Last night, I had the luxury of time to watch an old movie, Patch Adams. It is a comedy-drama film released in 1998, with a screenplay written by Steve Oedekerk. If you’re unfamiliar with the true story of the main character, Hunter Doherty “Patch” Adams, you will certainly be in awe of how deeply this movie can impact its viewers. The director, Tom Shadyac, along with the cast—especially Robin Williams—made this portrayal a success. The film even earned more than double its production cost.
If you’ve seen this movie, you’ll understand what I mean. If not, you might want to consider adding it to your watchlist.
You may be wondering why I’m talking about Patch Adams. The movie is inspired by the life of physician Hunter Doherty “Patch” Adams, who lived in West Virginia. It tells the story of how he discovered his passion for becoming a doctor and how he helped patients while still in medical school—despite the lack of support from a strict school administrator who tried to prevent him from graduating because of what he described as “excessive happiness.”
The life lessons I learned from this story rekindled my love for my profession.
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You Have the Power to Change Your Life
Patch Adams suffered from severe depression, which led to three suicide attempts. He was eventually admitted to a mental institution, where he discovered how his sense of humor could help other patients.
Helping others can truly change your perspective on life.
In the movie, Patch explains to a close friend how he found his calling to become a doctor. The “high” he felt from helping his roommate in the psychiatric ward gave him a renewed sense of purpose—to help others. He shared that he forgot his own problems when he focused on helping his roommate, who was too afraid to move because of his fears. I can only imagine the joy he must have felt when his roommate finally walked into the restroom after their long battle with imaginary squirrels.
I may not be a doctor like Patch Adams, but I do work with patients. I am deeply indebted to my Nursing 101 teacher, Mrs. De Guzman, who taught me that nursing is a vocation.
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Acceptance
In the movie, Patch was ridiculed by a classmate in medical school for being “too old” to study medicine. That same classmate even reported him for possible cheating. Apparently, he felt threatened because, despite all his efforts in studying, he couldn’t outperform Patch—who seemed to succeed while still bringing joy to his patients.
In the end, that same classmate became Patch’s friend after realizing that Patch had a unique gift for healing. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t convince his patient to eat—but Patch could.
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Follow Your Intuition (Trust Your Gut)
One pivotal moment in the movie occurs when Patch Adams’s girlfriend is murdered by a man they tried to help at the home clinic Patch founded. Although this part of the story did not happen in real life, it carries an important message.
Patch’s girlfriend initially felt uneasy about the man, but Patch convinced her to give him a chance. Later, the man called her asking for help, and when she responded, tragedy struck.
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Learn to Let Go
After his girlfriend’s death, Patch blamed himself and left medical school. He returned to a special place—a cliff overlooking a beautiful mountain view—where he had once envisioned building a hospital for the poor.
There, he tried to speak to God and even contemplated jumping. In that moment, he noticed a monarch butterfly that landed on his suitcase and then on his chest. It reminded him of his girlfriend, who once shared how she envied caterpillars as a child because they could transform into butterflies and gain the freedom to fly.
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Bible – Romans 8:28
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
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When Patch returned to school, administrators warned him that he might not graduate because of his unconventional behavior. He was brought before a panel to determine whether he could continue his studies.
They questioned his unorthodox practice of treating patients at his home clinic without a license. In response, Patch explained that everyone who came to his home was both a patient and a doctor—reflecting a more holistic approach to healing. He emphasized the importance of human connection in medicine.
Children he had visited in the hospital even appeared at the hearing with their parents.
This was a very moving scene for me. Sometimes, you don’t need words to prove your intentions. Your good deeds ripple outward and echo in the hearts of those who witness them.
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Thank you for reading my thoughts on Patch Adams. If you’re looking for a movie that can uplift your spirit and help you reflect on your purpose in life, I highly recommend it. It is truly inspiring—especially when you learn about the real Dr. Hunter Doherty Adams.
Please check out Dr. Patch Adam’s book on the link below. Its proceeds will help his hospital for the poor.
