Tag-Archive for » Healthcare Humor Program «
We learn something in everything we do — that’s called life. Keeping our eyes open and being observant. Evaluating the process with every step — how are we doing? Fine-tuning as we go, to reach the mark. Dedicated to the purpose.
In actuality, it’s not about the process — it’s about the doing… the sharing of the moment, the Joy, the laughter, the humor.
Some welcome the humorous interlude with open arms, embracing the moment. Others will only allow us a small space in time. Still others — will refuse. We have to offer up our gift in an enticing way, making it be an irresistible offer — one that simply cannot be ignored, in a gentle, non-invasive way. The choice to “receive” is left entirely up to the intended recipient.
Each time, we must remember the experience in delivering Humor, however it is presented. Our efforts will be most effective if we offer Applied Humor Therapy as the individual wants to receive it. We must meet them in that place. Or allow drive through, express-style. Whatever works in the venue, for the audience and the day.
As Applied Humor Therapists, we have a commitment to share the laughter, Joy and Healing Humor, injecting it in the spaces allowed. Then and only then, have we been truly effective.
Related Post: Injecting Healing Humor and Entertaining in the Healthcare Setting: Its All About Relationships
But wait! There’s much more to come on this topic…
Charlie's Chaplains' Skool
Fall is fast approaching! Along with it comes wonderful opportunities to become more active, and discover new avenues of interest. For me, fall has always been a sort-of ‘New Year,’ as I launch out on a fresh stretch of months in a ‘New School Year,’ so-to-speak.
What do you have planned? What new things will you be doing? Will you be exploring new interests or adventures? Exciting times ahead! Are you prepared? Will you be ready for Prime Time?
If your heart is leading you toward hospital or caring clowning, or healthcare performing, here are some great resources, regardless of your level of proficiency or experience:
Attend a Live Event:
Frye Regional Medical Center’s Charlie’s Chaplains’ Skool “Work of Heart: Injecting Healing Humor in Healthcare” For Hospital/Caring Clowns, Family Entertainers, Healthcare Professionals, and folks interested in establishing a hospital clown or healthcare family entertainer group, 9th consecutive Skool — Weekend/or Saturday Intensive available on September 24-25, 2010 in Hickory, NC For info, click this link (here)
MultiMedia Training — Always available on your schedule, ongoing…
- Hospital Clowns and Healthcare Entertainers Private Mentorship Training Program, and for those Creative Arts Performers who apply generous doses of Healing Humor in the Healthcare Venue! Immediate access to all necessary materials and BONUS Gifts, upon sign-up! Ongoing program geared for all levels of experience, delivering individual mentoring on mentee’s own schedule, with training videos, audios and tried-and-true resources.
- “How to Establish a Hospital Clown or Creative Ministry Guide” Online Webinar Package, video book companion with downloadable materials, immediately available upon sign-up.
- Work of Heart: Establishing a Hospital Clown/Healthcare Family Entertainer Group – Train, Prepare & Equip: Video training, paired with 4 EBooks containing 103 pages of training materials; 4 printable booklets for your team or group training; arts enrichment/low-cost play-big group performance activities, more…Perfect companion to How to Establish a Hospital Clown or Creative Ministry Guide! Immediate access at sign-up.
- Healing Humor: Live Happy – Be Healthy! Online Audio Program — A self-paced Healing Humor online course with immediately available downloadable materials allows attendees to listen to audios at their convenience, enjoy EBooks and printables immediately! The course is presented in 5 separate audio segements, with related downloadables, all available online, to be listened to and enjoyed indefinitely, from the time of enrollment.
3 big reasons for establishing a Humor Program in your hospital or healthcare facility presented by published author and longtime Humor Therapist Becky Cortino…
These are 3 compelling reasons to establish a Healthcare Humor Program — but wait! There are more…
In addition, Healthcare Humor programs:
In addition to these 3 compelling reasons, Healthcare Humor programs also:
These are 3 compelling reasons to establish a Healthcare Humor Program — but wait! There are more…
In addition, Healthcare Humor Programs:
*Have far-reaching effects inside and outside the facility walls!
