The Lightways Team
Our hospice and serious illness care team focuses on providing the best possible care to the patients and families who come to us.
Meet Our Team
Because of our excellent reputation in the community and unparalleled quality patient care, we have served over 32,000 patients since our founding in 1982.
Mary Kay Sheehan
Chief Executive Officer
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Mary Kay has been the CEO of Lightways since December of 2015. Mary has 32 years of experience in the hospice and palliative care industry in a variety of clinical, administrative, and consulting roles. With 18 years as an executive, she has broad knowledge regarding the clinical, financial, and operational aspects of both hospice and palliative care.
Mary has a master’s degree in oncology nursing from Loyola University and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. In the last 20 years, Mary has spoken regionally and nationally on end-of-life care. She has also served on many state and national committees and boards. She is currently serving as Chair of the Illinois Hospice & Palliative Care Organization’s Board of Directors, is a member of Joliet Rotary Club’s Board of Directors, and is Vice Chair of the National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization’s Legislative Committee.
Mary has been married for over 30 years to her husband John and they have two adult sons. Many weekends, John and Mary do ballroom dancing and compete with other amateurs.
Steven Crockett
Chief Finance Officer
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Steve Crockett is the Chief Financial Officer at Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care and brings more than two decades of expertise in financial management and strategic leadership. In this role, Steve oversees the organization’s financial operations with precision and dedication.
Before joining Lightways, Steve served for 17 years as CFO at IBM. During this tenure, Steve spearheaded initiatives that propelled revenue growth, identified lucrative growth opportunities, and cultivated strategic partnerships.
A graduate of DePaul University in Chicago, IL, Steve holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance with a focus on International Business, which laid the foundation for his career in financial management.
Steve has been married to Amanda for more than 10 years and has two sons and a daughter.
Tracey Durns
Chief Operations Officer
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Tracey Durns, MBA, CPHQ, is the Chief Operating Officer at Lightways Hospice & Serious Illness Care. In this role, Tracey provides executive leadership for all clinical programs and operational functions, ensuring that systems, processes, and teams are aligned to deliver exceptional patient care and support organizational growth. She oversees strategic planning, resource management, and operational performance, working closely with the CEO and leadership team to advance Lightways’ mission and values.
With more than 15 years of experience in healthcare operations and performance improvement, Tracey has a proven track record of driving efficiency, improving patient outcomes, and leading large-scale initiatives. Prior to joining Lightways, she served as Senior Director at Telligen, where she managed multimillion-dollar CMS programs, led cross-functional teams, and implemented strategies that improved care quality across multiple states.
Tracey holds an MBA from Concordia University and a BS in Healthcare Leadership from the University of St. Francis. She is a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ), a TeamSTEPPS Master Trainer, and a passionate advocate for operational excellence and patient-centered care.
Outside of work, Tracey serves as Baptism Lead at New City Church in Naperville. She enjoys spending time with her husband of 22 years and their five children. A creative at heart, she also handcrafts candles and body care products—combining her love for wellness, service, and craftsmanship.
Allison Gunnink
Senior Director of Quality, Compliance and Informatics
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Allison Gunnink, MBA, LPMT, MT-BC, (she/her) began working with Lightways in March 2018 as their first, full-time music therapist. In January 2022, Allison transitioned into the Clinical Outcomes Manager role and promoted to the Director of Clinical Information in January 2024. Allison has 14 years of experience in the hospice industry in both direct care and administrative roles. In this role, Allison oversees Lightways’ growing Integrative Therapies team, the electronic medical record system, and the collection and reporting of clinical outcomes.
Allison received her undergraduate degree in Music Therapy from Western Illinois University in 2010, and a Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in Health Services from the University of St. Francis in 2013. She has obtained certifications in Hospice & Palliative Care Music Therapy and NICU Music Therapy.
Allison believes in community involvement and has served in various capacities on multiple boards. Allison currently serves as Vice President of the Great Lakes Region of the American Music Therapy Association, as well as a Board Member for the Will County Board of Health. She is passionate about health equity and inclusivity within the healthcare field; she believes that person-centered care is crucial in healthcare to cultivate an environment in which people feel safe seeking support. Allison and her husband reside in Shorewood with their five spoiled cats.
Kathy Peterson
Sr. Director of Marketing & Business Development
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Kathy Peterson is the Senior Director of Marketing and Business Development at Lightways since she joined the agency in November 2023. Her responsibilities include brand management, strategic planning and community development.
Before joining Lightways, Kathy served for over 10 years in multiple roles including business development and hospital administration for the Ascension Healthcare System in Illinois. During her tenure, Kathy was responsible for program development, multiple marketing initiatives, project management, community outreach and strategic partnerships that resulted in increased revenue.
A graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago, Kathy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and Management with a focus on graphic design. In addition to serving on the Lightways Board, Kathy also serves on the Senior Services of Will County Board and Will County MAPP Collaborative. Kathy has been married for 27 years to her husband Eric and they have two children in college.
