How a New York emigre program laid the groundwork for a global health platform

For Mikhail “Dr. Mike” Varshavski, DO, inspiration wasn’t something found in a textbook or a lecture hall; it was a lived experience. Following his family’s emigration from Russia in the 1990s, Mike’s father, Oskar Varshavskiy, DO, faced the daunting task of completely rebuilding his life’s work.

Though he was already an established, practicing physician in Russia, navigating the complex U.S. licensing system presented monumental hurdles. To secure his future and ensure he could practice medicine in America, Oskar made the remarkable decision to start his formal education entirely over, enrolling in the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine’s (NYITCOM) Emigre Physicians Program.

Oskar was particularly drawn to osteopathic medicine because of its emphasis on whole-person care.

“During my medical education in Russia, this was far from the mentality instilled in us, so the idea that the body functions as an interconnected system, and that lifestyle, environment, mental health, family and community all require attention, really resonated with me,” Oskar says.

Though Mike did consider other career paths, growing up with a physician father meant that medicine became a constant presence. Seeing Oskar’s dedication firsthand served as his earliest inspiration. However, he says he didn’t fully understand what it meant to be a physician or the responsibility that comes with it until he was older.

From the exam room to a global audience

That sense of responsibility has since taken on a whole new meaning (and scale). Now recognized as the most followed physician on social media, Mike has channeled that early inspiration into a massive global platform. Known to millions as “Dr. Mike,” his reach has expanded far beyond an exam room.

Watching his son navigate that massive platform has given Oskar a unique perspective on the family legacy. Describing his son’s fame as both surreal and emotional, Oskar says he is proud of how Mike represents medicine in “an approachable, honest and compassionate way.”

“As a father, I see the same person I watched grow up, study, work hard and go through challenges. But then I also see the impact he is having on people around the world,” Oskar says. “Most importantly, I am proud that he uses his platform responsibly. A large audience is a privilege, but it is also a serious obligation. He understands that.”

To Mike, fulfilling that obligation means blending his clinical duties with his natural love for science and human connection. He says his mission is to keep expanding the reach of trustworthy health information.

“There is so much confusion online, and people are constantly being targeted with fear-based or misleading health claims. I want to keep creating content that is accurate, engaging and genuinely helpful,” he explains.

Whole-person health in digital spaces

That mindset of looking at the bigger picture to help people find clarity is exactly what osteopathic medicine is about. Mike says his DO background shapes almost everything about how he communicates, emphasizing the whole person and preventive care.

“My DO training helps me avoid overly simplistic answers. It reminds me to look at the full picture and to speak to people as humans, not just as patients or viewers,” Mike says. “Online, that means being evidence-based, compassionate and practical. My goal is not to lecture people. It is to help them make better decisions with better information.”

Between his osteopathic training and his father’s mentorship, Mike learned early on that true medicine requires a human touch. Citing the best advice his father ever gave him, Mike says, “Patients may not always remember every medical detail, but they will remember how you made them feel. That has shaped how I approach both medicine and communication.”

Full circle

For Oskar, seeing his son embrace that holistic approach wasn’t just a professional milestone; it was also deeply personal. Having gone through the grueling process of restarting his own medical education, watching Mike choose the same path and the same university, NYITCOM, felt like the realization of the American Dream, and brought his own story completely full circle.

“It was one of the proudest feelings a father can have,” Oskar shares. “When Mike chose medicine, and specifically osteopathic medicine, it felt very meaningful because I knew he was choosing a profession rooted in service, discipline, compassion and responsibility. But what made me most proud was not simply that he became a doctor; it was watching him develop the qualities that make a good doctor: curiosity, empathy, humility and a sincere desire to help people.”

Now near retirement, Oskar can look back on a fulfilling career knowing that this shared focus on patient connection remains the anchor for this father-son story. While the day-to-day tools of the trade have evolved significantly from Oskar’s traditional practice to Mike’s modern multimedia platform, the underlying philosophy driving their work remains entirely unchanged.

“Medicine is a beautiful profession, but it requires heart. Knowledge is essential, but compassion is what allows that knowledge to truly reach people,” Oskar says. “I am grateful that our family is part of this profession, and I am proud to see Mike carry it forward in his own way.”

For Mike, carrying that torch means bridging the gap between clinical medicine and modern media, ensuring that the core mission of helping people get and stay healthy never gets lost in the noise.

“As a family, medicine has always been part of our story, but so has service,” Mike says. “Whether it’s one patient in an exam room or millions of people watching a video, the goal is the same: help people understand their health and feel empowered to take care of themselves.”

Other stories in this series:

All in the family: How 3 DOs are keeping a multi-generation legacy alive

‘Life’s too short to be miserable.’ The simple advice that shaped a son’s medical journey

A shared tenacity: The father-son duo practicing whole-person care under the same roof