*Provide priceless results at little cost reaching patients, staff!
*Build great community goodwill!
*Are NOT Rocket Science to set-up!
*Easily tailored to your facility’s specific needs!
For articles, resources, training, request consultation, visit: AHeart4Clowning.com
Contact: Becky Cortino, AHeart4Clowning.com
Injecting Healing Humor in Healthcare Setting
Early this spring, I shared my excitement with you about launching Work of Heart: Injecting Healing Humor in the Healthcare Setting MultiMedia Program. Though difficult for me to wait for this program release, the weeks have passed as I put the finishing touches on this package. At last June 1st has arrived, and here we are officially launching this unique online MultiMedia Webinar to help encourage hospital clown and healthcare humor programs!
While it seemed a long way off at the time when I first told you about it, the span of weeks that passed is certainly not as long as the distance I have come in putting this program together for you! That meandering journey began as I set my very first baby clown foot on the hospital floor way back in 1997…
What a joy-full journey it has been! Filled with many-many hours of learning — like you… designing costumes and routines — like you. Attending training programs, conventions, conferences — like so many in our discipline. So – you know how much time you’ve spent! Oh — I and had two children I’ve been taking around with me since 1997, also — so I guess I need to multiply that time spent for prepping them, as well as me… I’m happy to report we continue making Rounds together still today – counting it all Joy!
Through the process I’ve learned quite a lot. I did not start up the hospital group that I am fortunate to coordinate since 2003, but I did establish the now-infamous Skool concept that draws folks from out of state to attend, and the ministry has become what is known as a “New Generation,” expanding to include professional family entertainers, honored to be featured in The Hospital Clown Newsletter.
Are you part of an existing hospital clown or healthcare family entertainer group? Regardless of your level of experience — do you want to start one? The lessons I have learned are ones I gladly share!
I am thrilled beyond words to officially launch my newest MultiMedia program that I believe is groundbreaking. It is filled with insight, experience, inspiration and down-to-earth strategies to help you:
- Establish a Hospital Clown/Healthcare Family Entertainer Group or further an exisiting one
- Help you Train, Prepare and Equip Your Group, including special clown arts enrichment activities and components to complement your efforts
- Help you Promote Your Group, to grow your group
This online program is presented from a Grassroots (that’s me-and-you), down-to-earth perspective, based upon tried-and-true hands-on actual hospital group development and coordination, and a long-time career in marketing/PR and communications. While I cannot claim to have been a circus clown or performed in hospitals in other countries, I have lived-breathed-hospital clowning since 1997 and my communications/Marketing/PR indie profession has been my lifelong career. My perspective is unique, and the information I can provide you through this program will help you in your efforts even if you have been a clown for many years.
Based on my experience, I have relevant information-rich content that will help you in your efforts, and hopefully keep you from spinning your wheels unnecessarily. I know how much time it takes to coordinate a group! This program is supported by my desire to encourage hospital clown and healthcare family entertainer groups globally and to help you coordinate your group, while saving you valuable time.
This webinar package is a comprehensive information and media-rich presentation. Each segment is thoroughly covered, and is like attending 3 seminars on this topic – then leaving the conference with a boatload of resource materials!
Do you need a dose of inspiration and some encouragement?
There are many preliminaries and considerations that need to be addressed in setting up – or coordinating an established hospital clown or family entertainer group, as well as training, equipping and getting the word out about your group.
Downloadable and printable materials to use for your own group are included in this online MultiMedia Webinar package, allowing you the benefit of attending a conference on your own schedule, from the comfort of your own computer! The entire program may be viewed indefinitely.
This MultiMedia program is designed as an extension to the recently-published book, How to Establish a Hospital Clown or Creative Ministry by Becky Cortino.
My book served as the official text for the first-ever ministry weekend program held by Frye Regional Medical Center’s Charlie’s Chaplains’ Hospital Clown Creative Ministry in 2007, it was expanded from the conference spiral-bound version and reprinted in 2008 by Lulu.com as a bookstore-quality paperback book. It remains as the featured text on this topic.
