Amy Zelenski, PhD, assistant professor (CHS), General Internal Medicine, was featured in stories about using the techniques of improvisational theater to facilitate empathy and communication skills among health care providers. 

Dr. Zelenski teaches a six-week, one-credit course on the topic through the UW School of Medicine and Public Health. 

“A lot of people know improv as a form of sketch comedy, and it is that. But improv really pulls together many skills that are necessary for communication in the health care environment,” she said.

Resources:

• "Yes, and....," On Wisconsin magazine, Summer 2017
• "Health care professionals use improv to better connect with patients," WMTV NBC-15, June 8, 2017
• Dr. Amy Zelenski: Medical Education Research on Empathy and Communication