Mission
Hearts & Noses Hospital Clown Troupe is a Boston-based nonprofit that brings therapeutic medical clowning to children and adults in hospitals, care facilities, and beyond, offering moments of joy and connection that support healing.
Every stage of life deserves laughter, connection, and dignity.
From newborns to nonagenarians, we bring moments of humanity across generations, often in life’s most difficult and vulnerable times.
Whether it’s a child and their family navigating a new diagnosis or an elder living with memory loss, we show up with presence, openness, and heart.
At Hearts & Noses, we are partners in healing.
History
After a life-changing trip to Russia with Patch Adams, our founder Jeannie Lindheim returned to Boston committed to bringing the light and love of medical clowning to children in local hospitals. In 1996, she founded Jeannie Lindheim’s Hospital Clown Troupe, which was renamed Hearts & Noses Hospital Clown Troupe in 2006.
In those early days, groups of clowns in brightly mismatched clothing would visit pediatric units to bring cheer to young patients. As the field of therapeutic clowning evolved into a respected and patient-centered practice, the Troupe embraced a new model. In 2006, Hearts & Noses brought on an Artistic Director to develop greater clowning and improvisational partnering skills, and a more structured approach to medical clowning.
Today
In pediatric units of hospitals, pairs of trained clowns work in partnership during scheduled shifts, consistently bringing connection, joy, and a sense of normalcy to children during hospital stays.
In recent years, the Troupe has expanded to deliver our unique brand of clowning to people living with dementia in long-term and memory care settings.
These visits often include music, gentle humor, and emotional presence, bringing moments of connection to individuals who may otherwise experience confusion or isolation.
As elder clowning expert Magdalena Schamberger describes it, the impact of these visits is often a “happiness hangover” – patients and residents remain lifted long after we leave.
Our CLOWNS
PEDIATRIC CLOWNS
Tic Toc
Clown since 1999
Frizzle
Clown since 1999
Buddy
Clown since 2001
Juggles
Clown since 2001
Toodles
Clown since 2010
YoYo
Clown since 2014
Moco
Clown since 2014
Dr. Bumble
Clown since 2016
Georgia
Clown since 2016
Dr. Mensch
Clown since 2017
Babka
Clown since 2018
Flora
Clown since 2024
ELDER CLOWNS
Miss Millie
Clown since 1999
Cookie
Clown since 2016
Mr. Mensch
Clown since 2017
Babka
Clown since 2018
Dapper Dan
Clown since 2017
Mitzvah
Clown since 2025
Cheeky
Event Clown, Clown since 1996
In Memoriam - Warmly remembering our friends
Mark Gorman
“Booogle” was an original to the troupe. He brought huge character and heart to every visit and is a presence to this day.
Marilyn Strong
“Fairy Wings” fluttered through the halls with silly lightness for many years and at numerous events.
Bob Keaney
Oops-CEE-Day-Zee” came on after meeting us through his daughter who is a pediatric nurse. He brought clown joy and balloon sculpture to many events at our partner organizations.
Jen Ross
“Dusty Star” was a sweet soul, brilliant at being wisely-dumb and a favorite of teen girls.