Biz Blogs

Lisa Rene De Cotret

FOOLS FOR HEALTH CLOWN DOCTORS ATTEND JERUSALEM CONFERENCE

Posted November 7, 2011 @ 10:09AM

Artistic Director and Clown-Doctor, Sandy Radvanyi (Dr. Merry Kay!) and Clown-Doctor Charmaine Miron (Dr. Tilly Tom-Tom) of Fools for Health attended the world’s first conference for medical/hospital clowns held in Jerusalem, October 23-26. The conference was hosted by Israel’s Dream Doctors (medical clowns) in honor of their 10th anniversary. A total of 250 Clown-Doctors, Therapeutic Clowns, Hospital Clowns and administrators from 22 countries attended the conference which gave some of the world’s foremost leaders in healthcare clowning the opportunity to share the latest research in the effects of clowning in hospitals and seniors’ homes. Many of these same experts offered workshops and panel discussions in humour and clowning techniques used in healthcare around the world.

Sandy and Charmaine had the chance to meet with some of their Canadian counterparts from Dr. Clown of Montreal & Quebec City and Therapeutic Clowns Program of Holland Bloorview Rehabilitation Hospital of Toronto). Also attending were Clown-Doctors and therapeutic clowns from Australia, Clowns Without Borders, Finland, Russia, Palestinian Territory, New Zealand, Germany, France, Scotland, The Netherlands, Brazil, Denmark, Norway, Switzerland, Austria, Portugal, Spain, Belgium, Sweden, The Czech Republic & Slovakia, The Netherlands, and The United States. The world’s first Clown-Doctor, Michael Christensen, of Big Apple Circus Clown Care in Brooklyn, New York gave the opening presentation.

Israel’s Dream Doctors, founded in 2002, boasts over 80 medical clowns working in 22 hospitals throughout Israel in various pediatrics wards and clinics. The Dream Doctors envision expanding the number of patients who benefit from their work “and to transform Clowning Therapy into an officially recognized and firmly established paramedical profession” with training obtained at the University of Haifa where there is already a BA program in Clowning Therapy. They are working to expand this to a Master of Arts program as well. They hope to create a “global model” for healthcare clowning. (For more information visit www.dreamdoctors.org.il.)

One of the most astounding, powerful, and awe inspiring presentations came from Dream Doctors clown Shosi Ofir and Dr. Nessia Lang, Tene Center, Padeh Medical Center who work at a clinic for sexually abused children. Their video clip and shared lecture fully demonstrated how a medical clown and a medical doctor can work hand-in-hand to help heal emotionally and physically wounded children.

Attendees at the conference toured Israeli hospitals where the Dream Doctors work on a regular basis. The Dream Doctors receive funding through charitable donations, private sponsorship, and have the support of the Israeli Ministry of Health.

The international array of healthcare clowns were also treated to some of Israel’s finest dining as well as musicians who entertained at the opening and closing ceremonies. Guided tours of the Old City and the Holocaust Museum gave the conference attendees a taste of ancient Jerusalem and a somber look at the dark days of Judaism. The final party found the Dream Doctors leading everyone in singing “We Are the World.”

At the end of the 3 day conference, Dr. Arthur Eidelman of Shaare Zedek Hospital in Israel announced that with the success of the 2011 Dream Doctors 10th Anniversary Conference, the hope is to hold another international conference in another country in 2013. Word came from Daniel Shriqui, Director of The Dream Doctors, that Wellington Santos and Enfermaria do Riso/UNIRIO (Univeridade Fedreal do Estado do Rio De Janeiro) in Brazil will be the hosts for the 2nd international conference of clowning in healthcare.



by Lisa Rene-De-Cotret Biz X Magazine