, Riordan mentors young medics, residents, and soldiers, paying forward the lessons of perseverance and compassion they’ve learned. Watching those mentees succeed is Riordan’s greatest gift. He knows he couldn’t have taken on that role without embracing his authenticity. He said, “I am better, because I am who I was always meant to be—a physician, an officer, who happens to be trans, and is finally, completely themself.” |