DR MIKE

Dr. Mike, born Mikhail Oskarovich Varshavski on November 12, 1989, in Saransk, Russia, is a Russian-American board-certified family medicine physician, YouTube personality, educator, and philanthropist. He gained widespread recognition through his engaging online presence, where he combines medical expertise with approachable content, aiming to make health education accessible to a broad audience. 

Early Life and Education

At the age of six, Dr. Mike immigrated with his family to Brooklyn, New York. His father, a physician from Ukraine, and his mother, a mathematics professor from Russia, faced the challenges of rebuilding their careers in a new country. Inspired by his father's dedication to medicine, Dr. Mike pursued a career in healthcare. He enrolled in an accelerated seven-year program at the New York Institute of Technology, earning both a Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree. He completed his residency in family medicine at Overlook Medical Center in New Jersey.

YouTube Career and Online Presence

Dr. Mike launched his YouTube channel, Doctor Mike, in 2016, aiming to provide reliable health information in an entertaining format. His content includes reactions to medical scenes in popular media, debunking health myths, and providing insights into various medical topics. As of May 2025, his channel boasts over 13.9 million subscribers and more than 4.45 billion views.

In addition to YouTube, Dr. Mike maintains a strong presence on other social media platforms, including Instagram, where he shares glimpses into his professional and personal life.

Boxing Endeavors

Expanding his pursuits beyond medicine and media, Dr. Mike ventured into boxing. He made his amateur boxing debut in May 2022, securing a unanimous decision victory against fellow YouTuber iDubbbz. Later that year, he faced professional MMA fighter Chris Avila in his professional boxing debut, which resulted in a unanimous decision loss. 

Philanthropy and Advocacy

Dr. Mike is deeply committed to philanthropy and health advocacy. In 2015, he established the Limitless Tomorrow Foundation, which provides scholarships to students. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he donated $50,000 worth of N95 masks to healthcare workers and used his platform to disseminate accurate health information. In April 2025, he was appointed as a UNICEF Ambassador, focusing on combating vaccine misinformation and promoting children's health worldwide.

Awards and Recognition

• 2015: Named "Sexiest Doctor Alive" by People magazine.

• 2020: Won Webby Awards for Education & Discovery and Health & Fitness in the Social category.

• 2021: Received the Streamy Award in the Health and Wellness category.

• 2022: Honored with the Webby People's Voice Award for Best Influencer.

Fun Facts

• Height: 6 feet 3 inches (190 cm).

• Pet: Owns a Husky named Roxy, who frequently appears in his social media posts.

• Hobbies: Enjoys practicing taekwondo and holds a black belt.

• Public Speaking: Delivered a TEDx Talk titled "The Epidemic of the 'I Know It All' Expert," which has garnered over 3 million views.

Dr. Mike's unique blend of medical knowledge, charisma, and dedication to public health education has solidified his status as a trusted voice in the digital age. Through his multifaceted career, he continues to inspire and inform millions worldwide.