Dr. Mikhail “Mike” Varshavski, widely known online as “Doctor Mike,” recently revisited his connection to the Philippines during an episode of his popular podcast, The Checkup With Doctor Mike, featuring nurse-turned-comedian John Dela Cruz, better known as “Nurse John.”
Photos: Pia Juancey, Doctor Mike/Instagram
What began as a casual discussion on Filipino culture, hospitality, and family dynamics turned personal when Dr. Mike candidly brought up his past high-profile relationship with Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach.
Reflecting on their time together, Dr. Mike shared that dating Wurtzbach introduced him to Filipino values, noting how deeply impressed he was by the culture’s warmth, respect, and strong sense of community. He emphasized that the experience left a lasting positive impact on his view of the Philippines and its people, particularly praising the tight-knit family structures that define many Filipino households.
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Connecting the conversation to the medical field, both digital creators highlighted how these cultural traits translate directly into global healthcare. Dr. Mike and Nurse John pointed out that the innate empathy, compassion, and hospitality deeply ingrained in Filipino culture are precisely what make Filipino nurses and healthcare professionals such an essential, comforting presence in hospitals worldwide.
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”When you look at the healthcare field, it’s no coincidence Filipino nurses are so deeply valued globally. That same empathy, warmth, and family-first care you experience in the culture carries directly into how they treat patients,” said Dr. Mike.
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Dr. Mike and Pia Wurtzbach briefly dated in 2016, shortly after her historic Miss Universe win brought her into the global spotlight. The two eventually went their separate ways, with Wurtzbach now married to Scottish entrepreneur and Beautiful Destinations founder Jeremy Jauncey.
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Meanwhile, Dr. Mike continues to balance his active medical practice with managing his digital media platforms, using entertainment and education to promote health literacy to millions of subscribers globally.
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