Introducing Humorologists aka Clown Doctors of Humorology Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Humorologists aka Clown Doctors.

Can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Thank you for stopping by and for wanting to hear the story of us. Well, our story begins like most stories do… Once upon a time in the Autumn (fancy word for Fall) of 2016, a group of 11 clown doctors were determined to continue the beautiful work of healthcare clowning so they created Humorology Atlanta, HA! You see, all of the Humorologists (fancy word for clown doctor), currently on our team also worked for the Big Apple Circus Clown Care Unit in Atlanta until 2016 when the circus had to file for bankruptcy and was therefore no longer able to support the Clown Care program.

Through HA! we are able to continue the great work of Healthcare Clowning and better serve everyone at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and in our Atlanta Community. As a local organization, we are more immediately available and accessible to those we serve.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
We have been extremely lucky to have had such a smooth transition from Big Apple Circus Clown Care Unit to Humorology Atlanta, HA. We know the transition wouldn’t have been as smooth without the great support we got from everyone at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta: from the staff to the families and patients who were behind us 100%!

Please tell us about Humorology Atlanta. HA.
Humorology Atlanta, HA is an Atlanta based non-profit organization dedicated to empowering hospitalized children through playful distraction. Our professional Humorologists aka Clown Doctors, offer therapeutic fun by bringing relief and joy to patients, families, and staff through the art of clowning.

Our Humorologists are trained, professional performers who create moments of joy in every corner of the hospital and are dedicated to brightening up the lives of every child they see.

Our Humorologists work in collaboration with medical professionals to distract kids during stressful procedures, divert during emergency situations, stimulate and encourage during physical therapy and enhance the emotional wellbeing of hospitalized children. Using therapeutic fun, our Humorologists can dramatically shift the emotional estate of the room by bringing spontaneous moments of joy to staff, parents, and especially-patients!

We are proud to say that our Humorologists have been bringing joy and laughter to everyone at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta for almost 20 years. Also, Humorology Atlanta, HA is the only professional Healthcare Clowning organization in Georgia.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
That’s a great question! Along our journey, we’ve learned a few things:

1. We are nothing without our Atlanta Community
2. We are very lucky to belong to a team or clown family (as we like to call it).
3. Always tend to the healthy part of a hospitalized child and remind them they can still play.
4. We have the best job on earth so enjoy it and never miss an opportunity to create moments of joy!
5. Remember what Charles Chaplin said: “a day without laughter is a day wasted”

Contact Info:

• Website: www.humorologyatlanta.org
• Phone: Call (678) 335-6102
• Email: info@humorologyatlanta.org
• Instagram: humorologyatlanta
• Facebook: humorologyatlantaha

Image Credit:
Personal photo: Sally Gustafson
Photos with patients: Annalise Kaylor

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