
Patch Adams
Physician, Founder and Director of Gesundheit Institute; Inspiration for Patch Adams
Patch Adams, M.D, is a physician who is the founder and director of Gesundheit Institute, a free health facility in operation for the past 22 years. It is the only health facility in the U.S. addressing four major issues in health care delivery by action. Those issues include the rising cost of care, dehumanization of…
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Full Bio
Patch Adams, M.D, is a physician who is the founder and director of Gesundheit Institute, a free health facility in operation for the past 22 years. It is the only health facility in the U.S. addressing four major issues in health care delivery by action.
Those issues include the rising cost of care, dehumanization of medicine, malpractice suits and the abuses of the third party system. His distinctiveness and universal appeal led to the development of a movie starring Robin Williams in the title role, exemplifying Dr. Adams’ unusual methods of a typically uniform career.
As a speaker, Dr. Adams travels around the world lecturing on his work and doing theater shows about various aspects of health, particularly dealing with self-care and preservation. He is enthusiastic, perceptive, and a humorous person.
Some examples of presentations that have gained Dr. Adams notoriety are as follows. “The Gesundheit Institute: Medicine for Fun, not for Funds”, is a discussion and Q and A session regarding a medical experiment involving his 22 year direction of a medical facility that has charged no money, carried no malpractice, accepted no 3rd party insurance and has patients living in a large group home. “The Joy of Caring”, is an inspirational talk about the thrill of helping others. Adams’ “Humor and Health” takes a lighter look at the way the two are connected, and he lends his personal anecdotes from his 30+ years as a street clown. “How to be Nutty” is an extremely fun “playshop” teaching practical steps on how to be silly, alleviating stress and encouraging participation by getting costumed up and parading around in public. Dr. Adams gets into character in his “Magic Elixirs of Life” presentation, as he becomes a 19th century snake-oil salesman and promotes his special tonics for living; there are 18 in all including, nutrition, exercise, wonder, curiosity, and love. In the “Holding your Dreams in Community” workshop, the emphasis is on making a communally driven atmosphere a success, and he enjoys working with Gareth Branwyn on this subject matter due to their 16 year association in community philosophy. “Happiness/Joy” explores the possibility of a truly joyous life each and every day; and “Wellness” is primarily dialogue and an overview of the breadth of potential in being well. “Poetry and Medicine” looks at the value of words to communicate and aid understanding; request Dang Fools and bring mayhem and mischief to any event as Adams and friends masquerade in their clown suits and wreak havoc wherever they appear; which is particularly effective in hospital settings. Dr. Adams discusses “Self Esteem” with the intent to open the door for each person to feel, in a palpable way, their own greatness; “Laughter Meditation” and “Fun Death” both pair up Adams with friends to create a hilarious program of anything can happen next.
Dr. Adams has been successful at relaying formal and informal exchanges on many aspects of health care, laughter, citizen diplomacy, communal living, medical consequences of nuclear war and the many connections between art and medicine. Evaluations from previous performances and workshops are available for review. His alternative methods of wellness have made his contributions to the medical community unique and his talents cannot be matched.
Testimonials
Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!

LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!

MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!

BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!

SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!

SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!

CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!

PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!

CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.

GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.

FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!

FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Topics
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 patients life but also in the caregivers life.
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 its 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 ones desires followed by a 40-minute discussion. (Dr. Parenti required)
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).
How to Be Nutty
The Joy of Caring
The Gesundheit Institute: Medicine for Fun, Not for Funds
Videos
Patch Adams, M.D. - Transform 2010 - Mayo Clinic
Patch Adams
Books
News
Testimonials
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