Meet the Well Rooted Team

Jessica Pawlicki is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, best-selling author, and the visionary founder of Well-Rooted, a holistic healthcare practice rooted in the mission of uncovering and addressing the root cause of illness across all ages. With a deep commitment to whole-person care, Jessica blends conventional and functional medicine to serve families seeking answers beyond the surface. Jessica earned her nursing degree from Chamberlain College of Nursing and her Family Nurse Practitioner degree from Olivet Nazarene University. Alongside launching Well-Rooted, she also served as a graduate-level instructor, sharing her knowledge and passion with the next generation of nurse practitioners. She is a proud member of the American Holistic Nurses Association, standing firmly in her belief that true healing integrates mind, body, and spirit. She holds training and certifications in several areas in Functional Medicine including a Certified Mold Provider, which she achieved after dealing with mold illness herself. As a contributor to the best-selling book Slaying Chicago, Jessica’s story continues to inspire women to rise above adversity and step fully into their purpose. Beyond her professional achievements, Jessica is a devoted wife and mother of two, homeschooling her children while keeping up with the energy and excitement of their travel sports schedule. When she’s not seeing patients or teaching, you can find Jessica enjoying the simplicity of homesteading, exploring new places with her family, or dreaming up new ways to empower others through holistic living. Well-Rooted began as a vision and has grown into a thriving, purpose-driven practice—proving that when passion meets intention, healing happens at the root.

Jacki Liggett APRN, FNP-C, FPA is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner credentialed through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Goshen College and began her career in pediatrics. Later she pursued her Master’s degree in Nursing at Olivet Nazarene University and recently completed an Integrative Health and Lifestyle Program at the University of Arizona Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine. Believing that health is addressed through all aspects of life, Jacki guides patients to achieve wellbeing through an integrative approach.

Victoria Schmitt APRN, FNP-C is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner and credentialed through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing as well as Master’s degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner from Chamberlain College of Nursing. She prides herself on creating a non-toxic lifestyle at home with her family and incorporates an integrative and holistic approach into her practice with her patients.

Valerie Imber MS, APRN, FNP-BC is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner. She started out her medical career as a registered nurse in the emergency department for six and a half years. She loved the fast paced environment, but quickly realized they were often lacking adequate treatments and instead, giving the band-aid approach. Meanwhile, her body rapidly started to fall apart; developing new autoimmune diseases, mold toxicity, hormonal disruptions, and plenty of gut issues to name a few. She was gaslighted by every doctor she went to, which led her down the rabbit hole of figuring these things out on her own, through extensive scientific research. She then became a Nurse Practitioner through Lewis University, determined to change the medical field forever. Right out of school, she began working in functional medicine, working with complex medical mysteries. With this and healing her own body, she fell more in love with root-cause medicine. Her previous ER career, love for kids, and five year-old-twin niece and nephew all inspired her to shift her world to pediatrics, where she feels she can make the biggest impact. Valerie believes in integrating tools from both spectrums of traditional and alternative medicine and enjoys the puzzle-piecing it takes to understand how and why diseases occur. She has recognized that our bodies are made up of a complex interconnected web of biological systems and processes that require individualized and tailored treatment plans. With your collaboration, data, and time, she will do everything in her power to get the root of your health issues.

Kinga Kalucki APRN, FNP-BC is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner with the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). With a strong foundation in nursing and a passion for holistic healthcare, Kinga brings a wealth of experience to her practice. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Benedictine University and her Master of Science in Nursing from Olivet Nazarene University.Before transitioning to her role as a Nurse Practitioner, Kinga was a dedicated triage nurse at Well-Rooted, where she honed her skills in patient assessment and care coordination. Her nursing career began in medical-surgical nursing, followed by emergency department care, where she gained invaluable experience treating trauma and high-acuity patients. Inspired by her own experience as a mother of three young children, Kinga is deeply committed to helping children lead healthy, holistic lifestyles and thrive through all stages of life. Her unique blend of clinical expertise and personal passion for pediatric health drives her to provide compassionate care that emphasizes wellness, prevention, and family-centered approaches. When she’s not working, Kinga enjoys spending time with her family, advocating for children's health, and exploring ways to integrate holistic practices into modern medicine.

