Patch Adams

Patch Adams, whose extraordinary life became the subject of a film starring Robin Williams, graduated as a medical doctor in 1971, convinced of the powerful connection between environment and wellness.
Patch Adams holds the belief that the health of an individual cannot be separated from the health of the family, community and the world. In consequence, Patch and some friends founded the Gesundheit Institute, which ran as a free community hospital for 12 years.
The new-look Gesundheit Institute is a free, full-scale hospital and health care, eco-community which is now being built in West Virginia. It will have the healing arts working together - traditional medicine and surgery with acupuncture, homeopathy, etc. Wellness will be achieved by integrating medicine with performing arts, crafts, nature, agriculture, recreation, friendship and fun. Gesundheit will be a model "happy" hospital. It will stimulate caregivers and hospitals around the world to develop improved approaches to health care.
Patch Adams is more than a doctor. He is a social activist, citizen diplomat, professional clown, performer and author. For example, each year he organises 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.