Our Team
Katie Beeson, BS, IBCLC
Katie earned her ASN in nursing in 2011 after working for 10 years as a stay at home mom, a nanny, a CNA and volunteering as a doula. After finding her nursing “home” in OB, she realized that she had a passion for helping moms who were struggling with breastfeeding. Not being impressed with the breastfeeding education that the formula reps were offering, she began seeking more education and was lucky enough to be mentored by an extremely experienced IBCLC who taught her what she needed to do to assist these moms as well as encouraged her to become an IBCLC. Katie returned to college to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Maternal Child Health with a focus in human lactation at Union Institute and University in Ohio and became an IBCLC shortly after. She offers an incredible depth of knowledge related to the physiology, physical act, and emotional aspects of infant feeding, oral restrictions and overall infant care. Katie is a strong advocate for supporting families in reaching their feeding goals and has helped countless women overcome obstacles in achieving breastfeeding success.
Katie is a founding member of MomSense and works to support the patients in our clinic with a very relaxed and “zenlike” approach- making sure that parents are empowered to make choices that work for the overall health and wellness of their family.
In recent years, Katie reunited with her childhood sweetheart, Tim, and the two joined families when they married in August. Together, they have 4 children spanning in ages from 20 to 7 years old. They enjoy spending time at their lake house and with their family and friends. Katie is also working towards becoming a certified yoga instructor and would love to bring prenatal and postnatal classes to MomSense----stay tuned!
Tracy Biggs MA, CCC-SLP, CLC, QOM
Tracy Biggs is a licensed Speech Language Pathologist, Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC), and Qualified Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist (QOM) dedicated to supporting individuals across the lifespan with communication, feeding, and orofacial function. With a holistic and evidence-based approach, she specializes in treating speech and language disorders, oral-motor and feeding difficulties, and orofacial myofunctional disorders.
Combining expertise in speech-language pathology with advanced training in lactation and myofunctional therapy, Tracy provides individualized care that addresses the root causes of communication and feeding challenges- from infancy through adulthood. Her clinical interests include tethered oral tissues (tongue and lip ties), early feeding development, feeding challenges, articulation and language disorders paired with collaborative care with medical and dental professionals. Tracy is passionate about empowering families and clients through education and interdisciplinary support.interests include outdoor activities of hiking and exploring, working on my farm with our dairy goats and supporting my kids in their athletic sports and 4-H careers.
Yuketa Bradshaw, Office Manager
As the front office manager at our clinic, Keta is the friendly face and organized mind that keeps everything running smoothly. With a strong background in healthcare administration and a genuine passion for helping others, she ensures that each client feels welcomed, supported, and informed from the moment they walk through our doors. Her attention to detail, warm demeanor, and commitment to excellent service make her an essential part of the care experience. Keta has been married to her high school sweetheart for 23 years! In her free time, she enjoys cooking, laughing, and spending time with her four daughters. She is also band and orchestra mom- GO BRICKIES!
Yalissa DeJesus
Yalissa is a licensed esthetician in both Illinois and Indiana, known for her passion for skincare and creating personalized, confidence-boosting treatments. With training from G Skin & Beauty Institute and a commitment to ongoing education, she helps clients achieve radiant, healthy skin through thoughtful care and fresh expertise.
Allison Fuerst, MS, RN, FNP-BC
Allison graduated as a Licensed Practical Nurse from Ivy Tech in 2009 and went on for her Associate degree in nursing in 2011. She decided to go back to complete her Bachelors Degree in Nursing at Purdue Calumet in 2015 and ultimately decided to pursue her Masters degree in nursing from Ball State University in 2020.
Allison started her nursing career working with dementia patients in an assisted living facility. As a registered nurse she worked in pediatrics for a year, but soon found her passion in labor and delivery and special care nursery, where she worked for eight years. Allison came to MomSense as a nurse practitioner and has had continued educational training on tethered oral tissue through The Breathe Institute and Dr. Lawrence Kotlow. She is board certified as a family nurse practitioner through the American Nursing Credentialing Center.
Allison is married to her best friend, Jeff and they live in Portage with their 4 children, two dogs, three cats, and rabbit. In her free time, she loves attending White Sox games, watching her oldest son play soccer, and just spending time with her family.
Kathleen Gale RN, IBCLC
Kathleen began her nursing career on a Medical Surgical unit, followed by the ICU and Pediatrics. After raising and homeschooling her 3 children, she discovered her love of working with moms and babies, and pursued her IBCLC.
Her personal experience with lactation did not start well. She did not get the help she needed and did what so many mothers do-attempted to fix things on her own. Then there was a good breastfeeding experience followed by another difficult one. So, she knows what it is like, when things are not going well, and what a difference it can make to have the right help.
