The Organization

Untitled Document

The Founding Doctor
DR Bumper "T" Clown, Funnyboneologist

Bumper “T” has been serving as a volunteer caring clown in many hospitals throughout southeastern Pennsylvania, Delaware, and southern New Jersey for the past 32 years. During this time he has been a mentor to numerous First of May (new) clowns, guiding many of them in the art of hospital caring clowning. In 1999, he received the Klowniterian of the Year Award (Clown of the Year) from the Mid-Atlantic Clown Association for giving a helping hand over the years to anyone who needed it. In October of 2004 Bumper "T" Clown was honored by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International by being named a Paul Harris Fellow in appreciation of tangible and significant assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world. For the past 10 years, his home and support base has been the Cooper Health System in Camden, New Jersey. His fondest dream was to establish an organization - the Bumper "T" Caring Clowns (BTCC) - to create and develop a curriculum that would train other caring clowns to serve hospitalized patients, their families, and caregivers. His vision is to set national standards, requirements, procedures, guidelines, and a certification process that would enable any hospital to feel comfortable in having a "caring clowning" program in its facility. Bumper “T” has been blessed by having four caring and loving people who have shared his dream and, through their tireless efforts and dedication, made this dream a reality.

DR CurlyBubbe a/k/a Esther Gushner is currently a volunteer Bumper "T" Caring Clown at Lankenau Hospital, Wynnewood, PA, and the Hospital University of Pennsylvania (HUP), Philadelphia, PA. Her clown name is DR CurlyBubbe. She is a “smileologist.” After receiving a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, she focused her attention on community involvement. In 1962, she became a founding member of the RNS Cancer and Heart Memorial Fund, a major fundraising arm of Atlantic City Medical Center. She had the honor of serving as the fourth president of RNS. In the '70s, New Jersey Governor Hughes appointed her to the South Jersey Bar's Ethics and Arbitration Committee. She served the Jewish Federation of Atlantic County for eighteen years and became the first woman president of the Federation. DR CurlyBubbe also served on the national speakers’ bureau of the United Jewish Appeal for many years. Since moving to Philadelphia, she has served as a volunteer docent at the University Of Pennsylvania Museum of Archeology and Anthropology. She recently completed a two-year term as chairperson of docents. As one of the founders of the Bumper "T" Caring Clowns, Inc., she helped to develop the curriculum that is used in training classes and is also an instructor as well as a member of the board. She speaks to medical, nursing, and lay groups about the benefits of therapeutic humor in hospitals.

DR HuggaBubbe a/k/a Aviva Gorstein is currently a volunteer Bumper "T" Caring Clown at Lankenau Hospital, Wynnewood, PA, Bryn Mawr Hospital, Bryn Mawr, PA, and the Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Her clown name is DR HuggaBubbe, and her specialty - “Hug Specialist” - is clearly embroidered on the sleeve of her lab coat. During her many years spent as a kindergarten teacher, she observed how frightening a hospital stay was for many children. After leaving the teaching profession, she served for 12 years as Director of Volunteers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN, where she developed programs for adults and children that helped to make the hospital stay less lonely and frightening, and more comfortable, supportive, and nurturing. Upon entering the caring clowning field eight years ago, she attended Clown Camp at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, where the entire week was devoted to Hospital/Hospice Caring Clowning. DR HuggaBubbe is one of the founders of the Bumper “T” Caring Clowns, Inc. and serves on its board. She has helped to develop the curriculum that is used in training classes, serves as an instructor and speaks to medical,nursing, and lay groups about the benefits of therapeutic humor. When her presence brings a smile and a giggle to a hospitalized patient or family member, she knows that it is never too late to find one’s “perfect niche in life”.

DR Mom a/k/a Janet Snyder was personally motivated to becoming a BTCC because of her sister, “DR CurlyBubbe.” She first met DR Bumper “T” in 2002. DR Mom is currently serving on the Bumper “T” Caring Clowns board as Treasurer and Bookkeeper. She most loves clowning because it “brings a smile to others” and “makes my life better.

