Cheryl Lekousi is the Executive Director of the Hearts & Noses Hospital Clown Troup based in Needham, MA. In her work as a clown, Cheryl is referred to as “Tic Toc.” Building on anextensive background in special needs education and early child development, Cheryl now makes clown visits to pediatric hospital units, memory care facilities for older adults, and a range of community events for ill and disabled children.

Kenny Raskin is the Artistic Director of Hearts & Noses, training the troupe in clowning skills, partnering, and sensitivity to hospital staff and patients and their families. As a clown, Kenny is known as “Dr. Mensch.” Kenny is recognized internationally for his skills as a physical comedian and clown. He has performed in numerous films, circuses, television shows, and stage productions. Kenny even was the comic sidekick of the villain Gaston in the Broadway production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.

Cheryl Lekousi and Kenny Raskin talk with Helen Osborne about:

• Medical clowns: What they do, who they are, ways clowns can help.
• Stories and examples of medical clowns in action across the lifespan.
• Lessons learned for the rest of us about bringing some joy and humanity to otherwise stressful medical situations.

More ways to learn more:

• Hearts & Noses Hospital Clown Troupe
• Michael Christensen: Clown, Juggler, Circus Director
• “Clown Doctors as a Treatment for Preoperative Anxiety in Children: A Randomized, Prospective Study”, by Vagnoli et al, Pediatrics, 2005.
• Medical Clowning: The Healing Performance, by Amnon Raviv
• New Perspectives on Medical Clowning: Clown Doctors in COVID-19, Wartime, and the Everyday, by Amnon Raviv
• Beyond the Red Nose, The Serious Business of Healthcare Clowning, by Tiffany Riley
• The Clown Doctor Chronicles, by Caroline Simonds & Bernie Warren

Health Literacy from A to Z: Practical Ways to Communicate Your Health Message, Third Edition, by Helen Osborne. The chapter “Zest and Pizzazz” is especially relevant to this podcast.

Read a transcript of this podcast.

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