Patch Adams, the real person behind the hit movie "Patch Adams," starring Robin Williams, is a medical doctor, a clown and also a social activist who has devoted 30 years to changing America's healthcare system, a system which he describes as expensive and elitist. He believes that laughter, joy and creativity are an integral part of the healing process and therefore true health care must incorporate such life. Doctors and patients in his model relate to each other on the basis of mutual trust, and patients receive plenty of time from their doctors. Allopathic doctors and practitioners of alternative medicine will work side by side. If you think that all sounds like a utopian impossibility, it isn't. Patch and his colleagues practiced medicine at the Gesundheit Institute together in West Virginia that way for 12 years in what he calls their "pilot project." They have seen 15,000 patients. Patch Adams has devoted his life to the study of what makes people happy. The Institute addresses, by action, four major issues in health care delivery: the rising cost of care, dehumanization of medicine, malpractice suits, and abuses of third-party insurance system. Dr. Adams adds to his training as a physician, his experience as a street clown. In working with health and mental health professionals, he explores the relationship between humor and therapy using his unique blend of knowledge, showmanship and "hands on" teaching techniques. Says Dr. Adams, "I interpret my experience in life as being happy. I want, as a doctor, to say it does matter to your health to be happy. It may be the most important health factor in your life." Patch Adams, M.D., is a nationally known speaker on wellness, laughter, and humor as well as on health care and health care systems. He approaches the issues of personal, community, and global health with "zestful exuberance," according to Time Magazine. Dr. Adams believes that "the most revolutionary act one can commit in our world is to be happy." Titles Medicine for Fun, Not Funds Living A Life of Joy Humor and Health The Joy of Caring Living In Community What Is Your Love Strategy? Magic Elixirs of Life Poetry and Music Passion and Persistence Desire and Design Topics Celebrity, Medical, Humor Click topic above to see more speakers on that topic Speaker's Asking Fee Range $15,000 or more Click on fee range to see more speakers. This is the starting keynote fee range - other programs may be higher. State VA Click on state above to see more speakers from that state. Fees The fee range quoted means the speaker's fee starts somewhere within that range. Note that speaker's fees are subject to change and some speakers may have special fee quotes.