Patrick Belics
Director of Philanthropy
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Patrick Belics is the Director of Philanthropy at Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care, where he leads all aspects of fundraising strategy and donor engagement. With more than a decade of experience in development and relationship management, Patrick is dedicated to advancing Lightways’ mission through thoughtful philanthropy.
Before joining Lightways, Patrick served as Director of Development at the American Academy of Hospice & Palliative Medicine, where he built a comprehensive fundraising program encompassing annual giving, major gifts, grants, and planned giving. His leadership strengthened donor participation and established sustainable funding channels to support the organization’s growth.
A graduate of Roosevelt University in Chicago, Patrick holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts and is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE). Throughout his career, he has raised support for organizations across healthcare, education, and the arts, guided by the belief that meaningful giving begins with meaningful connection.
Patrick is passionate about inspiring generosity that transforms compassionate care into lasting impact for patients, families, and the community.
Dr. Muhamad Krad
Medical Director
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Dr. Krad is Medical Director of Lightways since July 2018. Dr. Krad is a specialist in Internal Medicine who for the previous year worked part time at Lightways while at Amita Health serving Adventist Hospitals in LaGrange and Hinsdale. Prior to this, Dr. Krad practiced both hospital and hospice medicine at Palos Health from 2011–2016. In his role as Lightways’ Medical Director, Dr. Krad provides expert pain management and symptom control while ensuring that every patient’s care wishes are honored, that the hospice team is supported, and the goals of care set for each patient are being achieved.
Dr. Krad graduated with honors from Loyola University Chicago, followed by a masters at Georgetown University and subsequently Loyola Stritch School of Medicine. He completed residency at the University of Chicago and has grown up and lived most of his life in the southwest suburbs of Chicago.
Dr. Krad and his wife Yassmean have four children between the ages of 12 and 4. In his personal time, he enjoys spending quality time with family.
Dr. Marlen Ortega Cruz,
Assistant Medical Director
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Dr. Ortega Cruz has been the Assistant Medical Director of Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care since April 2025. Dr. Ortega Cruz previously worked at Journey Care Hospice’s Inpatient Unit at Rush Medical Center, located in Chicago’s medical district. In her role at Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care, Dr. Ortega Cruz provides expert symptom management for patients receiving hospice care in their homes, nursing facilities, or at the inpatient unit located in Joliet. She also oversees and provides medical management for the hospice team, ensuring that patients and their families are supported and their care plan goals are met.
Dr. Ortega Cruz grew up on the south side of Chicago and now lives in the Chicago southwest suburb of Burbank. She graduated with honors from Saint Xavier University in Chicago and subsequently attended the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine. She completed an internal medicine and pediatric residency at Tulane University Medical Center and Clinics in New Orleans followed by fellowship in Hospice and Palliative Medicine at Harvard Medical School Hospitals and Clinics in Boston.
Dr. Ortega Cruz has one stepdaughter with her husband, Daniel, along with their family dog Pancho. They enjoy spending time with their extended family, gardening, and traveling throughout the country and Mexico.
Chris Kelly
Senior Director of Hospice Services
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Chris Kelly is the Director of Clinical Services at Lightways. Chris joined Lightways in 2011, and for the first five years worked as an RN in the Hospice Home inpatient unit, learning the hospice culture and developing symptom management skills. She was promoted to Inpatient Unit Manager helping to lead the staff in providing quality patient care, and assisting in the design of the capital project for the addition and renovation of the Lightways inpatient unit. Recently, Chris has moved to the position of Director of Clinical Services where she oversees the clinical staff in both the inpatient unit and the field.
Prior to joining Lightways, Chris worked at Sunny Hill Nursing Home as a House Supervisor where she supervised and coordinated all nursing staff in various departments as needed.
Chris has three adult sons with her husband of over 30 years and lives in Manhattan.
Annette McNamara
Senior Director of Admissions and Clinical Services
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Annette has served as the Director of Referrals and Admissions for Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care since March 2021.
Annette began her career as a Regional Operations Manager for a major ocean shipping company in 1988, she developed a robust foundation in operations and logistics. She and her husband owned two businesses, owning and operating a trucking company from 2001 – 2017, and a small carry out restaurant from 2011 – 2022.
In 2006, Annette’s mother was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer and died while on hospice care. This is when she found her true calling for nursing and returned to school and began a career in nursing.
She earned her associate degree in nursing at Joliet Junior College in 2015 and earned a a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Western Governors University. After beginning her nursing career in oncology, she steadily found her way to hospice care. Annette began her career at Lightways as an admissions RN and progressed into the role of the Director.
Annette is grateful for the opportunity to work alongside dedicated, compassionate individuals and is always open to connecting with others in the healthcare field or anyone interested in a career transition.
Kayce Riordan
Director of Hospice Services North
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Kayce Riordan is the Director of Hospice Services North. She started with Lightways in February 2025 and is responsible for the expansion of our adult hospice services to our licensed counties in Northern Illinois.
