The clinic clowns from UKSH and the Medical Clowns from the Greater Bay Area have a shared mission: to bring joy and lightheartedness to everyday life in the clinic. With humor, music, and spontaneous encounters, they create moments that alleviate fears and support healing processes—for patients, relatives, and even clinic staff.

In October, Josh Matthews, Artistic Program Director of the Medical Clown Project, came to Kiel and Hamburg for a workshop with the clinic clowns.

The concept originated in the USA and was developed in 1968 by Patch Adams, a doctor, social activist, and clown. The Kiel-based „Klinikcläune“ made their first appearance on St. Nicholas Day in 2003 in the children's cancer ward and accompany both children and adults. Dressed in white coats and equipped with humorous doctor's accessories, they reenact individual „visits“ tailored to the needs of each child or adult.

Pictures 3, 4, and 5 were taken at the 20th anniversary celebration of the Klinikcläune (source: UKSH).

More information at www.klinikcläune.de and medicalclownproject.org