I met Patch on a trip to Cuba in 1999 to deliver medical aid to Cuba and to learn about the Cuban healthcare system. For the most part, Patch is a pretty amazing character. He is both charismatic and very humble at the same time. He is, in fact, a clown, or ready to transform into a clown at any given time. He is also one of the more intelligent and real people I have been around.
No ckent, he really is not annoying and not constantly plying for attention. While he does seem to enjoy the notariety that the hollywood movie has brought to his mission of building a free hospital based on community, for the most part, he rejects the superficial fame that it has also brought with it. Patch is man that for years provided free healthcare to multitudes without anybody taking notice before hollywood decided his story would make a good theme for a movie.
Patch is also one of a small handful of people who have reminded, through all of the other crap, why I want to be a doctor.
For those of you who are interestd, Patch's book Gesundheit is a good place to start. You can also check him out at patchadams.org. There is a small film company who did a documentary about him, which is really well done, and his site has a link to it. If anyone also has a chance to see him speak or go to a workshop I would highly recommend it. Even if you don't agree with what he has to say, it is difficult not to respect his work. In Cuba, I was not only with Patch, but about 90+ other physicians, health care workers, and yes, clowns. The physicians with us ranged from one practicing CAM (acupuncture etc.) to one of the more senior administrators at Johns Hopkins and all idealologies in-between. Many of them definately did not agree with everything Patch said or did. But again, it is very difficult not to respect someone who has practiced for so long, and is still able to uphold his ideals, beliefs and values. In, short, check him out. Turn the hollywood movie off and pick his book up. And if you want anymore info, feel free to e-mail me.
