Dr. Kathryn Anne Altonji, a dedicated physician specializing in brain injury medicine and a beloved figure at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, passed away at the age of 34 on October 8, 2024. As reported by the Chicago Sun-Times, Dr. Altonji, lovingly known as Katy, was a rising talent in her field who had achieved her dream role working with patients who sustained traumatic brain injuries. Her untimely death follows a battle with advanced-stage colon cancer, diagnosed shortly after the start of the year, an illness she faced with unwavering determination and concern for others, even in her final moments.
The diagnosis came as a stark reversal of fortune for a young doctor known for her leadership and commitment to care. Dr. Altonji took a lead role in training young doctors in her specialty, but her fight with cancer sadly cut short what was shaping up to a promising career and a vibrant family life, leaving behind her husband Jonathan Wolleben and their son Matthew. Wolleben, a biotech analyst, had explored every avenue to find treatments to prolong her life, including experimental immunotherapy, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Despite these efforts, however, Dr. Altonji succumbed to the disease.
Before attending medical school, Dr. Altonji graduated from Indiana University with honors and completed her medical training at the Medical College of Wisconsin. The Chicago Sun-Times further detailed her professional journey, which included a residency and a fellowship at prestigious institutions and culminated in a meaningful career at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. There, she not only practiced medicine at an expert level but also provided inspiration to her peers and hope to her patients.
Her life beyond the lab was filled with joy and generosity, as she embraced her roles as a mother and a vibrant community presence. Whether it was through the simple act of sharing gifts or the more profound task of connecting with fellow cancer patients for support and comfort, Dr. Altonji's compassion shone brightly. "She loved caring for patients, people with traumatic brain injuries who may never move again, some who might be able to communicate with only their eyes," Wolleben told the Chicago Sun-Times.
As noted in her obituary published by the Chicago Tribune, a visitation for Dr. Altonji is scheduled for October 25, 2024, at Donnellan Family Funeral Services, followed by a memorial Mass the next day at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Glenview. In the wake of her passing, a memorial fund has been established in her name at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab to honor her passion for medicine and to support resident physicians in their research endeavors.
Dr. Altonji's life, though tragically brief, has left a lasting impact on those she reached through her medical practice, community engagement, and the profound bonds of family and friendship. Across all these facets of life, it is clear that Dr. Altonji's legacy will continue to inspire those who had the privilege of knowing her and will resonate within the field of medicine where she devoted her life's work.
