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Patch Adams, MD
Patch Adams, MD

    Dr. Hunter Campbell "Patch" Adams founded the Gesundheit! Institute in 1972. Dr. Adams is a social activist, citizen diplomat, professional clown, performer, and author. Each year, he organizes a group of volunteers from around the world to travel to Russia as clowns, to bring hope and joy to orphans, patients, and the people. In 1998, he also visited Bosnia, one of the Balkan Peninsula countries torn apart by the war that started after the break-up of Yugoslavia.

    Dr. Adams' life was the template for the plot of the movie Patch Adams, starring Robin Williams. Dr. Adams is currently based in Arlington, Virginia, where he promotes alternative healthcare in collaboration with the Institute. A revamped Gesundheit! Institute, envisioned as a free, full-scale hospital and health care eco-community, is planned on 316 acres in Pocahontas County in West Virginia. Its goal is to integrate a traditional hospital with alternative medicine--acupuncture, homeopathy, etc. Care will combine integrative medicine with performing arts, crafts, nature, agriculture, and recreation. The West Virginia location accepts seasonal volunteers through the website. The new hospital has not been built as of yet, as Dr. Adams continues to seek funding. The current caretaker staff at the West Virginia land is actively developing educational programs in sustainable systems design targeted to medical students, university alternative break groups, and the general public.

    Several videos and books including Dr. Adams have also been produced. Since the 1990s Dr. Adams has supported the Ithaca Health Alliance (IHA), originally founded as the Ithaca Health Fund (IHF) by Paul Glover. In January 2006, IHA launched the Ithaca Free Clinic in Ithaca, New York, bringing to life key aspects of Dr. Adams' vision.

    Schedule29 Mar 2024