René’s own struggle with lung cancer has bound her tightly to many patient-care and out-patient support concerns.  Her experiences related to the healing power of laughter are exemplified by the sentiments expressed by Voltaire--French author and philosopher, “The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease.”  She demonstrates to members of the medical profession and support staff through her laugh-filled programs, “If The Patients Aren’t Laughing…They Might Be Dead”; Or when addressing the rising cost of health care, “Laughter Is the Best Medicine—Is It Covered By Your HMO?”, laughter can provide a welcome distraction for patients, especially those battling possible terminal illnesses and give some much needed comic relief to members of their family support system or out-patient caregivers. 

René strongly asserts the enlistment of humor, as part of the patient care regimen, helps to build a closer bond with the patient.  From her personal perspective she knows laughter has a calming and reassuring effect on patients and their loved ones by reducing emotional strain, which could hamper the healing process.  She illustrates the effectiveness of using humor as a communicative tool to lessen the impact on patients receiving unexpected news. 

Humor communication can also be a tool to educate the general public about health issues.  "If you're trying to get your meaning

across by making people laugh at the subject you're addressing, and they are indeed laughing--you know they are paying attention to what is being said."  She contends this leads to the visceral comprehension of the information that ultimately inspires subsequent positive health related changes.  René feels compelled to promote the benefits of using laughter as a healing tool, in hopes people will make humor part of an overall wholistic approach to healthcare and maintenance.  She especially emphasizes that as a preventative measure in maintaining good health, engaging in laughter has documented positive health benefits, most notably as a reducer of stress--a leading cause of many chronic and debilitating diseases, such as stroke, heart disease, high blood pressure and obesity.