Debra Joy Hart, RN has been in health care for over 20 years.. Currently she employed at Age Wise Care Management and she teaches at a local men’s transitional/homeless shelter.
Every spring and summer (and sometimes in between) Deb, AKA “Daisy the Clown” lives with the families and initiates fun-filled activities for both parent and child. Deb also gives workshops for the adults on how to welcome and include more humor and joy in their lives. Deb has been part of a collaborating team working with FCAN to bring therapeutic programming to the families affected and infected with HIV/ AIDS. Her programs include: Parenting, Grief and Loss, Disease Stress Management, Spirituality and Faith.
Deb juggles her skills as a humorist, nurse, clown and lay minister to speak around the country to corporations, colleges, healthcare settings and religious organizations. Her infectious sprit, laughter and wit are just a few of the tools she has in her clown medicine bag.
CERTIFICATION:
Nationally Certified Bereavement Facilitator: American Academy of Bereavement (2001)
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:
Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor (1995-present)
T.I.M.E.S. Center Advisory Board (Men’s Transitional Shelter) 2005-Present
World Laughter Tour 2008- present
American Holistic Nurses Association 2008-present
Deb Hart RN. ”Clown Kisses and Boxer Shorts.” The Newsletter of The American Association for Therapeutic Humor (Jan1999).
Deb Hart RN. “HUMOR and the (W)Hole Person.” The Newsletter of The American Association for Therapeutic Humor (July 2000)
Debra Joy Hart RN: Contributing Author, Honorable Mention in 21 Peaceful Nurses; Essays on a Spiritually Guided Practice. Edited by Doris J. Popovich, RN MA and Joan Cantwell, RN, MA . Press, INC; Denver Colorado 2006
Newspaper and magazine articles quoting Deb on the therapeutic use of humor or featuring her:
- Central Illinois Health Magazine: October 2006
- Champaign Urbana News- Gazette: 8/23/95,8/27/06,8/23/09
- The Octopus: July 24,1998
- The Catholic Post: April 13,1997
- Champaign Urbana News-Gazette: August 23, 1995
- Monthly column in The Active Boomers& Seniors www.TheActiveSeniors.com
- Edits and publishes monthly e-newsletter Mirth Foundation
- Featured on several TV stations in the East Central Illinois area
- Tear Drops and Jelly Beans; Humor and the Grief Process
- Injections of Joy: How to Self Medicate With Humor
- Giggles and God: Exploring Humanity, Humor and the Divine
- Remember Life in the Sandbox? Stress Management for Corporate Whiners
AATH Member Since 1995