GRICE
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Fifteen years of “clowning around” has resulted in a prestigious honor for Kimatha Oxford Grice, associate professor of occupational therapy. Grice just learned that she has received an “Excellence in Clowning” award from Clowns of America International, a performing arts organization with more than 5,000 members in 18 countries around the world.

Grice, known in costume as “Tutti Frutti,” has incorporated clowning into her professional life and as a volunteer. She first became a clown in 1991, volunteering in hospitals and nursing homes in Houston.

After joining the Health Science Center in 1995 she started a similar clowning program called TLC — Tender Loving Clowns — at Methodist Hospital. She also is one of the founders of a local clowning organization, the Jolly Joeys, whose members visit nursing homes, churches, schools and other non-profit organizations for a donation.

Scientific benefits of humor
“There is scientific evidence that humor is beneficial,” Grice said, including:
∙ Improving the circulation and air exchange in the cardiovascular system
∙ Reducing anxiety
∙ Relieving stress

Grice incorporates humor and her clowning skills into her profession in several ways:

Therapy
“I am a certified hand therapist, and I have used balloon sculpturing with my patients. It is good for hand manipulation and for strengthening the grip,” she said.

Teaching
In the classroom, Grice tries to incorporate the use of humor and cartoons that relate to the subject matter to put her students at ease. She has even developed her own cartoon character, Professor Featherbrain, who wears a lab coat and thick eyeglasses.

Humor class
Grice also teaches a one-hour course on campus called “Laughter is the Best Medicine.”
“The purpose of the class is to make students aware of the scientific research and benefits involved in using humor in health care,” she explained. “Humor is a great coping mechanism and there is a high burnout rate among health care professionals,” she said. “The course gives students techniques to not only help themselves but to effectively use humor with their patients,” she said.

“I consider the Excellence in Clowning award a real honor,” Grice said. “To be eligible for it, you have to complete many hours in service to the art, continuing growth and service to the community with clowning. In addition, you must be recommended by your clown peers. I guess this is the part that makes it such an honor — to be recognized by your fellow clowns!”

Do you want to be a clown, too?
Grice is always looking for people who are interested in becoming clowns. For more information, contact Grice at oxford@uthscsa.edu or by calling 210-567-8886.