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Patch Adams, M.D., is a nationally known, popular speaker on wellness, laughter, humor and life as well as on the subjects of health care and health care systems. He approaches the issues of personal, community, and global health with "zestful exuberance" (Time Magazine). Patch Adams believes that "the most revolutionary act one can commit in our world is to be happy."

Patch Adams is founder and director of the Gesundheit Institute, a free health facility in operation for fifteen years. Over 15,000 people have been provided with free medical care at the Institute. Through the success of this program at the Arlington, Virginia location, a model health care facility Is being planned on 310 acres purchased in Pocahontas County, WV. The Institute will include a 40-bed hospital, a theater, arts and crafts shops, horticulture and vocational therapy. Over five years ago, Dr. Adams and staff temporarily stopped seeing patients so that they could coordinate plans for raising $5 million needed for the Institute's permanent and expanded home, a "model health care community." Currently planned is an immediate phase of this dream, a $400,000 WV facility so that their medical service to patients can resume within the next two years.

The Institute addresses by action four major issues in health care delivery rising cost of care, dehumanization of medicine, malpractice suits, and abuses of third- party insurance system.

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. Since 1985 Patch Adams has lead an annual two-week clown tour of Russia visiting hospitals and orphanages. He has also taken clowns to Bosnia. Says Dr. Adams, "I interpret my experience in life as being happy. I want, as a doctor, to say it does matter to your health to be happy. It may be the most important health factor in your life." He joyfully believes that "the most revolutionary act one can commit In our world is to be happy."

The motion picture Patch Adams starring Robin Williams was released in 1998 by Universal Studios. Patch Adams was also the subject of a PBS Documentary titled A Different Drummer.

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