Boynton Improv Education, LLC
Home base: Portsmouth, NH - Works with Healthcare Organizations USA
Contact:
603-205-3509
Social:
Services:
Applied/Medical Improv for Healthcare
Train-the-Trainer Coaching
Speaking
Writing
Testimonials:
Thank you for a spectacular workshop. I really appreciate the way in which you put improv exercises in the context of medicine. Honestly, your workshop was worth the price of admission to the conference.
Best,
Gerre
Gerre Garrett
Instructor-Drexel University
And:
Beth Boynton has a clear vision of what is needed in her field and is an excellent facilitator. — Gary Schwartz
About:
I am passionate about using improv to develop ‘soft’ skills in individuals and organizations who are interested in and receptive to this method. As an RN for >30 years I know it is an effective way to impact chronic problems with critical outcomes such as patient safety, patient experience, and workforce health.
I came to improv in the late 90s b/c my young son (now 28) was thriving in theatre and otherwise shy. We took and adult ed class. I was surprised to find that many skills and behaviors I was learning to understand about myself and develop in psychotherapy (following divorce) could be practiced in improv. I also discovered that practicing my new assertiveness in healthcare as an RN was impossible b/c of the culture. So I went to grad school in org and mgt where I loved EQ, group dynamics and process, and coaching stuff. Still intrigued with improv, I continued classes on my own and for my MS practicum developed a model using theatre games to build EQ in kids. That’s when I learned about Viola Spolin’s work and was around 2003-2005. I did some interesting work with kids following my MS and was called back to healthcare for a teaching job. This was back when the Institute of Medicine began publishing reports on how many medical errors we were making and the connection that communication skills had in almost all of them. At that point I decided to build my business as an Organizational Development Consultant specializing in ‘soft’ skill work in healthcare. Over time and with continued personal growth with improv I integrated experiential activities in my workshops. More & more it became obvious to me in the classroom - improv works. Around 2011 I presented at a public health forum at NYU Steinhart on using improv to promote communication and collaboration skills in healthcare professionals. This experience solidified my commitment to improv and led to this workshop and youtube on interruptions: https://youtu.be/PGK9_CkhRNw an invitation to attend the first training w/ Katie Watson and Belinda Fu at NWUFSM. Over the last 10 years I’ve written 3 books, including a text book on communication in healthcare and the industry first book on medical improv. I have just finished co-authoring the 3rd edition of a textbook on complexity leadership for nurses which will now have 2-3 pages on medical improv aka applied improv as an intervention! My son, meanwhile, teaches drama at an international school in India & we have an ing relationship!