Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
offerings. For example, medical students come each year to learn about medicinal herbs,
health-care clowning, and other topics pertinent to Patch's vision of integrating medicine with
fun, art, and friendship.
Patch's big, crazy dream began in 1971 when he and a couple of other doctors opened
a free hospital in Arlington, Virginia. It was a six-bedroom house where Patch and 20 adults
(including two other docs) lived and practiced medicine. Their “zany hospital” was open 24/
7, for all manner of medical problems. They saw 500 to 1,000 people each month, including
many who took up residence. Patch called the pilot project “ecstatic, fascinating, and stimu-
lating.” After nine years of no donations and being refused for some 1,400 foundation grants,
the project was finally disbanded. Dr. Adams, of course, persevered, making, as he describes
it, a deal with “the devil”—to cooperate with the movie and get some publicity for his pro-
ject.
Volunteers are needed at Gesundheit from April through October with a minimum com-
mitment of one month. In exchange for 35 hours per week, Gesundheit provides room and
board. Some of the positions include gardeners, cooks, builders, and housekeepers. If you
can't spare a month, consider the Visitor Weekend Program, which could involve such ser-
vice work as ecological restoration, construction, and grounds maintenance. Either option
is—you guessed it—completely free.
HOW TO GET IN TOUCH
Gesundheit!
Institoot,
P.O.
Box
268,
Hillsboro,
WV
24946,
304-653-4338,
www.
patchadams.org.
