David M. Jacobson MSW LCSW

David Jacobson is a professional speaker, author and former Hospital Director. He is the former Chief of Social Work of the Phoenix VA where he assisted in improving their mental health system. He was also Director of Behavioral Health Case Management at University Medical Center and worked with the patients and families of trauma's including the tragic shooting event in Tucson that happened January 8th, 2011 which resulted in a personal thank you from President Obama for his work with the shooting survivors and their families. David has served on the Board of Directors of the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor (AATH) . In addition, he is a Board Certified Humor Professional. An honor bestowed through the Three-year Humor Academy of AATH. David has been featured internationally by various media outlets, including magazines, journals and television from London to Seoul, Korea. He is the award-winning author of “7 ½ Habits To Help You Become More Humorous, Happier & Healthier.” He is currently working on a new research project for improving depression measures with his Jacobson Joy Inventory and Positive Health Questionnaire which are currently being researched jointly at the University of Arizona and Banner University Medical Center.

David Jacobson suffered many losses early in his life including the death of his father at age 8 and a diagnosis with a severe form of arthritis at 22 in 1980. Since then, he has become a living example that you can accomplish anything if you truly believe in yourself. Through his years of struggling with chronic pain, he developed humor techniques that got him through the hard times. He now teaches these skills to audiences around the country in his keynotes and workshops which as entertaining as they are educational.

His many honors include a "President's Award" from Flashnet Marketing, Inc. , A Lifetime Achievement Award and a "National Hero Overcoming Arthritis" award by the Arthritis Foundation National Office for completing a 50 mile unicycle ride at a fund raising event and the Wayne Washburn Memorial Award which reads as follows "We all need someone or something to inspire us to bring out our best. You are that someone"

For the past fifteen years, Mr. Jacobson has worked as a hospital administrator in addition to his writing, speaking and consulting career. His newest book is Highly Humorous Leadership. Published February 1st, 2023

Websites: https://authordmjacobson.com/ and www.davidmjacobson.com

Awards & Designations

Recipient of an Arthritis Foundation 2004 Lifetime Achievement Award

Professional member of the National Speakers Association (NSA) since 1996.

President's Award: Flashnet Marketing

Joy Mask from the Korean Broadcasting System

National Hero Overcoming Arthritis: Arthritis Foundation 1998

Wayne Washburn Memorial Award Arthritis Foundation 1997

Founder of Humor Horizons in 1995.

Several editor's choice awards for poetry

Publications

* 7 1/2 Habits to Help you Become More Humorous, Happier & Healthier

* The Jacobson Joy Inventory: A New Look at Measuring Depression

* The 7 1/2 Habits of Highly Humorous People

* Extreme Excellence

* Conversations on Health and Wellness

Keynotes and Workshops

Health and Humor: Laughing to Ease the Pain

The Role of Humor in Leadership

The Role of Humor in Enhancing Diversity

Humor and Communication

Team Building: Build a humor foundation and you'll have a great home team.