Patty Wooten presents ... 
All about AATH
Board Certified Therapeutic Humorist?
From Journal of Nursing Jocularity, Summer 1993, 3(2), pp 46-47.A "Board Certified Therapeutic Humorist"?
Well, maybe not yet. But perhaps someday.
I want to tell you about a wonderful networking opportunity for caring professionals like yourself. The American Association for Therapeutic Humor -- known as AATH -- is an organization for individuals interested in the practical applications of humor in their work settings.
This group originated out of a Laughter & Play conference held in 1983. At that gathering, Allison Crane, RN saw several unmet needs in the field of humor-and-health. These needs included a clearinghouse for information on the growing volumes of humor research, some sort of Who's-Who-of-Humor, a way to network with like-minded people, and a method to promote programs and projects. There was no way to collect and distribute information, so individuals could stay on top of current research.
By 1987, AATH was incorporated as a non-profit organization. In these past five years, the organization has produced many bibliographies, sponsored annual conferences and created a very popular "Speakers Resource" list of available presenters. They publish a bi-monthly newsletter and regularly update a membership list which is sent to members to promote networking.
The official AATH organizational goals, as of January 1992, are:
- to disseminate information about humor and laughter to its members through regular publications,
- to provide members with educational opportunities through lectures, seminars, and conferences,
- to function as an interdisciplinary network for its members,
- to be a clearinghouse of information on humor and laughter as they relate to well-being
- to educate health care professionals and lay audiences about the values and therapeutic uses of humor and laughter,
- to develop, promote, conduct, and identify the need for research which further investigates the roles of humor, laughter and play in well-being, and
- to encourage, support and report on innovative programs which incorporate the therapeutic uses of humor.
So, Allison's original vision has been fulfilled.
Historically, most AATH members have been health care professionals. But, increasingly, people from other professions are also discovering the benefits of applied humor and there is a rise in members from the pastoral care, social work, education and business communities.
In response to members' desires, AATH's conference schedule has grown from the annual "Humor and the Health Care Professional" or "Humor and Pastoral Care." They are expanding to two conferences a year: a traditional Fall conference for health professionals and a new Spring conference focusing on the interests of other groups. Proposed target audiences include teachers, psychotherapists, substance abuse counselors, social workers and business professionals.
Over the years, the organization has moved, grown and changed leadership. The team presently directing AATH contains some high-power humor specialists from a variety of professional backgrounds.
President Kathleen Keller Passanisi, known as "the Erma Bombeck of health care," is a long-time physical therapist and award-winning speaker and comedienne. For the last seven years, she's been running her own company (New Perspectives) and doing seminars on humor, wellness and team dynamics. Kathy serves on the adjunct faculty of the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
Vice President Connelly Todt is the only paid, full-time humor room coordinator in the country, as far as we know. Connie works to bring joy and laughter to people at Sunnyview Hospital and Rehab Center in Schenectady, New York.
Karyn Buxman is the editor of Laugh It Up!, the bimonthly newsletter for AATH. Karyn has her own speaking and consulting business called H.E.L.P. (Humor Educator and Laughter Professional). She is also a contributing editor and Vice President of the Journal of Nursing Jocularity.
Other members of the Board of Directors include: Treasurer Bruce Strombach, an experienced hospital administrator who is now a full-time humor consultant; Secretary Nance Driscoll, a social worker from Montpellier, Vermont; Educational Resources Coordinator Ivan Brown, an educator from Toronto, Canada and Ed Dunkelblau, a psychologist from Illinois.
I have been a member of AATH since its inception. At that time, the organization consisted of a small collection of health professionals, mostly nurses. I have watched it grow and develop into an excellent service organization devoted to the exploration and sharing of practical applications for humor and laughter. Karyn Buxman edits the informative and insightful newsletter which provides a strong communication network between members. If you want to know about the latest research, publications, services and programs available, you should become a member of the American Association for Therapeutic Humor. It is well worth the investment.
AATH offices recently moved from Illinois to Missouri. The new address is:
American Association for Therapeutic Humor,For the annual membership dues of $35, you get a bibliography and the bi-monthly newsletter.
12 South Hanley, St Louis MO 63105.
Phone: ; FAX: .
My next column will feature several practicing physicians who are providing a variety of humor services. We will explore their motivation for promoting humor and the response from the medical and nursing community.
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This article was originally published in "Jest for the Health of It", a regular feature in the Journal of Nursing Jocularity.
Feature columnist Patty Wooten, BSN, is also a past President of the American Association for Therapeutic Humor, author of two books related to humor, and a national speaker presenting on the benefits of humor.
