Hospitals often can be a scary place for children who are not only sick or injured, but also away from home. Flagstaff Medical Center’s new Caring Clown Program is helping to bring laughter and smiles to its young patients.

FMC is joining hospitals around the nation to bring smiles, laughter, a joke or a magic trick to the bedside of patients. The clowns are able to assist in reliving discomfort, anxiety and fear among patients. FMC’s Pediatric Department and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit are excited to have this program available to its young patients.

FMC employees, Janet Wilson, R.N., Certified Laughter Leader, aka Laffy Taffy the Clown; Vera Stalker, patient care technician, aka Pokey Dot the Clown; and the Volunteer Services Department have developed the Caring Clown Program at FMC. As the program grows, Caring Clowns will bring smiles and laughter to all FMC units.

For more information on this program contact Volunteer Services at 928 773-2225.