DR SnickersToo a/k/a Louise Elkins, is a former pre-school teacher and Director of the United Way Volunteer Center of Southeastern Pennsylvania retired in January of 2002. Several years before retiring one of her volunteers told her about her delight in becoming a Bumper “T” Caring Clown. She decided that when she retired she would also become a “clown”. She took classes at her local Adult Night School and “Snickers The Clown” was born. As Snickers The Clown, she visits pre-school centers and libraries reading stories to children. In 2004 she decided to attend a BTCC training class held at Riddle Memorial Hospital, Lima, PA. Upon graduation DR SnickersToo, spends Monday evenings at Chester County Hospital, West Chester, PA and Riddle Memorial Hospital dispensing” free hugs and smiles” to patients, visitors and staff alike. One of her “in the moment” experiences occurred when performing a Red Nose transplant to a very sad lady. With her new nose, the patient looked in the mirror and smiled. Her husband shared that his wife had not smiled weeks. As a BTCC board member, DR SnickersToo is looking for more evening volunteers to give smiles and hugs to patients and staff.

DR Silly Reba a/k/a Reba Strong is a full-time professional entertainer who has been delighting audiences since 1980 with magic, clowning, stilt walking, and balloon sculpturing. She has attended many conventions and workshops to advance her skills in both clowning and magic. Silly Reba has been a hospital caring clown since 1996 and is honored to be one of the founding members of the Bumper "T" Caring Clowns.

DR Bucket a/k/a Robert Bleiler is one of the founders of the Bumper "T" Caring Clowns, Inc. After serving in the Army at the end of World War II, DR Bucket received his B.A. in Economics from Maryville College. After College he pursued a career in the insurance industry where he served as a superintendent of claims for a large insurance company for many years. After his retirement he started a new career as a volunteer caring clown. For the past 10 years, his home and support base has been the Cooper Health System in Camden, New Jersey. DR Bucket is part of the team that developed the curriculum and the training program for the organization.

DR Bea Well a/k/a Marilyn Bamash was first introduced to the Bumper T Caring Clowns in the surgical unit at Lankenau Hospital in Wynnewood, PA. She was nervously awaiting the surgeon's confirmation that her daughter’s surgery was successful. Along came DR Whiskers a/k/a James Fullan who was clowning that day. Noting Marilyn’s anxiety, he sang "You are my Sunshine". He then related how he went to the baseball game and caught a "fly ball," which was a fly on a ball! DR Whiskers handed her his card and left. It was at that moment she announced to her husband she would like to become a Bumper T Caring Clown. Her husband was skeptical at first, but quickly learned she was determined to achieve her goal. DR Bea Well is proud to announce she recently graduated from the Bumper T Caring Clown Training Program and is well on her way to bringing some degree of comfort to those in stressful hospital situations.

DR Bluebird Two a/k/a Margaret Yarosh recalls that many years ago, after reading Patch Adams’ book about the healing power of laughter while clowning, she became aware of a minister in Philadelphia doing this work. However, she was unable to follow up at the time because life intervened. In October 2008, while visiting a friend who was a volunteer at Cape Regional Medical Center, she was introduced to DR Daffi-Dill a/k/a/ Carol Campana, a Bumper T Caring Clown. It was the right time in Margaret’s life to give back all she was given. She followed DR Daffi-Dill’s recommendation to visit the BTCC website.

DR Snickers Too answered Margaret’s website inquiry, inviting her to join this adventure. Margaret called her good friend and daughter-in-law, Debbie, and asked her to join her in this adventure, too. Margaret and Debbie ‘shadowed’ DR Snickers Too along with NURSE Sparkle, and responded with a resounding “YES” to learn more about becoming Bumper T Caring Clowns. Since then, Margaret reports she has met a wonderful, open, caring community of BTCC Clowns and looks forward to being a part of this exciting program.

DR Bluebird Two recalls a memorable occasion when shadowing Nurse Sparkle. Upon entering a patient’s room, she noticed ahead of her were Caring Clowns, talking and listening to a patient and his family. What made this moment so special for her was that when they left, everyone was smiling including the clowns!

DR Buzzy Bee a/k/a Debbie Yarosh was introduced to Bumper T Caring Clowns by her mother-in-law, Margaret Yarosh a/k/a DR Bluebird Two. Debbie received a call from her mother-in-law asking if she would be interested in becoming a volunteer clown at the hospital. Since Margaret seemed very excited over the program and Debbie enjoyed doing things with her mother-in-law, she said yes. They started out shadowing two clowns, Nurse Sparkle and DR SnickersToo, at Chester County Hospital. It was such a wonderful experience. For Debbie, clowning started out as a way to be with her mother-in-law. Now it’s become a way of helping to making others smile. She looks forward to making her “CLOWNS ROUNDS”.