Although complimentary in nature, this webinar program goes well beyond the book by covering training, preparing and equipping a hospital clown or healthcare family entertainer group, in addition to promoting the group. It does not cover “How to Establish a Hospital Clown or Family Entertainer Group” as in-depth as the book, so is a recommended companion to this webinar:
How to Establish a Hospital Clown or Creative Ministry by Becky Cortino
More details and to register for this program: http://budurl.com/WorkofHeartWebinar
Look forward to seeing you in the program!
More Info: About Becky Cortino, featured program presenter
Setting up Humor Programs is NOT Rocket Science!
Recently, I’ve been writing a series of articles on the many benefits of establishing Humor Programs in the hospital and healthcare setting. Some of them are obvious — such as the recognized immune-system boost that humor provides (part of Reason #1)… and let’s not forget the stress relief received by a lighter moment in the day for the staff (Reason #4). And the list goes on…
So, ok. It would seem a lot of the reasons I listed are widely recognized. But overall, there are still many hospitals and healthcare facilities that do not have an established program. This leads my ever-’Inquirin’ Mind’ to wonder out loud: “Why not?” If you read my initial article on the 7 Reasons Why Hospital or Healthcare Facilities Should Establish a Humor Program, and it resonated with you — and I imagine it did with many — I wonder why we’re not further along in the world of Applied Humor Therapy programs in the hospital and healthcare setting — on a widescale basis?
While I am sure there is no one particular reason that would be the main obstacle for all, if I was to wager a guess on one of the biggest reasons, I would say it is: knowing where to begin, and how to set up a program that is appropriate for the facility. Obviously, the focus of any facility needs to be on the patients or residents. A Humor Program in whatever form is deemed a “best fit” for a particular facility is the way to serve that population, while reaping the many benefits and blessings of having them, with a well-executed program.
It’s important to remember that setting up a Humor Program is NOT Rocket Science. It can easily be designed and should be be tailored to the hosting facility’s needs. With willing volunteers to staff-manage-and run-it in tandem with a designated facility contact-supervisor, an effective program can cost next-to-nothing, with greater returns than any monies ever expended.
Whatever stage of development or operation your Humor Program may be, there are lots of articles, resources, and links included on this site to assist. Please feel free to explore and check out what is offered here to help the cause of injecting Healing Humor in the healthcare setting.
My heartfelt mission is very simple: I want to help further clown arts and humor programs in hospitals and healthcare settings globally. Together in the collective sense, we are doing that – but I strive to encourage it on a much broader scale than what we are currently doing.
Please let me know how I can help you… feel free to contact me, or to submit your question by way of this online Contact Form (click this link)
MultiMedia Resources on: Applied Humor Therapy, Healing Humor, Establishing a Hospital Clown or Healthcare Family Entertainer Group, Injecting Healing Humor in the Healthcare Setting. More info on materials written, produced and published by me: click this link (here)
Healthcare Humor Program Treats All Hearts Touched
Patient care is the focus and greatest concern of any healthcare facility. A Humor Program in tandem with and supportive of the hosting healthcare entity, serves as good will abassadors, and part of the wellness team through boosting immune systems and brightening the environment.
Establishing a Humor Program is a winning combination for any forward-thinking healthcare entity wanting to set themselves apart from other facilities, and building positive reputation in the process. These are 3 of the 7 reasons highlighted in my series on the importance of establishing Humor Programs in the healthcare setting. The outcome of an effective Humor Program can be positively powerful…
A Healthcare Humor Program is Critical Care to all hearts that are touched:
Patients are always the primary focus during visitations. In the healthcare setting, the mission is to do nothing more than cheer the patients through a gentle presence, as a means of taking the patient’s mind off their current health condition or painful situation.
Success is measured if only for just a second, after entering the patient’s room they can forget or not think about their condition, through humorous intervention. They are drawn into the performance, become a part of it, empowered to assist, or even refuse a visit. All are valuable therapeutic value, depending upon the patient’s condition and the situation.
