The Laksmi Project
The Laksmi Project connects you with opportunities to create, cultivate, and sustain regenerative resources to thrive.
Healing Through Nature: A Closer Look
An Activation Event | Hosted by Suzanne Malec-McKenna, Joe Ferguson, and Mirja Spooner Haffner
On Thursday, November 13th, we gathered to celebrate the mission of Brushwood Center in conversation with Martha Twaddle, MD (Northwestern Medicine), Arianna Soheil (Fenix Family Health Center), and Jess Rodriguez (Reciprocal Forest Bathing). The program included a Forest Bathing Session with Jess Rodriguez, followed by conversation with Dr. Martha Twaddle, Arianna Soheil, and Jess Rodriguez on the importance of nature based interventions in healthcare.
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Director of Palliative Care, Northwestern | Panelist
Dr. Martha Twaddle combines nearly forty years of experience in the care of seriously ill people and their families in a variety of areas of service. She currently serves as the Medical Director for Palliative Care for the Northwestern Health System and previously as the Waud Family Medical Director for Palliative Medicine & Supportive Care for the Northwestern North Region 2018-2025. Her academic work includes developing curriculum, guidelines, and models of care for healthcare professionals to provide care for the seriously ill in all settings. Dr. Twaddle is also a Board Member of Brushwood Center.
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CEO, Fenix Family Health Center | Panelist
Serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Fenix Family Health Center since March 2025, following five years as Chief Operating Officer. Arianna has played a pivotal role in Fenix's growth and impact, guiding the organization’s growth into a leading provider of comprehensive, barrier-free healthcare across Lake County.
Beyond Fenix, Arianna serves on the Board of Directors for the Illinois Association of Free and Charitable Clinics and the Endeavor Health Community Leaders Advisory Board, where she continues to champion equitable access to care and collaborative community health initiatives across Illinois.
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Forest Bathing Guide, Reciprocal Forest Bathing | Panelist
Jess Rodriguez is a Chicago based forest bathing guide certified through the Association of Nature and Forest Bathing. Jessica is dedicated to opening the doors to holistic wellness by offering opportunities for others to practice presence with themselves, their community, and their environment. Jessica is currently the Coalition Building Manager at Brushwood Center, where they are focused on integrating nature-based solutions into the health care system through their project known as TIERRA.
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Executive Director, Brushwood Center | Moderator
Catherine Game leads Brushwood Center’s organizational strategy to advance health equity and access to the outdoors through community action, partnerships, and the arts. She is passionate about improving the health of people and nature, and activating the power of community to bridge social divides, foster inclusion, and empower change.
Brushwood Center
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Follow @brushwoodcenter on social
Sign up for our weekly e-news, The Brushwood Buzz for the latest events + programs.
Contact Executive Director, Catherine Game cgame@brushwoodcenter.org for more information on Brushwood’s mission.
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Brushwood Center‘s innovative approach to health equity is already impacting 20,000 people each year.
This $10 million comprehensive campaign activates Brushwood Center’s mission further. With your help, we will triple our reach, and drive systems change.
Learn more about Activate: A Campaign for Investment in Community here, or contact Catherine Game, Brushwood Center’s Executive Director, cgame@brushwoodcenter.org.
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The Health, Equity, and Nature Accelerator activates equitable nature-based solutions through community and healthcare partnerships.
Brushwood is designing and launching TIERRA (Transforming Internal Experiences for Resilience and Restoration through Acceptance), a research-informed, nature-based training program for Community Health Workers to address trauma, health, and environmental injustices in Lake County, IL.
Learn more & read Brushwood’s Health, Equity, and Nature Report, here.
Fenix Family Health Center
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Follow @fenixclinic
Contact Arianna Soheil with any questions, ideas, or to support Fenix at arianna@fenixclinic.org
Learn more here
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Fenix is expanding access to comprehensive dental and prenatal services to ensure families in Lake County receive high-quality, affordable care close to home. These new programs reflect our commitment to supporting the whole person—mind, body, and family. fenixclinic.org/donate
Read Fenix’s Fall/Winter Report here.
Reciprocal Forest Bathing
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Follow @reciprocalforestbathing
Stay up to date, and learn more about the practice here
To contact Jess Rodriguez about forest bathing, email reciprocalforestbathing@gmail.com
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Open to the public forest bathing walks!
Morton Arboretum on December 19th and Brushwood Center on December 21st guided by Jess Rodriguez. Come witness the gift that nature is, and see how nature can be woven into many aspects of daily life.
Northwestern Medicine
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Northwestern Medicine, Lake Forest Hospital
Northwestern Medicine proudly opened the current Lake Forest Hospital in March 2018. This state-of-the-art facility continues a long-standing commitment to deliver world-class medicine to the region, while using its natural surroundings to create a healing, tranquil environment for our patients, visitors and staff.
The hospital features advanced technology and increased privacy for patients and visitors. It is part of a redeveloped campus that provides access to primary, specialty and emergency care, as well as a seamless pathway to specialty care from throughout the Northwestern Medicine health system. This includes access to leading-edge clinical trials through Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, an integration that also fosters an environment of academic inquiry and innovative research.
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Palliative Medicine And Supportive Care at Northwestern Medicine provides care and assistance for a broad range of physical, emotional, spiritual and social concerns that patients and loved ones may face.
Northwestern Medicine is committed to access to care and community engagement, partnering with community organizations, supporting initiatives that reduce violence, and addressing trauma to build safer communities.
LP. Activations
Bespoke Events & Programs
Curated by the LP., Activations are tailored to your goals to build relationships and engagement for your fundraiser, work, project, or mission.
Mirja Spooner // Curator of Connection
Meet Your Host
Mirja Catherine Laksmi Spooner is a development leader, host, and founder of The Laksmi Project. Mirja works as a connector to cultivate relationships, engagements, and opportunities that contribute to a more abundant world. Her work lives at the intersection of community connection, strategic development, and financial engagement.
Mirja spent her career working in the arts in New York City and was the Director of Development at the Neue Galerie New York. Additionally, she worked in development at the Art Institute of Chicago raising capital funds for the Modern Wing. Mirja is a board member of The Renaissance Society, and Hyde Park Art Center. She is the Board Chair of the ChiArts Foundation, the philanthropic partner to Chicago's only public arts high school, The Chicago High School for the Arts. Mirja holds a BA in American Studies from Barnard College/Columbia University.
Mirja is currently the Director of Development at Brushwood Center, a health and nature non-profit in Lake County, IL. In 2022, Mirja started The Laksmi Project. The LP. works with organizations and individuals to create and sustain enriching connections that optimize their assets, and exceed their goals.