Press Release
Stamford, Conn. – March 21, 2017 – Social media entrepreneur and philanthropist Dr. Mikhail Varshavski is headed to El Salvador to work alongside doctors at the Americares family clinic.
The medical resident better known as “Doctor Mike” will spend time volunteering at la Clínica Integral de Atención Familiar, where he will provide primary care services alongside Americares clinicians and demonstrate his “Practice What You Prescribe” fitness program, which encourages doctors to exercise with their patients. Doctor Mike, who works out with patients of Overlook Medical Center in Summit, NJ, plans to expand his program to serve more low-income and uninsured patients.
“We are excited to have Doctor Mike volunteer at the clinic and introduce his fitness program to our patients,” said Americares Medical Officer Dr. Julie Varughese. “One of the most alarming health trends is the rise in chronic disease globally. We share Doctor Mike’s enthusiasm for important lifestyle changes that can help prevent debilitating diseases.”
The Americares family clinic provides high-quality, low-cost health care services to more than 30,000 low-income children and adults from across eastern El Salvador. The clinic’s popular education programs draw more than 100,000 participants every year to learn about disease prevention, pediatric development, nutrition and other health topics. Americares opened the clinic in 2003 to restore health services in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake.
Doctor Mike emigrated from Russia to Brooklyn, NY, at the age of 6 and graduated from the New York Institute of Technology with a bachelor’s degree in life sciences and a doctorate in osteopathy via an accelerated seven-year track.
Doctor Mike rose to social media stardom after he was discovered on Instagram by BuzzFeed and People Magazine. Today, he harnesses his social media fame to educate and inspire his nearly 3 million followers, as well as raise awareness for his charitable causes. After losing his mother to Leukemia, Doctor Mike became an advocate for cancer research and a supporter of Susan G. Komen and Stand Up to Cancer.
“I am a doctor who truly believes in preventative care and making the world a better place,” Doctor Mike said. “I want everyone to have the opportunity to reach their goals, but that means putting health first. Americares is an organization that shares that philosophy. Together, I hope we can inspire more patients to take better care of their health and allow them to reach their full potential.”
Americares has been saving lives and improving health for people affected by poverty or disaster worldwide for nearly 40 years. The health-focused nonprofit delivers and supports quality clinical services to meet the most critical medical needs. To reduce preventable illness, Americares supports, designs and implements disease prevention and health education efforts that link to treatment services at community clinics and hospitals.
Follow Doctor Mike’s trip on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
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