We are pleased and proud to provide a list of some of the people whose work supports and guides the content of the workshop. Click here for the complete Advisory Committee bios.

Dr. Lee Berk, Loma Linda University; pioneer researcher studying positive emotions/behaviors and their biochemical/physiological effects on stress hormones and immune system components in the field of Psychoneuroimmunology.   

Dr. William Fry, Jr., Emeritus Associate Clinical Professor at the Stanford University School of Medicine and a Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. He is an original member of the International Society for Humor Studies, from which organization he received the 1998 Lifetime Achievement Award. He is author of over 150 articles, chapters, forewords, and reviews on the subject of humor, as well as other subjects. Dr. Fry is credited with the seminal studies of laughter & cardiovascular health.

 Dr. Clifford Kuhn, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Louisville School of Medicine; author of “The Fun Factor”.  At the University of Louisville, Dr. Kuhn has served as Chief of Adult Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, Director of Residency Training and Associate Chairman of Psychiatry. His clinical focus is the field of mind/body medicine. He has published articles on comprehensive approaches to chronic pain and has developed an inventory for assessing spiritual health of medical patients.

Working with cancer patients and their families, Dr. Kuhn has learned to appreciate the healing benefits of laughter. His experience as a professional comedian gives him a unique perspective on the application of humor in a wide variety of settings. In addition to his popular solo presentation and workshops, he teams up with famed comedian Jerry Lewis to present internationally acclaimed medical seminars on laughter and healing.

Dr. Robert R. Provine is Professor of Psychology and Assistant Director of the Neuroscience Program at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. He has authored over 50 research papers concerning developmental neuroscience and the neural mechanisms of behavior, conducting studies on over 30 species, using techniques ranging from electrophysiology and tissue culture to field studies. He came to the study of laughter and human ethology from a background in neuroembryology, having studied and published with Nobel Prize and National Medal of Science winners. Author of Laughter: A Scientific Investigation.

Katherine Puckett, National Director of Mind Body Medicine, Cancer Treatment Centers of America.

Dr. Neil Shulman, Associate Professor, Emory U. School of Medicine; noted author, lecturer. 

Dr. Patty Wooten, RN, PhN, reknowned lecturer And she is the author of three books, Heart Humor and Healing, Compassionate Laughter and her newest release Hospital Clowns - A Closer Look.