Jim O'Doherty

Award-winning Television Comedy Writer
Jim O'Doherty is an award-winning comedy writer, working on some of television's biggest shows like Seinfeld,That 70's Show and Two and a Half Men. He was one of the driving forces behind 3rd. Rock from the Sun and has been a two time Emmy nominee and the recipient of Tvs coveted Golden Globe.

Treasured Member of the Hospice Community
O'Doherty is also a treasured member of the hospice family, working as both a volunteer and a speaker at national conferences. Jim is the recipient of the National Angel Award. He has been honored by The National Hospice Organization in Washington. Jim has also been recognized by countless hospitals, wellness communities and Nursing organizations for his commitment to improving the lives of health care professionals.

Wellness Community Advocate
O'Doherty was one of the hottest stand-up comics in the country when his 16-year-old brother was diagnosed with brain cancer. Interrupting his career, he joined his family at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. Observing how his brother used humor as a tool to fight for his life, O'Doherty began to discover that humor was much more than just telling jokes. He channeled that insight into designing a unique humor workshop and offered it to The Wellness Community, a national support organization for cancer patients. It showed people facing life-threatening diseases that understanding humor was a vital element in their fight to be well.

The workshop quickly became the best-attended program The Wellness Community offered. It has since been presented at wellness communities, hospitals and medical centers nationwide. When O'Doherty noticed that a growing segment of his audience was made up of doctors, nurses and health care professionals, he realized that his presentation speaks not only to the sick, but also to anyone whose life could be enhanced by a greater understanding of humor.

Jim O'Doherty is one of the most innovative and original speakers available to today's healthcare community. He brings to his dynamic presentations a clear and articulate understanding of humor and how it relates to people in the world of healthcare, including patients, their families, and healthcare providers. His presentation leaves audiences feeling reconnected with their personal mission.

Cancer Program:: The Art of Keeping Other People Alive Without Killing Yourself
When Jim's younger brother was diagnosed with brain cancer, he saw first hand how devastating that news could be on a family. Putting his comedy career on hold to care for his brother, Jim quickly realized that going from being a brother to a caregiver is an adjustment you make without a script. It's where love takes over and your life is about serving someone else. Jim did everything for his brother but drew the line when his brother, thinking his cat was fat, requested Jim begin walking his cat. A few nights later Jim heard his brother on the phone telling someone that "his angel won't walk his cat". Using his humor and experience, Jim's keynote is ideal for Life Celebrations, Survivor Day Events or any setting where recognizing the role of the caregiver is one of the objectives.
Jim's brother is a fifteen year survivor of Glioblastoma

Five Things Dying People Have Taught Me About Living: My Accidental Journey into the World of Serious Illness
Jim has been a hospice volunteer for the last fifteen years. One of television's biggest comedy writers combines his sense of humor and unique perspective into the world of serious illness with a presentation that will recharge batteries and reconnect people to their passion for working in this field. As one hospice worker said, When Jim speaks, he opens a window on his soul. It reminds us of ours.

Humor and Healing Workshop (3 hours)
Jim O'Doherty combines comedy he uses daily from the entertainment world and his unique perspective into the world of healthcare for a highly charged and deeply poignant work shop specifically designed for healthcare providers. When his brother was diagnosed with brain cancer he realized that humor was the first thing people lose with a serious illness. He teaches how to put the power of humor into a patient's arsenal in their fight to be well. Through Jim's use of improvization, role-playing and creative channeling, the workshop is hands on and highly interactive. Jim has presented this workshop for thousands of healthcare professionals all over the country and the results are always the same -- hysterical laughter, a few tears and a spontaneous standing ovation.