Leadership Team

Meet the Lighthouse Leadership Team

At Lighthouse Hospice and Palliative Care, our leadership team is made up of passionate, experienced professionals who lead with heart, purpose, and a deep commitment to quality care. Each team member brings their unique strengths—from clinical expertise and operations to community outreach and team support—all working together to create a compassionate, patient-centered environment. Guided by a shared vision, we’re here to serve with dignity, integrity, and love—every step of the way.

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        Kathy Birsa-Smith MSW, LSW CEO

        Kathy Smith is the CEO of Lighthouse Hospice & Palliative Care and the visionary heart behind its mission. With over 37 years of experience as a hospice social worker and leader, Kathy has dedicated her life to building compassionate, high-quality hospice programs that support both patients and the teams who care for them. A true servant leader, mentor, and educator, she is known for inspiring others with her deep empathy, strong values, and forward-thinking approach to end-of-life care. Kathy is passionate about creating a workplace culture where staff feel valued, and families feel truly supported. Outside of work, she enjoys camping, whittling, and spending time with her beloved service animal and pride and joy—Teddy. Her leadership continues to shape the future of hospice, one meaningful connection at a time. 
        

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        Christina Grzybowski RN, CDP Clinical Director

        Say Hello to Christina, Our Rockstar Clinical Director. With 15 years of nursing experience under her belt, Christina brings a wealth of clinical expertise and compassion to her role. She’s a skilled nursing specialist, a certified dementia practitioner, and for the past 6 years, she’s been all-in on hospice care—leading both our North and South teams with heart, humor, and high standards. When she’s not coordinating care or mentoring nurses, you’ll find her cheering from the sidelines, jamming out at live music shows, or snuggled up with a dog or two on the couch. Christina is the perfect mix of clinical savvy and couch cuddles, and we’re lucky to have her. 
        

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        Vince Immordino Director of Operations

        Meet Vince, Director of Operations Extraordinaire. With a degree in accounting and over 7 years of experience as a CFO in the hospice world, Vince brings both heart and hustle to every corner of the organization. As the go-to expert for payroll, accounts receivable/payable, and all things IT, he keeps the back office running like a well-oiled machine. When he’s not balancing budgets or troubleshooting a printer, you’ll find him fostering dogs and finding joy in lending a helping hand to others. Equal parts numbers guy and people person, Vince is passionate about making a difference—both in the workplace and the community. 

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        Trista Skarlupka SPHR Human Resources Director

        Trista Skarlupka serves as the Human Resources Manager at Lighthouse Hospice Care, bringing a strong background in HR since 2018. She holds a degree in Human Services with a concentration in Training and Development from Dominican University. Trista is passionate about cultivating a welcoming workplace culture, supporting the growth and development of staff, and building efficient systems and processes that support the organization’s mission. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time on the water, nurturing her garden and houseplants, and expressing herself through dance. 

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        Judy Pauly Director of Business Development 

         Judy Pauly is the Director of Business Development at Lighthouse Hospice & Palliative Care, where she brings energy, organization, and creativity to every part of her role. With a background in healthcare marketing and outreach, she works closely with the team to turn Kathy’s vision into action and ensure families feel supported every step of the way. Judy loves building genuine connections and keeping everyone engaged—whether it’s in a meeting or out in the community. Outside of work, she enjoys making fine art for others and unwinding with her favorite video games. For Judy, every day at Lighthouse is an opportunity to make a difference, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.  

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        Michelle Wrona Director of Healthcare Billing, Credentialing, and Contracts

        Michelle Wrona is the Director of Healthcare Billing, Credentialing, and Contracts at Lighthouse Hospice & Palliative Care, bringing over 15 years of experience in hospice operations with a strong focus on financial health and billing excellence. Known for her past success as a top state marketer, Michelle has also helped launch Lighthouse Hospice from the ground up, giving her a deep understanding of what it takes to build and sustain high-quality care from behind the scenes. Her expertise in billing systems, contract management, and regulatory compliance plays a vital role in keeping Lighthouse running smoothly and efficiently. Outside of work, Michelle is a social butterfly who loves gardening, working in her yard, and spending time with her children and friends. She brings not only knowledge and precision to her role—but also a whole lot of heart. 

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        Natalie Bonner MSN, RN Director of Admissions

        Meet Natalie, Our Admissions Director, and Eternal Advocate for Doing Hospice the Right Way. With 35 years of nursing experience—30 of those in hospice—Natalie has pretty much done it all: from ICU and open-heart recovery to case management, business development, and nurse education. She’s been a clinical liaison, an ER manager, and now leads our admissions with the perfect blend of heart, skill, and wisdom. In a world where compassion fatigue runs high, Natalie has found her calling in a place where hospice is done the right way—deeply personal, always with dignity, and never without heart. When she’s off the clock, you’ll likely find her on a bike ride, in the garden, on a yoga mat, cooking, or enjoying a glass of wine. Family, fresh air, good books, and good food keep her grounded—and her passion keeps us all inspired. 
        

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        Bonnie Engeriser BSN, RN South Team Director

        Bonnie Engeriser is our South Team Leader. She has a rich background in critical care, geriatrics, and leadership roles, Bonnie brings a wealth of clinical experience to the table. She’s the calm in the storm and the voice of reason when things get tough—always encouraging the team to pause, reflect, and see every angle before jumping to solutions. Her passion for patient relations and family-centered care shines through in everything she does. Known for her deep faith and warm spirit, she starts each week with heartfelt devotions that set a tone of purpose and compassion. And don’t be surprised if you hear laughter echoing down the hallway—she believes that joy and humor are just as important as clinical skill in creating a thriving workplace. With her at the helm, the South Team is in great hands—and great company. 

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        Christine Smith BSN, RN North Team Director

        Christine is a longtime hospice RN with 15+ years of experience and a passion for doing hospice right. She’s all about dignity, comfort, and making sure patients and families feel supported. A natural mentor and teacher, she’s excited to help lead and grow the North Team. Outside of work? Christine’s happy place is anywhere near water—with her motorhome, garden, fishing pole, and grandkids.  
        

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        Juli Jones- Aviles RN Quality Assurance

        Juli works as the Quality Assurance RN holding degrees from Northeastern IL University and Harper College. Backgrounds in different areas of nursing, as well as in other fields contribute to her ability to communicate and work well with people.  She is proud to be an Air Force veteran.  Her outside interests include spending time with her family (including her dog, Maui) and friends, traveling, quilting, and gardening.