Hospi Sonrisas, a non-profit organization, recently graduated 21 new clown doctors who will now work with Social Security.

The style of Clown Doctor is inspired by the philosophy of Hunter Doherty "Patch" Adams, a U.S. physician, author, clown, social activist and comedian.

Adams founded the Gesundheit! Institute in 1971. Each year he also organized volunteers from around the world to travel to various countries where they dress as clowns to bring humor to orphans and patients.

Social Security has reported that their new volunteers are highly skilled professionals from diverse fields such as education, psychology, engineering, and health. Their work is crucial as it has a positive impact on patients, their families, and healthcare workers.

For 16 years, clown doctors have been providing their services in public clinics and hospitals.

According to Marta Eugenia Esquivel-Rodríguez, the president of Social Security, the mission of the new generation is both simple and profound. They are charged with spreading love, smiles, and surprises, and are committed to carrying out this noble mission with magic and dedication.

To become a clown, doctors must complete a two-year training program which includes a rigorous recruitment and selection process involving interviews and auditions before they can begin their training.

During their training, doctors learn a variety of skills including leadership tools, soft skills, emotional intelligence, and artistic techniques such as acting, improvisation, and clowning. They also receive training in topics like intrahospital infections, palliative care, and grief, all of which are aimed at helping them specialize in using art as a means of intervention in a hospital setting.

As volunteers, clown doctors dedicate around 150 hours per month to working in Social Security clinics and hospitals.

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