On Jun. 1, 1881, Walter Wyman began service as Supervising Surgeon (renamed U.S. Surgeon General in 1902). He was to remain at the helm of the Marine Hospital Service for 20 years.

During Wyman’s tenure, the Marine Hospital Service significantly expanded its responsibilities, and in 1902 was renamed the Public Health and Marine Hospital Service. As a result of immigration legislation passed on Mar. 3, 1891, shortly before Wyman took office, the Marine Hospital Service was assigned responsibility for the medical inspection of arriving immigrations.