Patch Adams, M.D.

Patch Adams' Key Accomplishments Include . . .
Patch Adams, M.D., is both a medical doctor and a clown…but he is also a social activist who has devoted 30 years to changing America's healthcare system; a system which he describes as expensive and elitist. Dr. Adams is the real person behind the eponymous hit movie Patch Adams, starring Robin Williams, and has devoted his life to the study of what makes people both healthy and happy.

Patch Adams believes that laughter, joy and creativity are an integral part of the healing process and therefore true health care must incorporate these elements. Doctors and patients in Patch Adams' model relate to each other on the basis of mutual trust, and patients receive plenty of time from their doctors. Allopathic doctors and practitioners of alternative medicine work side by side. Dr. Adams and his colleagues have practiced medicine this way at the Gesundheit Institute in West Virgina for over a decade and have treated over 15,000 patients.

Patch Adams adds to his training as a physician, his experience as a street clown. In working with health and mental health professionals, he explores the relationship between humor and therapy using his unique blend of knowledge, showmanship and hands-on teaching techniques. Dr. Adams believes that happiness may be the most important health factor in your life.
Patch Adams, M.D., is a nationally known speaker on wellness, laughter, and humor as well as on health care and health care systems. He approaches the issues of personal, community, and global health with "zestful exuberance" (Time Magazine). Dr. Adams believes that the most revolutionary act one can commit in our world is to be happy.

More on Patch Adams . . .
Through the success of his program at the Arlington location, Patch Adams is constructing a model health care facility in West Virginia. The Institute will include a hospital, a theater, arts and crafts shops, horticulture and vocational therapy. The Institute addresses, by action, four major issues in health care delivery: the rising cost of care, dehumanization of medicine, malpractice suits, and abuses of third-party insurance systems.

• Living A Life of Joy
  

  (1-4 hours) Lecture or thee-four hour workshop using an hour of exercises, an hour of ideas on being happy and the remainder to explore the audacious idea of living happy. Patch discusses how to discover the incredible thrill of choosing to live everyday with joy. The focus of this lecture/workshop is life as a choice.

• The Joy of Caring
  

  (1-3 hours) Lecture on the thrill of helping others. An inspirational talk with much dialogue to explore burnout prevention for caregivers. The focus of this lecture/workshop is the magic and power of care, not only in the patient's life but also in the caregiver's life.

• Humor and Health
  

  (1-3 hours) Look at the relationship between humor and the health of the individual, community or society. Funny and inspirational. Patch discusses his 30+ years of clowning experience. When Patch and Susan are hired as a team, they teach the audience performance and perform a sweet stage clown show (15 minutes at the end).

• What Is Your Love Strategy?
  

  (1-3 hours) Lecture on the importance of having a strategy for loving yourself, the planet and others. Patch provides insights into the need for such a strategy and also takes a close look at the conception of love and the theory of strategy. Patch offers his approach and helps the audience design, explore and implement their own love strategy.

• Living In Community
  

  (1 hour) Lecture that introduces a healthy community life. Patch explores what constitutes a healthy community, how one is created, maintained and what the responsibilities are of it's members.

• Medicine For Fun, Not Funds
  

  (1-3 hours) Lecture on the history, philosophy, and future of the Gesundheit Institute. It includes a deep dialogue with audience/participants. Patch introduces Gesundheit as an example of medicine for fun, not funds and helps the audience design, explore and implement their own dreams.

• Magic Elixirs of Life
  

  (1 hour and 30 minutes) Vaudeville wellness show followed by a 30-minute discussion period. Susan and Patch clown, tap dance, play piano and accordion, and inspire the audience to participate. This provocative, informative and funny show focuses on what the audience can do to feel healthier. (Dr. Parenti required)

• Poetry and Music
  

  (1 hour and 15 minutes) Performance with Susan on the piano with Chopin and her own compositions. Patch performs seven cycles of poetry. The idea is to harken back to the days when live entertainment was at the heart of home and community. (Dr. Parenti required)

• Passion and Persistence
  

  (80 minutes) Show in nine acts on having passions and the persistence to carry them out followed by a 40-minute discussion. Both Patch and Susan have organized and sustained their separate communities for over 20 years. It is still a delight for them and they want to inspire others and share some of what they've learned. (Dr. Parenti required)

• Desire and Design
  

  (2 hours) Performance on how to create designs to accomplish one's desires followed by a 40-minute discussion. (Dr. Parenti required)

Behind his clown-like persona lies a great deal of wisdom, and it often falls to the court jester to speak the truth that those in power need to hear.

---Bernie Siegel, M.D.

His message was timely. He spoke with passion. He was intelligent and challenged our students to think about themselves and their beliefs. He was intense in personal moments and let our students know that thinking is a full time obligation.

--- Jeff Venekamp, Augustana College

Patch set new standards for the event as a speaker. He was mind blowing and raised the event to new heights. His presentation was entirely relevant to the audience.