Christie Clinic Leadership Team

Kenneth Bilger

Chief Executive Officer

Kenny joined Christie Clinic in June 2008. In his role as CEO, he works in concert with the Board of Directors and leads the Administrative Team to set the strategic vision, implement change initiatives and direct the operations of the Clinic. Prior to assuming the role of CEO in September of 2014, Kenny was the Chief Financial Officer for Christie Clinic. Kenny received his MBA from the University of Illinois and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Dr. Candace McGregor

Chief Medical Officer

Dr. McGregor is a central Illinois native who received her Bachelor’s in Science from Millikin University and her Medical Doctorate from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. In her role as a Christie Obstetrician Gynecologist, she enjoys caring for women throughout the life stages including puberty, childbearing, and menopause. Her special interests include treating patients with opioid addiction and treating patients with infertility. She also serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor for the University of Illinois teaching 2nd and 3rd year medical students.

Zach Sehy, JD

Chief Operating Officer

Zach Sehy, JD has been with Christie Clinic since 2017 serving as General Counsel and Director of Risk Management. In 2019, Zach assumed the role of Director of Value-Based Care which includes overseeing and executing strategy for Christie Clinic’s operations as an Accountable Care Organization and its risk management and compliance operations.

Anni McClellan

Chief Financial Officer

Ms. McClellan has been with Christie Clinic since 1999 and previously served as Director of Fiscal and Business Services. Her responsibilities included leadership for the revenue cycle from patient check-in to payment deposit, as well as overall financial budgeting, record keeping, and reporting. Anni is a member of the MGMA, Illinois CPA Society, and AICPA. She received her bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Illinois.

Steven Damore, MD

Department of Radiation Oncology

In the Department of Radiation Oncology, Dr. Damore treats all adult cancers and has specialty experience with stereotactic treatment for brain, spinal, lung, and gastrointestinal cancers and brachytherapy for breast, prostate, and gynecological cancers. He completed medical school at Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO and his residency at University of California, Irvine, CA.

Eric Helfer, MD

Department of Urology

In the Department of Urology, Dr. Helfer treats diseases and malfunctions of the bladder, prostate, and kidneys in adults and children. He has been at Christie Clinic since 2006. He completed medical school at the University of Illinois College of Medicine, Peoria and his residency at the University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia.

Douglas Jones, MD, FACS

Department of General Surgery

Dr. Jones joined Christie Clinic in 2003. In the Department of General Surgery, Dr. Jones diagnoses and treats diseases or injuries requiring surgical care. In addition, he has a special medical interest in hepatobiliary, colon and rectal, breast, and laparoscopic surgery.

Michael Palazzolo, MD

Department of Pediatrics

In the Department of Pediatrics, Dr. Palazzolo diagnoses and treats childhood illnesses and promotes wellness care to aid in childhood and young adulthood development. In addition, he has special medical interests in newborn medicine and pediatric infectious diseases.

Krishnarao Tangella, MD MBA

Department of Pathology

Dr. Tangella joined Christie Clinic in 2003, following his residency at the University of Arizona, University Medical Center, Tucson. He received his MBA from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. In the Department of Pathology, Dr. Tangella interprets and diagnoses changes caused by disease in the tissues.

Danish Thameem, MD

Department of Pulmonary Medicine

Dr. Danish Thameem joined Christie Clinic in 2010 and is a pulmonologist with the Christie Clinic Department of Pulmonary Medicine. Dr. Thameem treats and cares for patients suffering from diseases of the lungs and respiratory system, emphysema, asthma, lung cancer, and pneumonia.

Sami S. Zabaneh, MD

Department of Internal Medicine

Before he joined Christie Clinic in 1995, Dr. Zabaneh served one year as chief medical resident at the University of Illinois College of Medicine. In the Department of Internal Medicine, Dr. Zabaneh diagnoses and treats non-surgical illnesses in adults.