Note: This event takes place in the eastern time zone. Food will be provided. RSVPs are greatly appreciated. The Theater will be full!
In partnership with the Arnold P. Gold Foundation, Marian University center for Organizational Ethics, and the Marian University office of Institutional Advancement, BRI student leaders from Marian University are proud to present a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear the celebrated Dr. Patch Adams. Dr. Adams, noted doctor (he got into medical school without an undergraduate degree!), comedian, humanitarian, social activist, and subject of the film Patch Adams with Robin Williams, will speak about himself, the doctor-patient relationship, and how he believes the doctor-patient relationship should be experienced.
POST-EVENT SUMMARY: Over 500 people came to the Wheeler-Stokely Mansion — and even filled an overflow room! — on the Marian University campus to hear a lively and entertaining talk by Dr. “Patch” Adams. He spoke about “The Joy of Caring.” Patch started off talking about how he came to be a doctor and the Gesundheit! Institute he started early in his career. The clinic that he started with two other doctors was free for all patients, and the patients could stay for as long as they wanted. The stipulation was that they had to help do work while at the clinic and participate in different activities.
He then talked about various problems in healthcare currently, including problems with education, how hospitals are run, burdensome insurance companies, physician burnout, and views on mental illness in society.
“The event was a great success. Researching Dr. Patch Adams before the event I knew there were things on which he and BRI would disagree. With that said, there were many things he and BRI would completely agree on. Ultimately, we both have the same end goal in mind: improving the doctor-patient relationship.” ~Trenton Schmale, president BRI-Marian
Dr. Adams finished with ways physicians can prevent burnout. His main ideas behind it all included improving the doctor-patient relationship. Some of his examples were: love all your patients (build friendships with them), consider yourself a hero through your acts of care for your patients (builds self-esteem), being real with your faith (actually doing what God wants you to do), doing good things leads to good things in return (karma), using your brain to think of solutions to problems (eg. his solution to the broken healthcare system).
His talk was very insightful, and I think it’s safe to say all the attendees really enjoyed listening to him. After his presentation, we held a post event reception and book signing. About 200 people attended this part of the evening.
Photo credits Chad Curtis and Jeremy Vollmer, executive event producer, Savahannah Lien, all BRI-Marian chapter leaders.