Ashley Gregg is a dual board-certified Family and Emergency Nurse Practitioner credentialed through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Loyola University Chicago and later obtained a Masters degree in Nursing as a Family and Emergency Nurse Practitioner from Loyola University Chicago. She is a member of the Illinois Society for Advanced Practice Nursing. She is passionate about focusing on holistic practices for herself, family and her patients.

Caroline Zee APRN, CPNP-PC is a board-certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Washington. After working in preventive medicine research for Northwestern University, Caroline discovered her true passion was in patient care. She then completed her nursing certification and Master’s degree as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner from the University of Illinois at Chicago. With over 8 years of experience in primary care pediatrics, Caroline noticed the limitations of conventional treatment methods and the frequent use of the band-aid approach. Her growing interest in functional medicine led her to pursue an integrative approach to healthcare, ensuring that her patients receive personalized and holistic care. Caroline’s goal is to help her patients thrive by creating a strong foundation for health that will benefit them throughout their lives. Caroline will be seeing pediatric patients at our location in Oakbrook, IL.

Andrea Simmons DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP is a board-certified family nurse practitioner with a background in pediatric and adolescent medicine, women’s health, and family health care. Early in her practice, she developed an interest in Functional Medicine and has spent the last four years learning how to incorporate a more holistic approach to patient care. Andrea takes pride in spending time with her patients, listening to their needs and participating as a partner in their health journey. Andrea lives in Southwest Wisconsin with her husband and three busy children. She understands how difficult and important it is to balance life, work, and family. As a busy wife and mom, Andrea can appreciate the importance of building a team and having a support network, especially when trying to improve your health. She continually strives to expand her knowledge, both in terms of personal and family health, so she can pass this information on to her patients. Andrea looks forward to partnering with each individual family and joining them on their journey to better health. 

Jenna Coutant DNP, FNP-BC is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with a Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Rush University Medical Center. She has spent the last eight years in the NeonatalIntensive Care Unit (NICU), providing both complex medical care and emotional support tonewborns and their families. Passionate about pediatric healthcare, Jenna is dedicated tosupporting children through every phase of life with a holistic, patient-centered approach.Outside of work, Jenna embraces a holistic lifestyle with her husband, 2-year-old son, andtheir furry companions—Pomeranian Paco and cat Gus. She enjoys decluttering andcreating aesthetically pleasing spaces, as well as diving into a good mystery thriller novelin her free time.

Jessica Pawlicki is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, best-selling author, and the visionary founder of Well-Rooted, a holistic healthcare practice rooted in the mission of uncovering and addressing the root cause of illness across all ages. With a deep commitment to whole-person care, Jessica blends conventional and functional medicine to serve families seeking answers beyond the surface. Jessica earned her nursing degree from Chamberlain College of Nursing and her Family Nurse Practitioner degree from Olivet Nazarene University. Alongside launching Well-Rooted, she also served as a graduate-level instructor, sharing her knowledge and passion with the next generation of nurse practitioners. She is a proud member of the American Holistic Nurses Association, standing firmly in her belief that true healing integrates mind, body, and spirit. She holds training and certifications in several areas in Functional Medicine including a Certified Mold Provider, which she achieved after dealing with mold illness herself. As a contributor to the best-selling book Slaying Chicago, Jessica’s story continues to inspire women to rise above adversity and step fully into their purpose. Beyond her professional achievements, Jessica is a devoted wife and mother of two, homeschooling her children while keeping up with the energy and excitement of their travel sports schedule. When she’s not seeing patients or teaching, you can find Jessica enjoying the simplicity of homesteading, exploring new places with her family, or dreaming up new ways to empower others through holistic living. Well-Rooted began as a vision and has grown into a thriving, purpose-driven practice—proving that when passion meets intention, healing happens at the root.

