Last Updated on July 20, 2025 by Daily News Staff

Children’s Health

(Family Features) In a digital landscape crowded with influencers, it’s not every day
you find one who doubles as a board-certified physician. However, Doctor
Mikhail Varshavski – also known as Doctor Mike – made a name for himself by
pairing medical expertise with charisma and clarity.

Now, his
work is taking on new global significance as he steps into his latest role:
UNICEF Ambassador.

With more
than 25 million followers and 4 billion views across platforms, Doctor Mike
built a career translating complex health information into accessible, engaging
content. As an ambassador, he will use that same platform to raise awareness
around the mission to ensure every child is healthy, educated, protected and
respected.

This
collaboration began in 2021 with a video explaining how COVID-19 vaccines work.
Since then, he’s continued using his platform to address critical issues like
vaccine access and child nutrition. In 2024, he visited UNICEF’s Supply
Division in Copenhagen – the world’s largest humanitarian warehouse – where he
helped pack and ship life-saving supplies to families globally. Later that
year, he teamed up with Regional Goodwill Ambassador and rugby star Tendai
Mtawarira for a child nutrition quiz to raise awareness around child poverty.

“I am
proud to serve as the newest UNICEF Ambassador,” Doctor Mike said. “This role
represents an important opportunity for me to continue my work of advocating
for children’s health with an organization that provides nearly half of the
world’s children with critical vaccinations. UNICEF’s mission to ensure that
every child is healthy, educated, protected and respected has never been more
important and I look forward to amplifying this critical work on my platform.”

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Born in
Russia and raised in New York, Doctor Mike earned his B.S. and Doctorate in
Osteopathic Medicine from the New York Institute of Technology. He rose to
prominence during his medical residency at Atlantic Health System’s Overlook
Medical Center by sharing behind-the-scenes insights on social media and has
since become a trusted voice on health, regularly contributing to reputable
outlets and hosting his own podcast, “The Checkup.”

As an ambassador,
Doctor Mike joins a roster of notable advocates including Selena Gomez, Sofia
Carson, Laurie Hernandez and Jeremy Lin to use his voice to help ensure every
child can survive and thrive.

Find more
information by visiting unicefusa.org.

SOURCE:

UNICEF