Dr. Mikhail “Doctor Mike” Varshavski, the doctor who rose to fame on the internet and was voted “People” magazine’s “Sexiest Doctor Alive,” will be the emcee at Emanuel Medical Center’s Women’s Cancer Awareness Night Out.
Themed “Open ‘Mike’ Night,” the event will be held on Oct. 17 at Monte Vista Chapel, 1619 E. Monte Vista Ave. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The formal program begins at 7 p.m. with a procession of cancer survivors. Free tickets are limited to two per person and must be reserved in advance. Reservations can be placed online at emanuelmedicalcenter.org/cancer or by phone at (855) 819-5294.
Joining the festivities for a special appearance will be Caly Bevier, the 2016 semifinalist from “America’s Got Talent.” Bevier’s singing and stage presence so impressed judge Simon Cowell that he used his one and only “golden buzzer” to fast track her to the competition’s live shows.
Varshavski graduated from the New York Institute of Technology in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences and a Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine via an accelerated seven-year track program. It was during this time that he started chronicling his experiences in medical school on his Instagram, which quickly began amassing followers. He was launched into internet stardom when he was featured in a Buzzfeed article that highlighted his good looks. His Instagram account currently has 2.6 million followers.
In 2015, Varshavski started the non-profit organization The Limitless Tomorrow Foundation to help support students reach their full potential without having the hindrance of financial barriers.
Varshavski’s commitment to cancer research began in his first year of medical school when his mother died from leukemia. Since then he has shaved his head for St. Baldrick's children's cancer organization and led Team Doctor Mike in the Susan G. Komen Greater NYC Race for the Cure.
In addition to serving as the event’s emcee, Varshavski will share his personal journey and offer women’s cancer awareness and prevention information.
Bevier has had her own experience battling cancer. At age 15 she was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer. While still sick, she recorded a version of Rachel Platten’s “Fight Song,” which her father posted on Facebook. That led to a performance at a fundraiser for another cancer patient which was videoed and widely viewed on YouTube, then an appearance on Ellen DeGeneres’s talk show and eventually “America’s Got Talent.” Now, in remission for two years, Bevier is committed to making people more aware of the symptoms of ovarian cancer.
This will be the 20th year for EMC’s Women’s Cancer Awareness Night Out, and in recognition of the milestone, the festivities will also feature some of the performances from the event’s previous 19 years.