Patch Adams is a doctor, clown and social activist. As founder and director of the Gesundheit! Institute, a holistic medical community, he has provided free medical care to thousands of patients from around the world since 1971. Adams, a fervent believer that joy and laughter are essential in the healing process, uses his experience as a street clown to nurse patients to better health.

Hollywood made Adams a household name when Robin Williams played the unconventional doctor on the big screen in 1989. The real-life doctor has written two books, “Gesundheit,” which chronicles his ideas about the U.S. health care system, and “House Calls,” designed to help readers contribute to the healing process when visiting family and friends in the hospital. Time magazine says Adams approaches the issues of personal, community and global health with zestful exuberance.

Adams has devoted his life to the study of what makes people happy and believes happiness is the most revolutionary act anyone can commit.

Web site: www.patchadams.org