Michelle Lehn is a board certified nurse Practitioner credentialed through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.  She graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing degree from Northern Illinois University and went on to specialize in pediatrics for the following 15 years. In 2017, she chose to further her education and complete a Masters of Science in Nursing to become a Family Nurse Practitioner. The last two years she has worked in an urgent care setting treating acute ailments. A personal health journey led her to find her true calling and passion in functional medicine. She is currently a member of The School of Applied Functional Medicine studying to further her knowledge in functional medicine. Her goal is to educate and empower her patients to own their personal health journey in order to optimize their quality of life.

Rebecca Kaechele, DNP, MSN, FNP-BC Rebecca Kaechele is a dedicated Nurse Practitioner with over seven years of functional medicine experience. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, followed by a Master’s and Doctorate of Nursing from Chamberlain University. Passionate about root-cause healing, Rebecca holds certifications in IV therapy and has completed extensive training through the Institute of Functional Medicine, A4M, and Gut Honest Truth. Her own health journey led her to discover functional medicine, reigniting her passion for healthcare and inspiring her to continually learn and grow in the field. She is committed to providing comprehensive, patient-centered care to help her patients achieve optimal health. In her free time, Rebecca enjoys staying active and spending time with her family.

Jessica Pawlicki is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, best-selling author, and the visionary founder of Well-Rooted, a holistic healthcare practice rooted in the mission of uncovering and addressing the root cause of illness across all ages. With a deep commitment to whole-person care, Jessica blends conventional and functional medicine to serve families seeking answers beyond the surface. Jessica earned her nursing degree from Chamberlain College of Nursing and her Family Nurse Practitioner degree from Olivet Nazarene University. Alongside launching Well-Rooted, she also served as a graduate-level instructor, sharing her knowledge and passion with the next generation of nurse practitioners. She is a proud member of the American Holistic Nurses Association, standing firmly in her belief that true healing integrates mind, body, and spirit. She holds training and certifications in several areas in Functional Medicine including a Certified Mold Provider, which she achieved after dealing with mold illness herself. As a contributor to the best-selling book Slaying Chicago, Jessica’s story continues to inspire women to rise above adversity and step fully into their purpose. Beyond her professional achievements, Jessica is a devoted wife and mother of two, homeschooling her children while keeping up with the energy and excitement of their travel sports schedule. When she’s not seeing patients or teaching, you can find Jessica enjoying the simplicity of homesteading, exploring new places with her family, or dreaming up new ways to empower others through holistic living. Well-Rooted began as a vision and has grown into a thriving, purpose-driven practice—proving that when passion meets intention, healing happens at the root.

Ida is a board certified Nurse Practitioner and has been in the nursing field for over thirteen years. Her experience dealing with a wide range of disease processes led her to pursue her master's in nursing, as well as become a Family Nurse Practitioner. Her clinical background includes emergency and trauma medicine, where she was seen as a leader and an educator. During her clinicals, she found a passion for women's health. Ida saw a need to spend the time to truly understand her patients, partner with them, and develop personalized care. My mission is to listen and provide optimal care for my patients. I feel that healthcare today is too fast-paced and clinicians do not take the necessary time to be with patients and listen to their concerns. My vision is to give each patient the experience that I would want and educate them to feel comfortable in their healthcare plan. It is important that patients build trust with practitioners. I believe in using all types of evidence-based medicine to guide patients throughout their healthcare needs.

Jennifer is a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner and has been in the nursing field for over 10 years. She entered the field with a passion for women's health and a holistic model of care. She began her nursing career at Rush University on a surgical floor where the primary patient population was gynecological oncology and it was there that her interest and belief in natural and holistic health was solidified. Upon becoming a Family NP, she worked for a time in primary care and was struck by the lack of focus on wellness care. This led her to working in a more integrated practice setting where the focus was on supporting patients in living their best lives. She is excited to join Well Rooted Women continuing to offer women's health with a truly holistic and patient-centered approach. She looks forward to expanding her knowledge and growing as a provider. I believe that true health can only be possible when one can focus on the whole person--body, mind, and spirit. As a provider, I want to partner with patients to understand what health means to them and empower each person to achieve their health goals. I am excited to share my knowledge with patients, giving them the tools they need to take ownership of their health. I truly feel privileged to support patients on their wellness journeys.