Historical Figure
Patch Adams
b. 1945
American physician, activist (born 1945)
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Biography
Hunter Doherty "Patch" Adams is an American physician, comedian, social activist, clown, and author. He founded the Gesundheit! Institute as a not-for-profit in 1989. Each year he also organizes volunteers from around the world to travel to various countries where they dress as clowns to bring humor to orphans, patients, and other people.
Timeline
The story of Patch Adams, told in moments.
Born Hunter Doherty Adams in Washington, D.C. His father was a career Army officer. The family moved frequently. He attempted suicide as a teenager and was hospitalized.
Decided in the psychiatric ward that he wanted to become a doctor who treated the whole person, not just the disease. Enrolled at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Started a free medical practice in his home in Arlington, Virginia. He and friends saw patients for no charge, using humor and clowning as therapy.
Officially incorporated the Gesundheit! Institute. The plan: build a free hospital in West Virginia. Fundraising has continued for decades. The hospital still isn't finished.
Robin Williams starred as him in the film Patch Adams. Adams disliked the movie. He said it made him look like a romantic comedy lead instead of a social revolutionary.
In Their Own Words (5)
You know, it's always the same. I've clowned in 81 countries. People hunger for love, and clowning is a trick to get love close. As a clown I can do things that people are too frightened of Love to allow you to do.
As quoted in "Patch Adams and clowns spreading laughter at hospital" (2 March 2016), 2016
The medical professionals are a lot more comfortable calling it "depression" than calling it "loneliness."
"Conferenza con Patch Adams a Reggio Emilia" arcoiris tv (27 March 2008), 2008
I think my government are fascists. I feel that if we don't change from a society that worships money and power over to one that worships compassion and generosity, there is no hope for human survival this century.
As quoted in "Entrevista com o médico americano P. Adams" in Roda Viva - Entrevista (13 November 2007), 2007
I'll give you an example — in Russia most of the hospitals don't have any pain medicine, they don't have any money. So if you're with kids with cancer, they can have metastases to the bone; which some say is the worst pain a human can experience. So a mother can be in a room with a child who hasn't stopped screaming in five months. ...85% of the time I walk in there as a clown they'll stop screaming.
As quoted in "Entrevista com o médico americano P. Adams" in Roda Viva - Entrevista (13 November 2007), 2007
Take a close look at the part that "love" plays in your life. Make an inventory of love: people, things, ideas, experiences. Try to live your gratitude.
1998
Artifacts (12)
You Are What You Say: The Proven Program that Uses the Power of Language to Combat Stress, Anger, and Depression
"Why are you sick?" This question, posed in compassion by his grandmother Minnie after a childhood incident plunged him into illness, stayed with Dr. Matthew Budd throughout his lifetime in medicine....
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