![\"Kristin](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/7BFMGKRSN5CHRHXOOEK2HWOPPQ.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Kristin (left) and Will Flanary, pictured here in an undated provided photo. The Oregon couple are known as Lady and Dr. Glaucomflecken on social media, where they make comedy sketches about the U.S. healthcare system.<\/p>\n
Courtesy The Glaucomfleckens<\/p>\n
The U.S. healthcare system is notoriously complex. A simple doctor\u2019s visit can trigger mysterious bills and endless calls to insurance companies.<\/p>\n
An Oregon couple<\/a> is giving voice to those frustrations through comedy sketches on social media. <\/p>\n Dr.<\/a> and Lady Glaucomflecken<\/a> \u2014 otherwise known as Will and Kristin Flanary \u2014 began making TikTok videos during the COVID-19 pandemic. Will is an ophthalmologist who dabbled in stand-up comedy as a high schooler. <\/p>\n \u201cI went to med school and realized that I still needed it in my life,\u201d he said. \u201cIt was an outlet for me \u2026 and there\u2019s just way too many things to make fun of in medicine.\u201d <\/p>\n As Will\u2019s videos grew more popular, Kristin began to manage the business side of the Glaucomfleckens. She also supported Will through two separate cancer diagnoses and a sudden cardiac arrest he suffered in his sleep. <\/p>\n Through both of those experiences, humor served as a coping mechanism \u2014 but also a way to call out the obstacles they encountered while navigating the healthcare system.<\/p>\n \u201cHumor is a really effective Trojan horse for educating people. It\u2019s a really useful tool for advocacy and making change,\u201d Kristin said. <\/p>\n The couple has since used their platform to advocate for both patients and their providers.<\/p>\n By tackling topics such as insurance requirements and private equity in healthcare, Will hopes they can better equip viewers for their own struggles with the healthcare system.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s so many things underneath the surface that our patients aren\u2019t even aware of,\u201d Will said. \u201cIn order to create change in the healthcare system, you gotta know what the problems are.\u201d<\/p>\n In addition to making sketches, the couple also creates educational resources<\/a> to teach medical professionals how to ethically use social media.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s so much misinformation out there when it comes to health and wellness. We do need people that are trustworthy and are using evidence-based information to be sharing what they know with the public,\u201d Kristin said.<\/p>\n Even for providers who aren\u2019t comfortable with social media, the Glaucomfleckens hope they can teach them how to share that information within their own social networks. <\/p>\n \u201cPeople trust other people that they know,\u201d Kristin said. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t have to be everybody putting their face out on the internet. It can just be how to effectively communicate to the people in your life.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt does help to wear costumes, though. I will say that,\u201d Will added.<\/p>\n Will and Kristin Flanary spoke with<\/a> \u201cThink Out Loud\u201d host Dave Miller. Listen to the full conversation:<\/p>\n Listen to audio from OPB journalists<\/p>\n