“Our world is too troubled to think up puny solutions for gigantic problems. Do not settle for band-aids where radical surgery is needed.” – Hunter “Patch” Adams
Servant-leadership hits the big screen in the movie, “Patch Adams,” when a one-time mental patient gains admission to Virginia Medical University, where his unusual yet surprisingly effective healing techniques rub his instructors the wrong way. He founds an alternative medical complex called the Gesundheit Institute, dedicated to harnessing the healing power of humor.
The movie is directed by Tom Shadyac and stars Robin Williams, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Monica Potter. Although the movie has been described by some critics as being “dry,” the real Patch Adams can serve as an excellent example of a servant-leader. Instructors might considering showing this movie in conjunction with Unit 11 on Leading By Serving in the Phi Theta Kappa Leadership Development Studies text.
Hunter “Patch” Adams is a doctor who fought the system by treating patients with humor therapy and who eventually founded his own free clinic. He has been known to show up at the hospital dressed as a clown, among other characters, to entertain his patients.
On his personal web site, Adams promotes his caring approach to health care. “We have a breakdown of community, a loss of a sense of belonging,” says Adams. “As a family doctor, I see this in my practice as choking loneliness and insecurity. Everyone needs a health care system — why not use that as an impetus to bring people together as a community that creates a healing environment.”
He adds, “Our world is too troubled to think up puny solutions for gigantic problems. Do not settle for band-aids where radical surgery is needed. Help co-create with the medical profession and all the healing arts a context they love working in and you love being in. It is possible!”
Adams points out that it has become difficult to find the one-to-one intimacy so treasured in medicine. He recommends humanizing medicine by forming friendships with patients.
“To stimulate a path towards a joyous life for both staff and patients, we integrated medicine with the performing arts, arts and crafts, agriculture, nature, recreation and social service,” explains Adams. “To celebrate diversity and act as peacemakers in the healing arts, we accepted all complimentary healing arts as long as they charged nothing and could work interdependently.”
Adams challenges society to create a “healing context (home, hospital, clinic) that the staff would crave to work hard in; where the joy that comes with being of service in meaningful ways would be routine. This would be a setting where patients and family would be delighted to be in when sick or well.”
In Adam’s experimental clinic, patients were not charged for services, the clinic did not accept third party reimbursement, and the doctors did not carry malpractice insurance. The work was supported by part time jobs of the live-in staff. Adams states, “We found that the joy of practicing medicine, unencumbered by the trappings of the modern practice, is so great that it is even worth paying for ourselves!”
For the past 13 years, Adams has been gathering the resources to establish a rural community clinic on 130 acres in West Virginia. He encourages other doctors to go after their own dreams.
“Be vocal and demonstrative about how you would like your health practice to be so that others can co-create it,” states Adams. “If we can make our dream a reality, then you can boldly go after your own. You can lean on us for help. Please, see us as a stimulant. We are also here as an irritant. We must refuse to accept things the way they are because they are hurting everyone.”
Adams philosophies tie in well with Robert K. Greenleaf’s analysis of “The Servant as Leader.” Greenleaf points out that, “not much happens without a dream. Behind every great achievement is a dreamer of great dreams. Much more than a dreamer is required to bring it to reality; but the dream must be there first.”