For Debbie, a magical moment that comes to mind was when she walked into an elderly patient’s room. The patient’s name was Patrick and he was alone, having no visitors during his stay. Patrick’s face lit up when the clowns entered the room. After visiting with him awhile, he just kept saying how they had made his day. It made her want to visit with him again the next day!

DR Daffy a/k/a Barbara Linton does her clowning at Paoli and Chester County Hospitals. DR Daffy first met DR Bumper “T” Clown for the first time, February 5, 2002. She was motivated to becoming a BTCC because she wanted to spread the magic of a smile. An “in the moment” experience consisted of a conversation with a lady in the main lobby of the hospital. It led to a Red Nose transplant and smiles and laughter from those who watched. She spread the joy outside as she waited for the valet to deliver her car. When she drove off, she was sill wearing the Red Nose. The atmosphere in the lobby was still upbeat and the timing was perfect for a second transplant, this time on a man. With his new Red Nose, he happily walked down the hallway to visit his daughter who just had surgery. When asked what she most likes about hospital clowning, DR Daffy says she likes connecting with the inner child and providing a diversion for patients, visitors and staff.

DR Dimples a/k/a Gene Reilly is currently a Bumper "T" Caring Clown at Phoenixville Hospital and is also spreading smiles at Cooper, Lankenau, Bryn Mawr, and Pottstown Hospitals. He is now very excited to be starting at Roxborough Memorial and Saint Christopher's Hospital. Dimples has been a caring clown for over 10 years now and is the founder of the Smile Brigade a non-profit Clown Alley in the Collegeville area. Their mission is to bring a smile to those in need. They volunteer at community events, nursing homes, Special Olympics, etc. Remember, if you see someone without a smile give them one of yours!

DR Do A Lot a/k/a Joanne Klein read a feature article about the Bumper “T” Caring Clowns in the Philadelphia Inquirer and a light bulb went off in her head and thought what a great volunteer opportunity. DR Do A Lot clowns on the Oncology floors at the Hospital of University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Her specialty is “Happyology”. When entering a patient’s room, she says, “Hello, I’m DR Do A Lot, a Bumper T Caring Clown. May I visit with you? I get a warm smile.” The show begins!

DR Figit a/k/a Anne Fennell attended classes on Hospital Clowning at a high school in southern Florida while her husband, Ed, was taking a photo workshop. Upon graduation, she searched the web for hospitals in the New Jersey area where she is a 'snowbird.' She found the web site of http://www.bumpertcaringclowns.com and was interested in learning more about the organization. The web site listed Cooper Hospital in Camden, NJ as a hospital with volunteer clowning so she approached the Director of Volunteers. While talking to the director, in walked Bumper “T” and DR Figit’s career was born!

DR Figit attended training class and worked with DR Bucket and Bumper T and now volunteers at Cooper Hospitals, Camden and Voorhees, NJ. In addition to volunteering, DR Figit assists with the training of new clowns. When in Florida, DR Figit volunteers at Bethesda Hospital in Boynton Beach, and is currently organizing a Bumper “T” group in the southern Florida area.

The satisfaction and personal pride of offering smiles and laughter to others is rewarding not only for DR Figit but finds working as a Bumper “T” Caring Clown priceless.

DR Gigglefritz a/k/a Kay Schweyer performs her clowning at St. Luke’s Hospital in Bethlehem, PA. She has always wanted to help others and loves laughter. A special “in the moment” experience for DR Gigglefritz was when a 92 year old said “You are a beautiful person – you made me smile and you’re a natural. Keep up the good job!” What DR Gigglefritz likes most about clowning is making people happy, sharing a smile and making a difference.

DR Happy Hart & DR Blue Eyes, husband and wife team, a/k/a/ Frances and Joseph Salamone have clowned at Lankenau Hospital, Wynnewood, PA; Mercy Suburban Hospital, Norristown, PA and Bryn Mawr Hospital, Bryn Mawr, PA. They first met DR Bumper “T” in October 2005. Frances clowned for three years before she moved into the hospital setting becoming DR Happy Hart. DR Blue Eyes rides an electric scooter. Being seated, he is “eye to eye” with the patients. DR Happy Hart clowns because she enjoys the smiles and appreciation of patients and hospital staff; DR Blue Eyes likes the feeling of accomplishment he gets as he brings joy to others.

