LP. Activation

Brushwood Center

Healing Through Nature: A Closer Look

Hosted by Suzanne Malec-McKenna, Joe Ferguson, and Mirja Spooner Haffner

A gathering 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

The LP., in partnership with Brushwood Center, is working to raise funds to support Activate: A Campaign for Investment in Community. We invite you to donate, or share about this effort with your community!

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  • "I loved the energy in the room: a microcosm of the culture of care, compassion, and can-do spirit that we can each bring forward for greater good in our communities."

    CATHERINE GAME

    Executive Director, Brushwood Center

  • "What a soulful and enlightening evening! I was so impressed with the leadership and innovation. Collectively, these models offer solutions at scale for so many organizations. And none of this seemed to be at the expense of prudent fiscal practice, which is so often what is claimed when organizations create alternative models."

    ACTIVATION PARTICIPANT

Activate: A Campaign for Investment in Community

Brushwood Center knows the healing power of nature through community and the arts.  They are currently in the process of doubling down on their work, given the increased threats to communities, the environment, and the arts.

Activate: A Campaign for Investment in Community, is a comprehensive fundraising campaign in order to expand our programs and reach supporting youth, families, Veterans, and communities across our region.

This $10 million campaign is two fold: 1) programmatic expansion, and 2) critical renovations to Brushwood Center’s primary space in the Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ACTIVATE