Jorge Kattah, MD, Honored as Inaugural Recipient of Lawrance and Pauline Wallden Chair in Neuroscience
Introduction
The Peoria regional campus celebrated the investiture of Jorge Kattah, MD, as the inaugural recipient of the Lawrance “Larry” and Pauline Wallden Chair in Neurology. The ceremony was held August 11, 2026, at the Country Club of Peoria.
Dr. Kattah serves as professor and head of the Department of Neurology where he is director of academic programs, and he also serves as professor of neurosurgery at University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria.
Vice Dean of the University of Illinois College of Medicine Heather Prendergast, MD, said, “Tonight we honor an extraordinary physician, educator and researcher whose career has advanced the fields of neurology and neuro-opthalmalogy while also recognizing the remarkable generosity of Pauline Wallden and her family while celebrating the enduring legacy of Larry Wallden.”
Regional Dean of the Peoria Campus Meenakshy Aiyer said, “Through his contributions to clinical care, education and research, Dr. Kattah has strengthened our understanding of neurological disease and improved the lives of countless patients and families. His career reflects the excellence, integrity, and dedication that define academic medicine.”
A valued member of the Peoria community, Larry Wallden was a leader, advocate and champion for individuals living with neurological disease. His life was defined not by the challenges he faced, but by the difference he made for others. His legacy reflects courage, compassion, and a commitment to ensuring that patients and families affected by multiple sclerosis would have access to better care, stronger support, and continued scientific discovery. He paid a pivotal role in strengthening the Peoria-area MS community.
An endowed chair connects the vision and generosity of donors to the innovation, discovery and compassionate care that enhances academic medicine. Such endowments provide financial support to faculty for advance their work in teaching, scholarship, research and discovery that also honor the legacy of its namesake.