DR Honey Bee a/k/a MaryAnn Biesecker began clowning at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Hamilton Square, NJ in the fall of 2008. While her association with the Caring Clowns organization is fairly new, DR Honey Bee has been bringing merriment to this same hospital for over 20 years. For 17 years as a food service worker, she was well known for her ability to bring a smile to those who frequented the hospital cafeteria. "I applaud these Caring Clowns and am so glad to be one of them. Trained in clowining at Hamilton Robert Wood Johnson University, better known as "Little Bob," DR Honey Bee loves sharing her hearty sense of humor. After retiring from the cafeteria she rejoined the hospital ranks as a volunteer. When the opportunity came to join the Caring Clowns she didn't give it a second thought. DR Honey Bee quickly embraced this new way to once again spread smiles to the patients and the hospital community.

DR Honey Bun a/k/a Marilyn Gray clowns at the Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. She first met DR Bumper “T” Clown at a group. Her motivation for becoming at BTCC came after seeing the movie “Patch Adams” wherein he helped entertain sick patients. Her favorite “in the moment” experience is when you see a patient’s face light up. What DR Honey Bun likes most about hospital clowning is helping patients, and staff, stay happy for a day.

DR I Vanna Hug RN a/k/a Sue Willis clowns at St. Lukes Hospital in Bethlehem, PA. She works full time in the hospital (as a nurse), which at times is very stressful. Clowning is a wonderful outlet and an opportunity to do something positive for patients. Ivanna Hug RN most likes hospital clowning because it is a wonderful feeling to do something she loves!

Nurse Kit N. Kaboodle a/k/a Kitty Pinder is from Hamilton, NJ. She is a former accounting clerk with the McGraw-Hill Companies. Nurse Kit N. Kaboodle belongs to the Ladies auxiliary at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in Hamilton. She was introduced to the Bumper T Caring Clowns by a newsletter that was mailed to members. In it, there was an article on DR Bumper "T" Caring Clowns. Nurse Kit N. Kaboodle immediately called the volunteer office and became a Bumper "T" Caring Clown. Nurse Kit N. Kaboodle says clowning is a rewarding experience for her and it is her honor to be a member of this group of caring people.

DR Kook N Heimer a/k/a Sue Drew first met Bumper “T” and Reba at a convention in 2003. She was convinced immediately that she wanted to be apart of this wonderful endeavor. In addition to her clowning, DR Kook N Heimer’s real life job is a psychiatric nurse. She clowns at the Peninsula Regional Hospital in Salisbury and Shore Memorial in Easton, MD. One of her favorite stories is of a nurse asking her to visit a terminally ill man. He invited her in and found he was alert enough to be able to laugh and play. He was so energized that he decided to accept a “Red Nose” nose transplant. The following week she came to pay him a visit and recognized that his medical condition had deteriorated. The family was deeply concerned. The elderly patient had become silent and withdrawn. However, when the patient saw the clowns he recognized us immediately, sat up in bed and started to laugh even in his weakened condition. Talk about making a difference!! On that day there were tears of joy all around. DR Kook N Heimer likes to use the Smiley-Face Stickers as an elevator pass or a hall pass. In the end she gets paid with smiles and laughs and she tells the people they are tax-free!!

Nurse NaNa Banana a/k/a Sandy Kingsley teams up with DR Sun E. Shine at Riddle Memorial Hospital. As a retired nurse, Nurse NaNa Banana was looking for a volunteer position in a hospital setting. She always enjoyed interacting with patients when in nursing and this gave her an opportunity to do what she loved most. An “in the moment” experience came about for her when a visitor, whose mother was in critical condition, asked if he could have a red nose like mine. She allowed him to chose a nose from her “nose garden”. He told her that this interaction raised his spirits. He wore the nose into his mother’s room to bring a smile to the other family members. Just seeing someone smile or say she’s made his or her day, is why she loves hospital clowning.

DR Peek-a-Boo ICU a/k/a Kathleen Thackham clowns at Bryn Mawr Hospital, Bryn Mawr, PA. She first met DR Bumper “T” Clown for the first time at a training session at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Langhorne, PA in June 2005. She has been clowning as a Ministry/entertainment clown for over 23 years. As a cancer survivor she needs to reach others in a more personal way. Clowning has been a long dream of DR Peek-a-Boo ICU. When asked what she most likes about clowning, DR Peek-a-Boo ICU said the ability to give of oneself to those who are hurting so much, the hope that somehow she has been able to touch their hearts.