In 2009, Kathleen became an IBCLC. For 2 years, she had her own business — The Baby Cafe-Lactation Consulting and Newborn Care. She then worked at Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago as the head of the Lactation department, caring for dyads, educating staff, mentoring IBCLC candidates, medical residents, assisting in the birth of an outpatient breastfeeding clinic, and leading the effort towards the Baby Friendly Hospital designation.
Kathleen lived in Tanzania for 4 1/2 years of her grade school years with her Medical Missionary parents and brothers. She has 3 adult children and 5 grandchildren who all live in Montana. In 2019, she and her husband Cory moved to Crown Point, IN. Kathleen continued to see breastfeeding dyads in their homes on a volunteer basis.
In 2024 she was delighted to join the Momsense team. She also has a ministry with the new mothers in her church family. She says it is a joy and a privilege to help young families meet their breastfeeding goals in this very special time of their lives.
Racquel (Jean) Krause RN, IBCLC
Racquel got her start in Maternal/Infant care as a nurse in Labor and Delivery, where she worked as a Labor Nurse, a Postpartum Nurse, a Nursery Nurse, and a Level 2 Nursery Nurse, as well as a Lactation Consultant for over 20 years.
After having worked with breastfeeding moms and babies her entire career, she decided to specialize in helping mothers with infant feeding, especially breastfeeding, so she became an IBCLC. Her personal experiences, both positive and negative, with breastfeeding were another big part of the reason that she decided to become an IBCLC. She realized that the difference between not achieving her breastfeeding goals and being able to reach them was a good support system, including an IBCLC, who became her mentor in lactation and a great friend.
She continues to educate herself in all areas of infant feeding, including oral restrictions, such as tongue tie, and the benefits of good supportive care and treatment. She strongly believes in Evidence-Based Care and informed parental choice.
Racquel is passionate about providing better resources in Northwest Indiana for moms, babies, and families. She is a Co-Chair of the NWI Breastfeeding Coalition with her coworker and friend, Katie Beeson, IBCLC.
She also loves to collaborate with the Indiana Breastfeeding Coalition to provide resources to help and connect moms and babies in Indiana.
Racquel has been married to her husband, Bob, for 35 years, and they have four grown boys.
When she isn’t providing care to her patients at MomSense, she enjoys spending her time hanging out with her family, being a sport mom, spending time at the lake, and snuggling with her dogs.
Meghan Islas BSN, RN
Meet our nurse injector Meghan! She has been a nurse for five years and is currently pursuing further education to become a nurse practitioner. She offers services in botox, IV therapy, vitamin shots, laser, and much more. She is passionate about making individuals feel and look their best! Her simple and natural approach enhances individuals' unique features, making them the best versions of themselves. Known for her positive and knowledgeable demeanor, she has created a safe and comfortable environment for clients.
In her spare time, you can find Meghan spending time with loved ones or cuddled up on the couch with her cat and dog, reading a book. She loves to travel and be outdoors in the sun. Meghan is married to her middle school sweetheart and hopes to one day live her dream farmlife. She is a huge advocate of self-care and prioritizes that in her everyday life! Book your next appointment with her today.
Karen Mannino, MSN, RN, FNP-BC
You know Karen — even if you have never met her. She has certainly never met a stranger. Her friendly, outgoing personality makes her an instant favorite with friends, family, and patients alike. Add to that the intelligent, practical mind behind those vivid blue eyes, and MomSense has scored another win by adding Karen to our staff. Since finishing nursing school, she has amassed a number of accomplishments, including a Masters Degree in Family Practice Nursing, and an MBA. Karen has spent a large majority of her 22-year nursing career in OB. As an RN, she worked LDRP, helping women through their labors and early postpartum days and all of the struggles that come with each. As an FNP, she has worked in the Women’s Diagnostic Center, coordinating breast health care, in oncology, and ultimately back to her roots in OB/Gyne, providing gynecological and perinatal care to her lucky patients.
Crystal Morgan, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC
Crystal is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with over 20 years of experience in women’s health. She earned both her Bachelor's and Master of Science in Nursing from Purdue University and holds dual board certifications from the AANP and ANCC. Her career began in labor and delivery, postpartum, and newborn care, where she developed a deep passion for maternal health and breastfeeding support.
A personal journey through breastfeeding challenges led Crystal to become an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and deepen her expertise in tethered oral tissues through training with The Breathe Institute. At MomSense, Optimum, and Just You Aesthetic Medicine, she blends her clinical expertise with a holistic approach, offering women’s health, frenotomies, and aesthetic medicine services that focus on prevention, wellness, and personalized care.
Crystal is a devoted wife and mother of four, with a love for travel, party planning, and relaxing by the water. She shares her life with her golden retriever, Cooper, and her grand pup, Charlie.