What is the Gesundheit Hospital?
The Gesundheit Hospital is the embodiment of our philosophy: a 40-bed rural community hospital building in rural West Virginia, dedicated to the free, community-centered approach that Patch Adams has pioneered since 1971. The project includes a permaculture farm and Teaching Center, and delivers care through our key principle that a loving connection between doctor and patient is essential for healing. 

Friendship and mutual interdependence are key ingredients in ensuring that real connection is formed, to realize our therapeutic mission. The atmosphere we will create is happy, funny, loving, cooperative, creative and thoughtful. 

In the words of Patch Adams himself: “I envisioned a model of holistic medical care based on the belief that one cannot separate the health of the individual from the health of the family, the community, the society and the world.”

How does the Gesundheit hospital solve existing problems in healthcare?
The current system of healthcare revolves around corporate structures, designed to prioritize profit over care. By creating a communal ecovillage for our permanent staff, who will live and work together, we create a place where everyone contributes and is paid equally, saving on the high costs associated with traditional hospitals. 

In this way, we can deliver free healthcare at the Gesundheit Hospital. We will not accept third party reimbursement. We will integrate most of the healing arts. Each practitioner can spend all the time they need with a patient. As a family doctor, Patch Adams likes to spend 3-4 hours on initial assessments. 

We believe real healing is achieved when practitioners combine knowledge of the technology of medicine with a compassionate approach. We place the best interests of both staff and patients at the heart of everything we do. 

Our aim is to: 

1. Eliminate debt as part of receiving care, taking one of the most expensive parts of our economy and giving it away as free healthcare.
2. To place mutual trust at the heart of all interactions in our hospital.
3. To enable initial assessments to be as long as they are required to be, avoiding the dehumanizing effects of rushed appointments.
4. To prioritize health of the care-giver as well as receiver.
5. To treat patients as friends and part of our community.
6. To acknowledge the importance of a holistic approach to care, integrating multiple therapeutic methods and modalities. 

With your help, we can educate and inspire the future of healthcare. 

Where will your donation go?
All donations take us one step closer to realizing Patch Adams’ vision, offering free healthcare within a community fostered on the importance of happiness, silliness, love, creativity and cooperation to achieve true health. 

Every dollar raised will help us continue our important work with you by our side. Together, we can do this!

*This form is SECURE* Your donation, and any payment on patchadams.org, has the latest security measures in place to protect your private information. Thank you for your contribution, your donation qualifies as a tax deduction should you care to take it.  You WILL receive a receipt. If you have any questions, please e-mail patch@patchadams.org. Our Federal Tax ID is 52-1573251.