Kayce discovered her love for hospice as a nursing student in 2010 after she decided to switch professions and return to school to pursue her MSN at Rush University. She started in the Emergency Department of a Chicago safety net hospital as a staff nurse before becoming the Educational and Pediatric Quality Coordinator and, eventually, the ED manager. In 2015, she decided she could not deny her passion any longer, she obtained a leadership position in hospice, and she hasn’t looked back. Kayce is particularly passionate about the role of leaders in setting employees up for success. She completed her DNP in Transformative Systems Leadership from Rush University in 2022, and she enjoys using the skills she obtained to further the application of best practice to the world of hospice.
On a personal note, Kayce’s spiritual upbringing led her to seek meaningful connections early in life with nature, animals and humans alike. She maintains these connections through involvement with organizations dedicated to helping others in any and every way possible to promote fulfillment of authenticity and connection to our higher selves.
Jessica Dietz
Director of Joliet Inpatient Unit
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Jessica Dietz joined Lightways in 2025 as the Director of the Inpatient Unit (IPU). Prior to her role at Lightways, Jessica spent 18 years at Silver Cross Hospital, where she held a variety of nursing and leadership positions. She began her career as a cardiac nurse before transitioning into a unit manager role. After growing her family, Jessica served as a clinical resource nurse, floating to various departments within the hospital. In 2015, she was promoted to House Supervisor, where she excelled in problem-solving, staffing, bed management, and administrative duties.
Jessica holds a Master’s in Business Administration from Western Governors University, a Bachelor’s in Nursing from the University of Phoenix, and an Associate’s in Nursing from Kankakee Community College. She is also a Certified Medical-Surgical Nurse through the American Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses.
Outside of her professional responsibilities, Jessica serves as a board director for the Wilmington 209-U Foundation of Excellence, which provides scholarships to local high school seniors. She has successfully run three political campaigns and actively volunteers with several local community organizations.
Jessica has been married for 18 years to her husband, Ben, and they reside in Wilmington with their three sons and golden doodle.
Patrice Martin
Director of Grief Support
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Patrice Martin is the Director of Grief and Integrative Therapies. In this role, Patrice oversees Lightways’ Grief Support, Child Life Specialist, and Integrative Therapies Programs. Patrice earned a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 9 years’ experience as a Social Worker in Foster Care and over 15 years’ experience as a Hospice Social Worker.
Patrice enjoys providing education to staff, interns and community members and is currently a member of ILHPCO’s Education Committee as well as other community coalitions focusing on improving supportive care in Illinois. Patrice is the proud mother of a daughter and enjoys gardening, traveling and spending time with family and friends.
Sue Schaller
Director of Human Resources
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Sue Schaller is the Senior Director of Human Resources at Lightways. Sue is responsible for recruitment, compensation, benefits administration, employee orientation, worker’s compensation, and short-term disability. Sue has over 25 years’ experience in Human Resources working in both union and non-union environments. Sue came to Lighways in 2003 as the first Director of Human Resources for the organization.
Prior to joining Lighways, Sue worked for several large transportation companies in the Human Resource Department. These included Terminal Freight Handling Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears, and American President Lines, a Fortune 500 international transportation company. Sue also was a Human Resources contractor working at Exelon Nuclear, Budget and Underwriter’s Laboratories.
Sue received an Associate in Applied Science from Joliet Junior College and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Lewis University. Sue is a member of the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM).
Sue is a life-long equestrian who after years of showing horses, now enjoys weekend trail rides with friends. Her Plainfield home (and barn) accommodates her two horses, Dreamer and Toby, well.
Miguel Espinoza
Director of Information Technology
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Miguel Espinoza joined Lightways in June 2018 as Information Technology (IT) Director, where he is responsible for directing all aspects of IT. Miguel works in conjunction with Lightways Senior Leadership and Directors to identify new technologies and provide solutions aligned with the business purpose. Miguel’s expertise includes project management, business analysis and process improvement. Miguel’s career extends nearly 20 years, all dedicated to the nonprofit sector.
Prior to joining Lightways, he served as IT Manager with Horizon Hospice. Horizon Hospice merged with JourneyCare and Midwest Palliative & Hospice Care Center in 2015 and he was promoted to Service Desk Lead-Manager. Miguel’s early career was Senior IT Manager at St. Vincent De Paul Center Child Care where he was responsible for infrastructure and technology to support the Center.
Miguel earned a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology from University of Phoenix. Miguel became a group fitness instructor in 2008 and enjoys teaching Latin Fusion, Cardio Kickboxing and No Limits at Lifetime Fitness. He resides in Romeoville with husband, Juan.
Gregg McCarty
Director of Facilities
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Gregg McCarty is the Director of Facilities & Safety Manager and has been with Lightways since 2008. Gregg has over 30 years of management experience in various fields.Gregg started his career as a District Manager for a gas station-convenience store chain at the age of 20. Gregg was the only District Manager hired under the age of 25 in the company’s history. Gregg has received numerous awards over the years for his accomplishments.
Gregg has 5 children & 2 grandchildren. Gregg & Melissa have been together for 11 years. Gregg & Melissa are active in community & church activities.