A brighter, more optomistic environment is created, and spirits are lifted in the process:
Visitors may be treated to entertainment in the patient’s rooms, or sometimes caught by surprise in the hallways, waiting rooms, elevators and lobby. Depending upon the situation or mood, the visitors may become the center of attention, if the patient is unable, and it seems the visitors need a cheerful interlude.
The healthcare facility staff often welcomes joy-filled, comedic stress-relieving moments. Entertaining the staff at the nurse’s station and in the hallways as time and schedule allow, can become a much-anticipated adventure, and much-anticipated relief.
Results are tangible in health benefits and priceless in building good will and reputation over time, through a well-orchestrated healthcare Humor Program program, which can be implemented at little cost, for big results.
Scientific evidence supports the concept that humor and laughter make significant contributions to both physical and mental health conditions of all who receive applications of Applied Humor Therapy, by:
- Strengthening the immune system
- Improved cardiovascular health
- Reducing pain, stress and anxiety
- Creating a more positive perspective and optimistic mood
Does your healthcare facility have a Humor Program?
Whether your facility is reviewing possibilities or considering a program, or whatever stage of development or operation your Humor Program may be in, there are lots of articles, resources, and links included on this site to assist. Please feel free to explore and check out what is offered here to help the cause of injecting Healing Humor in the healthcare setting.
Receive information to help you in this effort, by signing up here to receive free updates (click on this link here)
Here is a recommended book on How to Establish a Hospital Clown or Family Entertainer Group
Do you have questions or want to talk with someone about your program and ideas?
If I may answer questions you have or be of assistance to you or your facility in some way regarding setting up an in-house program, or related to your currently-existing Healthcare Humor Program, please feel free to contact me at any time and let me know how I may help: Use the online contact form by clicking this link (here)
Applied Humor in the healthcare setting has tangible benefits!
Recently, I’ve been writing about the inherent benefits of hospital or healthcare facility-based Humor Programs. Important integral elements may easily be overlooked, while efforts are steadfastly fixed upon the proper program set-up, meeting facility training and testing requirements, coupled with wholehearted determination to provide the best delivery of humor…
Possible missing ingredients are the elements of Joy and Wonder. These simple components of an effective Humor Program, may easily be lost in the stack of details and flurry of implementation.
Joy is often the natural by-product of appropriately-delivered humor. Provided to a patient on a personal level, in a time, a place and in just the right space. But if the humor therapist is impeded in some way, their effectiveness is diluted or hindered. Being well-trained and fully integrated as part of the facility’s ‘Wellness Team’ gives the needed support and confidence to help create Joy on-the-fly for all hearts touched along their merry way.
Wonder is that amorphous, shapeless, intangible aspect so often sought after, but not always found. It is a necessary item in the Humor Program Toolbox! To create this essence, is to recognize the possibility what is to be — of things hoped for, but not yet seen. To develop the thought of what might be, beyond what is, with a positive eventual destination, outcome or conclusion to the current adventure.
These elements may sound high-minded, but in reality are very simple in nature, and integral parts of any effective healthcare Humor Program. Upon considering them, one might rightly wonder how any modicum of Joy or Wonder could be provided to the patient who may be staring into the face of a dark unknown. Based on my experience in this venue since 1997, I have personally witnessed this feat accomplished through effective applied humor therapy on a regular, repeated basis throughout visitations or clown rounds.
Admittedly, it is amazing to think a patient in pain, under heavy meds or experiencing a dire health situation would so readily welcome in a humor therapist as they do — but they do! Of course training and preparation are important, but the approach once on the scene is certainly critical. It is a warm, inviting and personal contact with the patient. Sometimes, the patient is not in a place in their heart or mind to take in what a humor therapist has to offer, which is respected. However, most patients welcome the interlude amidst their pain or suffering.
An effective healthcare humor therapy program causes ripple effects, reaching out and infecting others. Humor and smiles are known to be highly contagious! Visitors also are beneficiaries of the adventure, and appreciate the special care and concern extended to their loved one. Staff often welcomes joy-filled, comedic stress-relieving moments. Entertaining the staff at the nurse’s station and in the hallways as time and schedule allow, can become a much-anticipated adventure.
How do the elements of Joy and Wonder affect the bottomline in the healthcare setting?
