Patch Adams

About Patch Adams

Dr. Hunter Campbell "Patch" Adams, M.D. (born May 28, 1945 in Washington, District of Columbia) is an American medical doctor, social activist, citizen diplomat, professional clown, performer, and author. He founded the Gesundheit! Institute in 1972. Each year he organizes a group of volunteers from around the world to travel to various countries where they dress 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.

His life was the template for the plot of the film Patch Adams, starring Robin Williams. Adams is currently based in Arlington, Virginia, where he promotes a different health care model (i.e. one not funded by insurance policies) in collaboration with the institute.

After attending Wakefield High School in 1963, Patch Adams completed pre-med coursework at the George Washington University. He began medical school without an undergraduate degree, and earned his Doctor of Medicine degree at the Medical College of Virginia, Health Sciences Division of Virginia Commonwealth University in 1973. In the late 60s, one of his closest friends (not his girlfriend as seen in the movie) was murdered. Convinced of the powerful connection between environment and wellness, he believes the health of an individual cannot be separated from the health of the family, community, and the world. While working in an adolescent clinic at MCV, in his final year of med school, he met Linda Edquist, a volunteer in the clinic and student at VCU. Soon after graduation, Patch, Linda, and friends founded the Gesundheit! Institute (originally known to many as the Zanies), which ran as a free community hospital for 12 years. He and Linda later would have two children and separated in 1997. The elder, Atomic Zagnut Adams, was given a name indicative of Patch and his close friend Leo's personal laugh with life. His younger son's name is Lars Zig Edquist Adams.