Leslie Gibson was given a grant in 1988 from Dr. Joel Goodman at The Humor Project to pioneer a program to bring humor therapy to hospital patients. The Director of Education at Morton Plant Hospital, Dr. Nancy Rue, had previously been an instructor with nurses studying pediatrics. Administratively, she agreed that providing Comedy Carts for hospital patients would be a great idea to help adults balance the stress of illness. An interdisciplinary team helped create the first Comedy Cart that was filed with games, movies, audio tapes and magic tricks. The program started on one hospital unit as a free service to the patients. This service quickly became popular and the need for growth was supported by the hospital administration. Volunteers were trained on hospital safety & the carts have grown to 16 serving the entire 600 bed not for profit hospital. Doctors have even written prescriptions for patients to receive a Comedy Cart!
Eventually, Caring Clowns became part of the volunteer program and are required to attend a 10 week therapeutic clown training before they can participate in CLOWN ROUNDS. This program serves as a model for other hospitals, hospices & healthcare facilities around the world.
Visitors are always welcome as long as you notify us of your arrival and we will set a time to meet with you in the hospital lobby.
