Our Mission

The Gesundheit! Institute is a project in holistic medical care based on the belief that one cannot separate the health of the individual from the health of the family, the community, the world, and the health care system itself.

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About Patch Adams

Patch Adams is best known for his work as a medical doctor and a clown, and he is also a social activist who has devoted 30 years to changing America's health care system. He believes that laughter, joy and creativity are an integral part of the healing process.

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About Gesundheit!

clowns

The institute began as a group of twenty friends, including three doctors, who moved into a six-bedroom home and called it a free hospital. The hospital was open 24 hours a day and 7 days a week for all manner of medical problems from birth to death.

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Gesundheit! News

PATCH ADAMS CLINIC IN PHILADELPHIA Located in a low-income Philadelphia neighborhood, this clinic will provide community-based health care that is genuinely non-profit, preventive, humane and fun. It is a refuge for doctors and nurses who want time to heal patients. It is a refuge for patients who want to be treated with dignity.Read more

PATCH AND VICENTE FOX Patch spent a Saturday in Mexico with Former President of Mexico Vicente Fox. He spoke for Centro Fox, the former president’s nonprofit organization and was an absolute hit! Read more

Reflections on the HEALTH CARE SYSTEM DESIGN INTENSIVE • May, 2010 The seventh Thinking Outside the Box Intensive took place in Olympia, Washington. Read a report on the event

Opportunities

CLOWNING & PERFORMING in COSTA RICA • September 6–10, 2010 Five-day workshop with Patch Adams, organizers of the School for Designing a Society, and local practitioners, in performance & clowning in hospitals, orphanages, and the street. Read more and register ...

26th ANNUAL RUSSIA CLOWN TOUR with Patch Adams • Nov 6–20, 2010 Clowning in Moscow and St. Petersburg with old and new friends of Patch and Gesundheit ... and you? Read more and register

CLOWN TRIP TO KENYA • February 18-25, 2011 Over the Rainbow and Gesundheit! Institute are organizing a clown trip to Kenya next February 2011 to visit a community that welcomes orphans and children with HIV. Come with us and spread the LOVE !!!Read more and register

Sister Projects

CAMP WINNARAINBOW • Mendocino County, California Wavy Gravy's circus and performing arts camp in California, where Patch Adams teaches "clown philosophy" every summer. Watch Taylor Reed Branson's promo video

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Ways You Can Help

The Patch Adams Teaching Center & Clinic
Get involved with the campaign!

Global Outreach Programs
Join us for a clown trip! In the next few months, we are offering trips to Costa Rica and Russia

Education Projects
Volunteer for an educational program or donate a scholarship.

Campaign Status

We're Building!

This summer we're starting the construction of our 25,000 square foot, 3-story Teaching Center. WE'RE EXCITED!

Our target is to complete excavation, foundation, water, sewage,electricity, walls, floors, and roof before the end of the year.

About the Campaign

Thank you: in the past three years (2007-2010) your contributions enabled us to get to this point.

Donations have supported the completion of drawings, the diversion of the stream, construction of a new bridge—the necessary preliminary work to now BREAK GROUND!

In October of 2007, Patch Adams and the Gesundheit Board unveiled its campaign to build a Teaching Center and Clinic on its land in West Virginia. The Center and Clinic will enable Gesundheit to see patients again and teach health care system design: the necessary work to change our health care system. Please continue to support us. When you give to Gesundheit, expect change back! Donate now.

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