Now accepting a limited number of engagements

Laughter is serious medicine.

David M. Jacobson, LCSW, prescribes humor to healthcare teams and leaders who are tired, stressed and stretched thin. He has been taking his own medicine since a severe arthritis diagnosis at 22.

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5.0 / 5 average rating in verified event organizer reviews
David M. Jacobson, keynote speaker and Certified Humor Professional, smiling at the podium
Trusted by
Arthritis FoundationAmerican Cancer SocietyU.S. Environmental Protection AgencyUSDA Forest ServicePhoenix Children’s HospitalBanner HealthUniversity of ArizonaCity of San JoséNational Kidney FoundationAORNCalifornia Dept. of RehabilitationSamaritan Health System
The prescription

What is your audience carrying right now?

Pick what your people are dealing with. David will write the prescription.

1Choose the symptom that sounds most like your team

Every program is tailored to your theme and audience, from hospital staff and nurses to managers and government teams.

Your prescription will appear here.Choose a symptom to begin.

Humor Horizons
Prescribed by David M. Jacobson
LCSW, C.H.P.

Diagnosis
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Prescription
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Expected results
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Side effects
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See this keynote Check availability
The story

Diagnosed at 22. Still laughing.

Before David taught humor as medicine, he had to learn to take it himself. Scroll the ride.

David Jacobson riding a unicycle in El Tour de Tucson

50 miles. One wheel. David finished El Tour de Tucson on a unicycle, with severe arthritis.

Read David’s full story

1980 · Age 22

The diagnosis

A severe form of arthritis. Doctors could treat his joints. Nobody could tell him how to live with the pain, so he went looking for his own medicine.

The discovery

Humor as a coping skill

He studied humor the way a clinician studies any treatment: what it does to the body, the mind and our relationships. Then he put it to work, every day.

The career

Caring for the caregivers

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and psychotherapist, David rose to Chief of Social Work for the Phoenix VA Health System and Director of Behavioral Health Case Management at Banner University Medical Center in Tucson.

Banner Health Top 10% LeaderUA College of Medicine instructor
January 8, 2011

When Tucson needed steady hands

After the Tucson shooting, David led behavioral health case management at University Medical Center for survivors and their families, work that earned him a personal thank-you from President Barack Obama.

David Jacobson with President Barack Obama at University Medical Center, Tucson
With President Obama at University Medical Center, Tucson.
The ride

50 miles on one wheel

He rode the 50-mile El Tour de Tucson on a unicycle and took home a trophy for the event’s most unique bicycle. The Arthritis Foundation named him a National Hero Overcoming Arthritis.

Today

Humor Horizons is back

After a distinguished career in healthcare leadership, David is relaunching Humor Horizons, taking a limited number of engagements each month for organizations that want their people to leave lighter, healthier and better equipped to lead.

Signature keynotes

Two keynotes. One life-changing idea.

If you can change the way you think, you can change the way you feel. Each program blends story, research and audience participation, as a keynote, breakout or workshop.

David Jacobson presenting Laughing to Ease the Pain at a healthcare conference
Keynote 01
Humor & Health

Laughing to Ease the Pain

The role of therapeutic humor in coping with illness and everyday stress

  • The physical, psychological and social benefits of therapeutic humor
  • How humor helps people cope with health challenges and daily stress
  • Practical humor strategies your audience can use the next day
For hospitals, nursing & allied health, patient groups, wellness programs
David Jacobson using playful humor while leading a workshop
Keynote 02
Humor & Leadership

Highly Humorous Leadership

A lighthearted but effective approach to supervision and management

  • Ways humor improves communication at every level
  • Team-building humor techniques leaders can practice
  • The line between appropriate and inappropriate humor at work
For healthcare leaders, managers, government agencies, HR teams
Also available as workshops: Resiliency Amidst ChangeUsing Humor to Enhance Diversity Acceptance
From the evaluations

“Humor is truly a healing therapy and we need to remember its value.”

Sunny, R.N., C.P.N.  ·  Valley Pediatric Committee, Samaritan Health System

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Verified reviews from event organizers on The Bash. “Extremely funny, yet thought provoking.” Raxha B., Tempe, AZ

What organizers say

Rated the highest. Asked back.

Thank you again for making this one of the best training days for the Department of Rehabilitation.
MMary A.District Training Coordinator, California Department of Rehabilitation
Attendees rated your presentation the highest, for usefulness, quality of presentation, knowledge gained and objectives met.
NNola H., RDTraining & Conference Coordinator, Nevada WIC Program
You are truly an example of courage and grace and you are an inspiration to all of us.
PPaul A.Group Vice President, Arthritis Foundation
Your “R.E.A.C.H. for Humor” workshop was fantastic!
EEunice M.Training Committee, City of San José Employee Conference
Your participation and your humor certainly contributed to the fun, the increased awareness and the friendship that the teens enjoyed.
TTamara S., RNNephrology Coordinator, Phoenix Children’s Hospital
It was truly a pleasure to work with you this year! I am definitely looking forward to future collaboration.
AAlexander T. Taft IIIFounder, Foundation for the Advancement of CardioThoracic Surgical Care
We trust you know how much CAHSA valued your participation at our annual meeting.
JJanice C.Director of Education & Events, California Association of Homes and Services for the Aging
David Jacobson at the podium in front of the AATH Humor Academy Certified Humor Professional banner
Funny, with credentials.
Why planners choose David

Not just funny. Clinically grounded.

Your audience gets the laughs of a seasoned performer and the substance of a clinician who has spent his career caring for people under pressure.

Certified Humor ProfessionalAATH’s three-year, graduate-level Humor Academy
MSW, LCSWLicensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist
Healthcare executivePhoenix VA Health System and Banner University Medical Center
Medical educatorInstructor, University of Arizona College of Medicine
Watch David

See the medicine in action.

Planning an event?David tailors every program to your theme and audience. Check availability →
Books by David

Take the laughter home.

Three books on humor, leadership and emotional wellbeing. A perfect take-home for your attendees.

Book cover of 7½ Habits to Help You Become More Humorous, Happier and HealthierWriter’s Digest Honoree

7½ Habits to Help You Become More Humorous, Happier & Healthier

Simple, daily habits for using humor to face life’s challenges.

Buy on Amazon →
Book cover of Highly Humorous Leadership by David M. Jacobson

Highly Humorous Leadership

A fun, effective approach to management and supervision, and the keynote’s companion guide.

Buy on Amazon →
Book cover of The Jacobson Joy Inventory: A New Look at Measuring DepressionIndie Book Awards Finalist

The Jacobson Joy Inventory

A new, more optimistic look at measuring depression, used in research collaboration with the University of Arizona.

Buy on Amazon →
Now booking select engagements

Your audience’s next good laugh starts here.

David accepts a limited number of keynotes each month. Share a few details about your event and he will personally get back to you.

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