Bulwark Takes Dr. Mike’s Fight to Save Medicine from RFK Jr.
Aug 4, 2025
Mikhail Varshavski, known as Dr. Mike, is a family medicine physician and viral YouTube creator focused on debunking medical misinformation. He discusses the chaotic healthcare landscape, including the pandemic's communication failures and vaccine skepticism. Dr. Mike highlights the critical role of immigrant physicians and their challenges in primary care. He also delves into the dual role of social media, advocating for transparency in public health messaging to combat misinformation and foster trust during a time of divided opinions.
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Dr. Mike's Social Media Origin Story
- Dr. Mike went viral sharing his med student and resident experiences on social media.
- He chose to use this platform for educating about primary care and debunking misinformation.
Communication Gap in Public Health
- Public health officials lacked preparedness in pandemic communication despite scientific readiness.
- CDC struggled to reach audiences on social media while misinformation thrived with social proof driving distrust.
Be Transparent About Uncertainty
- Always be transparent about uncertainty and evolving evidence in medicine.
- Avoid overstating confidence as it leads to loss of trust and fuels misinformation.
