Adams birth
Adams was born in Washington, D.C., the son of Anna Campbell Stewart (née Hunter) and Robert Loughridge Adams.
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History of Patch Adams
Monday May 28, 1945 to Present
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Hunter Doherty "Patch" Adams is an American physician, comedian, social activist, clown, and author. He founded the Gesundheit! Institute in 1971. Each year he also organizes volunteers from around the world to travel to various countries where they dress as clowns to bring humor to orphans, patients, and other people.
Adams graduated from High School in 1963
Adams graduated in 1963 from Wakefield High School.
Adams earned his Doctor of Medicine in 1971
Adams began medical school without an undergraduate degree, and earned his Doctor of Medicine degree at Virginia Commonwealth University (Medical College of Virginia) in 1971.
Patch and friends founded the Zanies
Patch, Linda, and friends founded the Gesundheit! Institute (originally known to many as the Zanies), which ran as a free community hospital from 1971 to 1984.
Adams married Edquist
Adams and Edquist married in 1975 and had two sons, Atomic Zagnut "Zag" Adams and Lars Zig Edquist Adams
Adams was interested in supporting the Ithaca Health Alliance
Since the 1990s Adams has supported the Ithaca Health Alliance (IHA), founded as the Ithaca Health Fund (IHF) by Paul Glover.
Adams won the Peace Abbey Courage
Adams was awarded the Peace Abbey Courage of Conscience Award on January 29, 1997.
IHA launched the Ithaca Free Clinic
In January 2006 IHA (Ithaca Health Alliance) launched the Ithaca Free Clinic, bringing to life key aspects of Adams's vision. Adams has also given strong praise to Health Democracy, Glover's book written and published the same year.
Adams made a campaign to raise 1 million dollars
In October 2007, Adams and the Gesundheit! Board unveiled its campaign to raise $1 million towards building a Teaching Center and Clinic on its land in West Virginia. The Center and Clinic will enable Gesundheit! to see patients and teach health care design.
Adams became honorary chair of the "IAACM"
In 2008, Adams agreed to become honorary chair of the "International Association for the Advancement of Creative Maladjustment" or IAACM. MindFreedom International, a nonprofit coalition that Gesundheit! belongs to as a sponsor group, launched the IAACM to support "creative maladjustment" and social change.
Adams's foot was amputated
In March 2021, Adams announced that his left foot had been amputated in a below-the-knee amputation due to persistent problems from a MRSA infection.