Last Updated: 16 Apr, 2023 | Views: 1428
Age: 79
Profession: Doctor
Other Profession(s): Author, Comedian, Physician, Social Activist
Famous For: Founder of Gesundheit! Institute
Higher Education: George Washington University (MD)
About (Profile/Biography):
"Patch" Adams is an American physician, clown, and social activist. He was born on May 28, 1945, in Washington, D.C.
Patch Adams Early Life and Education
Adams grew up in a military family, and his father, an officer in the United States Army, was frequently absent. Adams struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts from a young age. He attended George Washington University, where he studied pre-med and earned a degree in biology. After graduation, he enrolled in medical school at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he began to develop his ideas about the importance of humor and human connection in medicine.
Patch Adams - Gesundheit Institute
After completing his medical education, Adams founded the Gesundheit Institute in 1971. The Institute, based in West Virginia, is a non-profit organization that advocates for holistic health care and incorporates humor and play into medical treatment. The Institute also offers a free health clinic and hospital that operates on donations and volunteer work.
Patch Adams Work as a Clown and Activist
Adams is known for his work as a clown and his belief that humor can have a healing effect on patients. He has traveled the world as a performer and has brought clowning into hospitals, nursing homes, and other medical settings. In addition to his work as a clown, Adams has been an outspoken critic of the American health care system and has advocated for universal access to health care. He has also been an advocate for peace, environmentalism, and social justice.
Patch Adams Portrayal in Film
Adams' life and work were the basis for the 1998 film "Patch Adams," in which he was portrayed by Robin Williams. The film was a commercial success, but Adams criticized it for portraying him inaccurately and for focusing too much on his clowning.
Patch Adams Legacy
Adams' work has had a significant impact on the fields of medicine and social activism. He has challenged the traditional view of medicine as a purely scientific field and has argued for the importance of empathy, human connection, and humor in healing. His creation of the Gesundheit Institute has inspired others to pursue alternative approaches to health care, and his advocacy for social justice and environmentalism has made him a prominent figure in progressive movements.
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