Beyond the health benefits of humor, and recognized importance for patients, the spillover effect is priceless. The result of a well-executed healthcare program is beyond any dollars that could ever be budgeted and spent, because the hearts, minds and lives of countless individuals are touched.
In the process:
- A caring, serving, personal reputation for the facility is supported or built.
- Unique positioning for the facility is established for hosting such a program; for the foresight and progressive nature of establishing and supporting it.
- Positive memories of the event also help patients and others to engender high regard and admiration for a healthcare facility.
For more information on how Healthcare Facilities Can Build a Caring Reputation through Humor Programs, click this link (here)
Recently, I wrote an article on 7 Reasons Why Healthcare Facilities Need a Humor Program. The message must have resonated, based on the response. It’s not surprising, because the core concept itself is endearing to the majority of the public.
It is indeed a heartwarming thought of hospital clowns cheering sick children, or healthcare family entertainers performing for ailing patients. Without a doubt, such selfless acts are noble efforts. It’s easy to figure that through the freely-offered gift of heart, spirits are lifted and patient’s days are brightened. Perhaps that’s the ‘easy’ part to calculate in this formula.
Based upon documented fact and reliable research, the medical community recognizes and embraces the health benefits of applied humor therapy, and even encourages it. However, so many hospitals still have no Humor Program in place… leaving us to wonder – why? It couldn’t be for lack of willing volunteers, because in our trips and travels, we have met many experienced clowns and family entertainers wishing with all their hearts to spread laughter and cheer in the healthcare venue, if only given an opportunity and the necessary facility training.
Benefits of a healthcare Humor Program are far-reaching, even beyond the obvious health effects and spirit-lifting offered to patients, visitors and staff. In fact, in considering establishing a Humor Program, it is possible some related positive side effects might otherwise be missed in the big picture view amidst the flurry of planning and activity.
In the process, hospitals and healthcare facilities that establish a Humor Program may experience at least some of the following benefits for their own organization:
1) Build a reputation as a caring facility: Going that extra mile by offering something really special and totally unexpected — and not to mention different from all the other area hospitals!
2) Recognized as taking a personal approach: By providing a means for good will ambassadors to do some great PR, create smiles and happy memories that will last a long time in the hearts and minds that are touched by a special performance or gentle presence.
3) Receive a lot of promotional value and mileage: Through the positive, uplifting experiences provided purely as an ‘extra’ through a special service, given as a gesture of good will and shared freely and equally with all, throughout the facility on a regular basis.
4) Great good will and excellent community relations are cemented: When a Humor Program is well-executed, performs on a regular basis and becomes known for this ‘work’ that-looks like “play” — it is positively memorable.
Certainly quality patient care is the greatest concern of any healthcare facility. A Humor Program in tandem with and supportive of the hosting organization serves as good will abassadors, and part of the wellness team through boosting immune systems and brightening the environment. Establishing a Humor Program is a winning combination for any forward-thinking healthcare entity wanting to set themselves apart from other facilities, and building positive reputation in the process.
Does your healthcare facility have a Humor Program?
Whatever stage of development or operation your Humor Program may be, there are lots of articles, resources, and links included on this site to assist. Please feel free to explore and check out what is offered here to help the cause of injecting Healing Humor in the healthcare setting.
Receive information to help you in this effort, by signing up here to receive free updates (click on this link here)
Here is a recommended book on Injecting Healing Humor in the Healthcare Setting
The health benefits of applied humor therapy have long been recognized, supported by scientific studies and the medical community.
A true visionary, Saturday Review Editor Norman Cousins, is credited as the forerunner in this aspect, treating his painful health condition with doses of humor 46 years ago, long before contemporary thought recognized and embraced this powerful, effective therapy.
Based on a growing understanding of the associated health benefits, humor programs, hospital clowns, caring clowns and healthcare family entertainers are becoming more mainstream, although they are still not widely-available at a majority of facilities.
