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ForwardCommunication and Leadership in Healthcare: "Think Faster. Communicate Better."
In today’s fast‐paced healthcare environment, clinicians are routinely called upon to make quick decisions, communicate clearly, and adapt to unpredictable situations. This interactive course
uses principles of improvisation to help clinicians strengthen these essential skills. Using proven techniques from performing arts, participants will explore and practice techniques to improve
adaptability, foster collaboration, and enhance patient‐centered communication. This course emphasizes real‐world application to clinical reasoning, interdisciplinary teamwork, and providing compassionate care in times of uncertainty.
Learning Objectives
1. Identify four core principles of applied improvisation and their relevance in healthcare.
2. Apply improv‐based strategies to promote effective communication, psychological safety, and creative problem‐solving in clinical settings.
3. Use improvisational techniques to enhance clinical reasoning, build empathy, and improve patient‐centered care when outcomes are uncertain.
4. Develop practical skills for collaboration and adaptability, including strategies for active listening, turning “no” into “yes,” and thinking outside the box when navigating
complex care situations.
Additional Information
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
 Medical Improv Course Flyer 2027.pdf | 2.14 MB |
Communication and Leadership in Healthcare: COURSE SCHEDULE
- 8-8:30: Improvisation intro and warm-up
- 8:30-10:30: lecture: History of Improvisation, Applied Improvisation, Medical Improvisation
- Did you know that comedy improvisation’s roots are in social work? Let us tell you more!
- 10:30-12:00: Principles of Medical Improvisation
- Change your mindset in a way that allows you to show up for your patients and coworkers using four key lessons.
- 12-12:30: Lunch
- 12:30-1:30: Application workshop 1: Small group medical improvisation activities
- Start practicing in small and safe groups. We’re all friends here.
- 1:30-2:30: All group debrief
- 2:30-4:00: Application workshop 2: All group medical improvisation activities and debrief
- Some are destined for the stage; others for the audience. Both are important.
- 4:00-4:30: Course wrap-up and all group takeaways
Learners should park in their designated employee parking location.
Judy Gelber DPT, OCS, PhD(c) is a PhD candidate in Leadership Studies at the University of Nebraska Lincoln with a research focus on leadership development and clinician well‐being. With nearly two decades of experience in physical therapy education and practice, her teaching and research center on positive psychology, communication, and leadership development specific to healthcare professionals. Dr. Gelber previously served on the faculty of the Program in Physical Therapy at Washington University in St. Louis (2007–2016) and later helped establish the Sports Physical Therapy Department at Children’s Hospital Omaha. Clinically, she is Board Certified in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy with expertise in foot and ankle conditions, gait and running analysis, and the orthopedic management of fitness athletes.
Mary Clare Coghlan MA, is a senior lecturer Johns Hopkins’ Center for Leadership Education, where she teaches applied improvisation as a leadership skill to undergraduate engineers and pre-medical students. Ms Coghlan holds a Masters Degree in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University and has completed improvisation training out of Second City in Chicago.
A former professional volleyball player, and volleyball coach for the United States Naval Academy, Ms. Coghlan leverages her experiences in athletics, military, business and education to help others bring their best selves to current and future teams. She is passionate about improvisation and has presented her work nationally.
A general certificate of attendance will be given to all providers to submit for their licensure - 6.50 hours will be awarded.
Available Credit
- 8.00 Attendance