(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 18 million followers and 1 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.”

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