Here are 7 reasons why healthcare facilities need to host an in-house humor program:
1) Humor and laughter make significant contributions to both physical and mental health conditions of all who receive applications of Applied Humor Therapy, by:
- Strengthening the immune system
- Improved cardiovascular health
- Reducing pain, stress and anxiety
- Creating a more positive perspective and optimistic mood
These are but a few of the benefits associated with generous doses of Applied Humor Therapy to the recipient, with undoubtedly a residual spillover-effect to all observing the spectacle, as well as the therapist. In the truest sense, humor program participants are part of the hosting facility’s Wellness Team.
2) It’s Critical Care: Patients are always the primary focus during visitations. In the healthcare setting, the mission is to do nothing more than cheer the patients through a gentle presence, as a means of taking the patient’s mind off their current health condition or painful situation.
Success is measured if only for just a second, after entering the patient’s room they can forget or not think about their condition, through humorous intervention. They are drawn into the performance, become a part of it, empowered to assist, or even refuse a visit.
3) Lift Spirits: Visitors may be treated to entertainment in the patient’s rooms, or sometimes caught by surprise in the hallways, waiting rooms, elevators and lobby. Depending upon the situation or mood, the visitors may become the center of attention, if the patient is unable, and it seems the visitors need a cheerful interlude.
4) Uplift: Staff often welcomes joy-filled, comedic stress-relieving moments. Entertaining the staff at the nurse’s station and in the hallways as time and schedule allow, can become a much-anticipated adventure.
5) Build a Rep for Caring and Taking a Personal Approach: Great good will is established and excellent community relations are cemented when a program is well-executed and becomes well-known for this ‘work’ that-looks like play.
6) It is NOT Rocket Science to Set Up a Program: It can easily and should be be tailored to the hosting facility’s needs. With willing volunteers, the program cost can be next-to-nothing, with greater returns than any monies ever expended.
7) Add an Element of Joy and Wonder Where It’s Least Expected – Most Needed: As an added perk to a facility’s amenities, available at low-cost for the far-reaching effects on all people who come into contact with the program in action.
Does your healthcare facility have a Humor Program?
Is the staff at your healthcare facility:
- Supported by an established in-house Humor Program?
- Provided the tools and knowledge for Applied Humor Therapy in the healthcare setting?
Whatever stage of development or operation your Humor Program may be, there are lots of articles, resources, and links included on this site to assist. Please feel free to explore and check out what is offered here to help the cause of injecting Healing Humor in the healthcare setting.
My heartfelt mission is very simple: I want to help further clown arts and humor programs in hospitals and healthcare settings globally. Together in the collective sense, we are doing that – but I strive to encourage it on a much broader scale than what we are currently doing.
Please let me know how I can help you… feel free to contact me, or to submit your question by way of this online Contact Form (click this link)
MultiMedia Resources on: Applied Humor Therapy, Healing Humor, Establishing a Hospital Clown or Healthcare Family Entertainer Group, Injecting Healing Humor in the Healthcare Setting. More info on materials written, produced and published by me: click this link (here)
Here’s a great read on Humor in the Hospital, click on this link here
Miles of Smiles: Becky Cortino
Are you a hospital clown, caring clown or healthcare entertainer?
You are invited and encouraged to please take our short Hospital Clown/Healthcare Performer Survey to tell us your thoughts, and about what you do at your facility. All respondents remain anonymous and no personal information is required to participate.
Here is the link for our short survey: Click this link here for the survey
As most folks in this venue, I am a volunteer. I am not paid for hospital visitations or performances I have freely given since 1997, nor am I salaried to coordinate, or for any ongoing training I have provided the hospital group I’ve been honored to serve as coordinator for since 2003. I do not have a trunkload of supplies and gadgets to sell you. No fees are collected to maintain this site or any related community groups – so know I am fully-vested in my global mission to encourage more hospital humor programs globally.
Why am I offering this Survey?
As part of building-community, I would like to know what you think, and more about the kind of work you do. Your input is important and your thoughts are appreciated — I know you are as driven by your passion, as I am!
Click this link here for our short survey
Tell us what you think… what you do at your facility…
As always, if you have a question, a referral or need help in your area, please use the Contact Form and drop me a note. I look forward to hearing from you!
Thank you for your thoughts 