Biography

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:

  • A free hospital that eliminates 90% of the cost of healthcare
  • A hospital that isn’t filled with anxiety about how to treat patients
  • A hospital that allows doctors to connect with their patients at an intimate level
  • A hospital that treats care-givers and care-receivers as friends
  • A hospital that welcomes complementary practices, rather than shuns them

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.

Read More

Videos

Request Availability

Speech TopicsExpand each topic to learn more

Living a Life of Joy

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.

The Joy of Caring

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.

What is your Love Strategy?

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.

Medicine for Fun, not Funds

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.

Testimonials

Wow. The most incredibly interesting, touching and inspiring afternoon! I'll carry back Patch's message to my workplace & use his tools in my everyday life.
– Bernie Siegel, MD, Renown Author

Booksby Hunter “Patch” Adams, MD

House Calls

Gesundheit!

Blog Posts

Cultivating a Confidence Mindset and Go From Chaos to Triumph

Transform chaos into strategic success with a confident mindset—insights from mindset keynote speaker Andrew Busch.

Read More

The Power of Love: How Connection and Communication Drive Success

Love is more than romance—it’s about communication, growth, and connection. Discover how they drive success in your relationships and in life.

Read More

Motivational Speakers for Youth Empowerment: Inspiring the Next Generation

Fueling the Fire of Youth Empowerment Looking for the best motivational speakers for youth empowerment? We've got some great keynote speakers for you. In a world where young people face unprecedented challenges—social media pressures, economic...

Read More

Top Financial Speakers: Navigating Finance with Wisdom and Heart

Redefining Wealth Beyond Numbers: The Role of Top Financial Speakers In a world where the tumultuous tides of economic change challenge our every anchor, understanding finance transcends mere balance sheets and stock portfolios. It becomes a dance—a rhythm...

Read More

Creating a Loyal & Unified Team That Thrives Together

Build a loyal team that works together with insights from leadership expert Dennis Snow on customer experience.

Read More

The Power of Vulnerability: How True Leaders Build Trust and Growth

How embracing vulnerability leads to personal and professional growth, as leadership expert Rashmi Airan shares insights on building trust and resilience.

Read More

Related Speakers

Reviews & Ratings

Here's how toHit the mark with the perfect speaker!

1. Schedule a call

We’ll connect so we understand your needs to curate a selection of great speakers.

2. Book your speaker

We’ll manage all the details so you will be confident with your choice.

3. Wow your audience

Inform & educate your participants to ideas that transform their work & personal life.

Schedule a Call

Blog Posts

 

Cultivating a Confidence Mindset and Go From Chaos to Triumph

In today’s volatile environment, how can leaders transform chaos into a strategic advantage? The answer...

Read More

The Power of Love: How Connection and Communication Drive Success

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about love, chocolates and flowers—it’s about the relationships that define our...

Read More

Motivational Speakers for Youth Empowerment: Inspiring the Next Generation

Fueling the Fire of Youth Empowerment Looking for the best motivational speakers for youth empowerment?...

Read More

Top Financial Speakers: Navigating Finance with Wisdom and Heart

Redefining Wealth Beyond Numbers: The Role of Top Financial Speakers In a world where the...

Read More

Creating a Loyal & Unified Team That Thrives Together

What if your team’s service could be as magical as Disney’s, where employees feel valued...

Read More

The Power of Vulnerability: How True Leaders Build Trust and Growth

Struggling to create an open, transparent atmosphere within your teams? Trust might not be the...

Read More