After graduating from the Medical College of Virginia in 1971, Hunter “Patch” Adams began what would become his life-long mission: The Gesundheit Institute. The pilot project, which ran from 1971 through 1983, saw over 15,000 patients visiting his large 6-bedroom communal home, shared with friends, fellow doctors, and patients. To support this radical hospital, friends took outside work to support the love that comes from helping others. As the pilot drawn to a close, Patch realized he needed to make his dream hospital a reality.
No one was going to “give” him a hospital – Patch had to go out into the world and find the hospital of his dreams. After 36 years, Patch remains energized and ready to take on the medical cure-focused for-profit industry.
Imagine:
Patch lectures and performs over 200 days of the year. He has travelled throughout the world delivering his message of peace and love while challenging the audience to love and care about themselves, their community, and our planet. Every year, Patch leads nine different missions to lead clowns into impoverished communities, war zones, refugee camps, and disaster areas. Patch’s dedication toward clowning has sparked a movement that has grown to independent clown groups in 120 countries.
Exploring the audacious idea of never having another bad day! Patch discusses how to discover the incredible thrill of choosing to live everyday with joy. The focus of this lecture is life as a choice.
A lecture on the thrill of helping others. This inspirational talk includes a dialogue to explore burnout prevention for caregivers. The focus of this lecture is the magic and the power of care, not only in the patient’s life, but also in the caregiver’s life.
A 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.
A lecture on the history, philosophy, and the future of the Gesundheit Institute that includes a deep dialogue with the audience and participants. Patch introduces Gesundheit as an example of medicine for fun, not funds, and helps the audience design, explore, and implement their own dreams.
Keynote speaker Torsten Gross shares how transformed tragedy into triumph, proving your worst day of your life might become your greatest strength.
Read MoreGet insights on how purpose transforms adversity into achievement with ultra-endurance athlete Tez Steinberg's powerful lessons from rowing solo across oceans.
Read MoreThe right AI speakers don't just wow audiences—they change what your team does on Monday. Book impact-driven keynotes for 2026.
Read MoreLearn ways to best engage audience in your events with personalized experiences that create unforgettable lasting impressions.
Read MoreSleep performance enhancement strategies from Olympic champion Apolo Ohno reveal why quality rest trumps training for peak results.
Read MoreFormer Harley-Davidson CMO Shelley Paxton reveals how finding your soul's purpose transforms leadership success and creates thriving workplace cultures.
Read More