DR Periwinkle a/k/a Cathie Degen was first motivated in becoming a BTCC when she understood what it was like to be ill and need a gentle touch. DR Periwinkle does her clowning at Abington Memorial Hospital in Abington, PA. Her most memorable “in the moment” experience was when she was blessed to be able to visit with our own Jolly Jackie who has since passed away. What DR Periwinkle likes most about hospital clowning is meeting people and the fulfillment it gives to be able to help in some small way.

DR Rosie Cheeks a/k/a Donna Dorworth does her clowning at Cooper University Hospital. She first became interested in Bumper T Caring Clowns (BTCC) after reading the article Caring Clowns Seek Volunteers to Join Ranks in the Cooper News, a newspaper for Cooper employees.

Not only does DR Rosie Cheeks “clown” at Cooper University Hospital, she has been employed there since 1987 when she worked in the Finance Department. DR Rosie Cheeks currently holds the position as Accounts Payable Supervisor. Over the years she has made some incredible friends all of which she refers to as her “Cooper Family.” “The support system is phenomenal. I “wish” all could be blessed with such support,” she says.

DR Rosie Cheeks “wishes” all good things for BTCC, which is why she “wished” to join their elite ranks, knowing that they were in need of volunteers. “The more the merrier - right? What could be better than bringing a smile to someone’s face?”

DR Rosie Cheeks first met DR Bumper T in September 2008 and has since been making "rounds" as Cooper. Now that DR Rosie Cheeks is a Bumper T Caring Clown, she "wishes" to have someone pair up with her. Any interested parties please contact BTCC via e-mail at info@bumpertcaringclowns.com. By the way DR Rosie Cheeks is a “wishologist,” couldn’t you tell?

DR Smilie Pie a/k/a Margaret (Meg) Murphy clowns at St. Lukes Hospital in Bethlehem, PA. She first met DR Bumper “T” Clown in the training class in the spring of 2004. DR Smile Pie was personally motivated into becoming a BTCC when she saw an article about the program in her local newspaper and it “called” to her. DR Smilie Pie most likes clowning because she can be of service to people in need; she likes meeting, talking with people, and making connections with other clowns because we are bonded by a common and shared mission.

DR Sun E. Shine a/k/a Ellen Baracca clowns at Riddle Memorial Hospital, Lima, PA. A retired teacher, DR Sun E. Shine became a clown to make people happy. When asked about an “in the moment” experience, it’s great when a patient looks at us and says ‘you made my day’ when we haven’t ‘done’ anything yet! DR Sun E. Shine most likes hospital clowning because she feels personally rewarded that she’s made a little difference in a patient’s day and put a smile on their face.

DR StumbleMore a/k/a Blake Thomson, has been a volunteer caring clown for the past 7 years. After graduating from Moosecamp in 2001 and majoring in Caring Clowning, he began making hospital rounds. He did clown rounds weekly, for three years at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital in Salinas, CA, moving on to Washington State, he now makes weekly rounds at Whidbey General Hospital in Coupeville, WA. After reading an article about the Bumper T Caring Clowns, DR StumbleMore flew to New Jersey in the fall of 2006 to meet with the Bumper T Caring Group in order to learn how this group has become so successful. He was so impressed he enrolled as a private student with Bumper T at Cooper University Hospital. Traveling coast to coast, DR StumbleMore attended class and shadowed Bumper T at Cooper. Upon graduation DR StumbleMore is now representing Bumper T Caring Clowns at Whidbey General Hospital in Couperville, WA.

DR Talk A Lot a/k/a Gailann Cioffi of Middlesex, NJ is a psychiatric nurse by profession. She is bubbly, strong willed, loves people and is always there to lend a listening ear. DR Talk A Lot also has a degree in being a Mom with two boys, Robert, age 24, and Richard, age 20. She enjoys and has found a love in volunteering. Her mentors are DR Bumper "T" and DR Bucket. DR Talk A Lot says, "What an honor it is to join this most endearing organization. I applaud these Caring Clowns and am so glad to be one of them." She trained in clowning at Hamilton Robert Wood Johnson University, better known as "Little Bob," and believes that laughs are really what it is all about!

DR Whiskers a/k/a James Fullan feels his clown motivation comes from making people happy. When asked to share an “in the moment” experience, he admits there are far too many to mention. DR Whiskers clowns at Bryn Mawr Hospital, Bryn Mawr, PA; Lankenau Hospital, Wynnewood, PA and Paoli Hospital, Paoli, PA. He most likes clowning because it makes people smile and be happy.