Comedy & Wellness Research

How Comedy and Medicine Connect: Breaking Down Bias and Building Empathy in Healthcare

At The Lighthause Studios, we believe in the power of comedy not only to entertain but also to heal, transform, and connect. Recently, I had the privilege of working alongside the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Medicine on a groundbreaking study that brought my comedy experience into the world of medical education. Titled “Standup Comedy Principles and the Personal Monologue to Explore Interpersonal Bias”, this study brought together two worlds close to my heart: Chicago’s vibrant comedy scene and its medical community, with the goal of fostering empathy and understanding between future clinicians and their patients.

As a longtime Chicagoan and someone who has spent years performing and teaching comedy across the city, this project held deep significance for me. Chicago’s healthcare system is as complex and multifaceted as the communities it serves, and I’ve seen firsthand the impact of disparities in healthcare on my own community. This study gave me a powerful opportunity to address these issues from a new angle, blending the insights I’ve gathered from comedy with the mission of creating more compassionate, culturally sensitive care in our healthcare system.

In my years teaching stand-up comedy, I’ve seen how comedy skills go far beyond the stage. Teaching students how to read a room, honor their own identity, and build quick rapport are skills that translate directly into medicine, education, and community work. Whether it’s through recognizing the power of a good first impression, setting a positive tone like a show’s host, or learning to handle “hecklers” with grace, these tools empower people to engage with others authentically and empathetically.

Our workshop with Pritzker’s first-year medical students invited them into the art of stand-up comedy—not to teach them to tell jokes, but to help them see themselves and others more clearly. Through exercises like “Rant and Rave,” where students took strong stances on seemingly simple topics, and “Personal Monologue,” where they explored how others perceive them versus how they perceive themselves, we gave students a chance to break down assumptions and examine the lens through which they view others. Comedy, at its best, holds up a mirror to society, exposing truths and dismantling preconceptions. This workshop allowed students to experience this firsthand, giving them tools to better understand and empathize with their future patients from all walks of life.

As a professional comedian and Chicago native, I know that a good comedy show doesn’t just entertain—it creates a safe space where people can confront hard truths. Our workshop aimed to do just that. By combining authenticity, vulnerability, and a bit of humor, we helped these students explore difficult subjects like identity, bias, and cultural perceptions in a way that was both challenging and supportive. They came away with a stronger sense of self-awareness and empathy, skills that will serve them well as they go on to serve Chicago’s diverse communities.

At The Lighthause Studios, we carry this mission forward. Every session, workshop, or community event we offer is built on the same foundation: using laughter, wellness, and open-hearted exploration to foster connection and healing. Whether we’re helping individuals release trapped emotions, align their energy, or simply laugh together, we’re committed to creating spaces where people feel truly seen and understood. This study, which brought these principles into the world of healthcare, is a testament to the impact that comedy and compassionate listening can have in bridging divides and building a healthier, more empathetic society.

Thank you to Dr. Chin, a former comedy student of mine, for his role in bringing this vision to life. Working together, we’re demonstrating that wellness, empathy, and laughter are as essential to healing as any clinical skill. If you’d like to experience these transformative practices for yourself, join us at The Lighthause Studios, where we blend the arts with wellness to bring healing and connection to all.