Well, sir, my name is Patch Adams. I’m a clown who became a doctor because I wanted a love job for me. My life changed forever at a public park, at a public drinking fountain that said: “Whites Only.” I realized that my country was fake, that religion was fake, and that someone would walk by that sign and not tear it down. My dream is to operate a 40-bed rural hospital in West Virginia where the surgeon to the cleaning staff makes the same salary: $400 a month. We will have a permaculture farm and an artist colony. We will be a free hospital because I want to eliminate the idea of debt in the medical interaction.
Visit https://www.patchadams.org/ to learn more about 
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My father died of war when I was 16, so my mother moved my brother and I from a military base in Germany to the state of Virginia. My mother made me who I am today.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
Well, I’m a clown who became a doctor. In medical school, I saw that the practice of health care at the time was greedy and vulgar, so I vowed to create my own. So, 20 adults and their children moved into a 6-bedroom house and said we were a hospital. After 12 years of practice, we had to close our doors to raise funds for our dream hospital. After a year of raising money, I began going in clowning missions since I ached to care for others. I love receiving letters from all over the world from people letting me know how our mission has touched them.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
I don’t eat out much, but sometimes I get take out from Rainbow Gardens in Urbana, and Golden Harbor in Champaign.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I moved here 10 years ago to be closer to my sweet heart
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Susan Parenti, the love of my life.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I miss travelling. Before COVID, I would go on 6-7 clowning missions a year. But, since the pandemic, I’ve been writing letters and making these Facebook videos. I also miss seeing my sons on the West Coast.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Two of my favorite movies are “Zorba the Greek” (1964) and “Mary Poppins” (1962). I don’t own a TV.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
I make me. You can make you too. It’s like… when you are at a crosswalk at a busy interaction. You don’t just step out in the middle of the street. You choose not to do that. Likewise, you can choose to be happy, funny, loving, cooperative, creative, and thoughtful
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I want to build my hospital, and I want World Peace
Q: What is your go to band when you cant decide what to listen to?
My favorite rock song is “Johnny B. Goode” by Chuck Berry. My favorite concerto is Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto 3
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Dallas & Co.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
If she were still alive, I would most certainly invite the poetess, Mary Oliver, into our home for a great meal. I’m primarily a fundraiser, so I would meet with anyone who would support our work
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
Compared to Arlington, I love the small town feeling
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
In 5 or 10 years, I hope that our hospital is built and open to see new patients.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I love to read to others, and can recite 4 hours of poetry by heart.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
The earth – ours is a beautiful planet
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
Everyday is my favorite day. I wake up every morning, eager to start a new day
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
If world peace was achieved, I’d rate that 10 out of 10
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Susan Parenti, Martin Luther King Jr., and my mother.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
I’m an odor’ist, so I would say my favorite smell is a rancid fart.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Safety, Fun, Place to Gather
