Comic doctor discusses need for holistic, patient-focused healthcare

"I guarantee if there is a reporter in this room, there won't be any of this in the paper tomorrow," Hunter Patch Adams asserted at last night's lecture, having just delivered a slew of controversial political and social ideas.

Indeed, the event sponsored by the Student Health Advisory Board proved to cover more than just the title "Humor and Health" implied. Hundreds of students, faculty and community members packed into McCosh 50 to witness this unusually dynamic presentation, given by the renowned doctor, clown and social and political activist.

Adams began by explaining his approach to medicine, advocating that "friendship is the best medicine, and humor is the great keeper of friendship."

With a long gray ponytail half dyed blue, a wiry mustache and colorful, loose clothing, he showed the audience "five pants stations" – variations with his trousers he uses to entertain people in malls and at bus stops. He demonstrated how to make light of typical American "Prozac moments," when he said it is much more constructive to deflate a whoopee cushion than pop a pill.

Adams travels 300 days each year, connecting with people and making them laugh. He showed a video clip of him and a team of other clowns interacting with children at an orphanage in El Salvador.

While Adams is best known for applying humor to the health profession, much in part to the film "Patch Adams" with Robin Williams, his lecture revealed his activist bent with regard to current social, political and environmental issues.

Adams said the United States has misplaced priorities. What he called "ball bouncers" are making millions of dollars while educators are bringing in barely enough to pay bills and that medicine emphasizes the cure instead of care.

Moreover, he said, there are more pressing problems outside this country that do not receive the proper attention. For example, he said that on Sept. 11, nearly 4,000 people died from starvation, and little attention was given to them. "What is 9/11?" he asked. He said Sept. 11 is every day.

Adams challenged the audience to raise their hands if they had complete trust in the government. No one stirred.

He was cynical toward both the government and the president, "Georgie," whom he thinks was almost happy in response Sept. 11, because it gave him a chance to prove himself.

Adams criticized military force in Iraq and argued that Saddam Hussein's human rights abuses were minimal in comparison to America's. "What will it take?" he asked. "We don't even stand up. We trick ourselves into being silent." He compared this behavior to the mentality of Nazi Germany.

During the question-and-answer session following the lecture, one student said he did not have the time, energy or gift to accomplish what Adams has. Adams responded by saying his achievements had nothing to do with "being special," but with having the intention to do things, to want things and to make them happen.

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Adams has devoted 40 years to these causes and encouraged the audience to do the pursue their own causes because, in his view, "changing the world is the funniest thing in n town."