Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr Varun Bharwad.
Hi Dr Varun , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
– I began my journey as a physician with a medical degree from India, driven by a deep passion for public health and community service.
• After moving to the United States, I observed major gaps in access to healthcare for uninsured and low-income families, which inspired me to dedicate my work to creating sustainable and compassionate healthcare systems.
• I currently serve as the Executive Director of AMSS Clinic, American Muslim Community Clinics, a volunteer-based organization offering medical, dental, and mental health services across Seminole, Orange, and Osceola Counties.
• Under my leadership, AMSS Clinic has become the number one free clinic in Seminole County, serving over 5,000 unduplicated patients annually and supported by more than 200 dedicated volunteers.
• I expanded the clinic’s reach by growing our Mobile Health Clinic, initiating Women’s Health and Cancer Prevention Camps offering mammograms and pap smears in collaboration with the Florida Department of Health, and launching a Behavioral Health Program focusing on psychiatry and counseling.
• Alongside my leadership role, I am completing my PhD in Healthcare Administration after earning my Master of Public Health to strengthen my expertise in healthcare policy and leadership.
• My journey reflects persistence, purpose, and gratitude. Each day I am reminded that healthcare is not only a profession but a mission to serve humanity with dignity and compassion.
• The success of AMSS Clinic represents not just my leadership but the collective effort of volunteers, donors, and partners who share the belief that everyone deserves access to quality care regardless of their financial situation.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
• The journey has been meaningful but certainly not without challenges.
• Coming to the United States as an immigrant student was both exciting and difficult. Adjusting to a new culture, education system, and career path required patience and perseverance.
• My academic path began in clinical medicine, but my deeper passion for improving community well-being led me to pursue public health and healthcare administration.
• Building credibility in a new country as an immigrant physician came with its own struggles, from navigating licensing barriers to proving my leadership capabilities.
• When I joined AMSS Clinic, it was already established by visionary community leaders. My focus became strengthening its foundation, expanding its programs, and helping it reach the level it stands at today through teamwork, dedication, and community collaboration.
• Together with our volunteers, providers, and partners, we transformed the clinic into the leading free healthcare organization in Seminole County, serving thousands of uninsured individuals each year.
• Financial limitations, community outreach, and resource coordination were significant challenges, but the collective spirit of our team made progress possible.
• Despite every obstacle, my belief in compassionate, equitable care kept me moving forward. Each challenge became a lesson that shaped my leadership and reaffirmed my mission to serve humanity with purpose and gratitude.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
• As the Executive Director of AMSS Clinic, American Muslim Community Clinics, I oversee the operations of a volunteer-driven network that provides free medical, dental, and mental health services to uninsured and underserved residents across Central Florida.
• I specialize in healthcare administration, community health strategy, and program development aimed at improving access to equitable care.
• My work focuses on building strong partnerships between nonprofit organizations, healthcare providers, hospitals, and public agencies to create a sustainable safety net for those who otherwise go without care.
• I am known for my ability to transform ideas into actionable community programs, mobilizing volunteers and providers around a shared mission of compassion and service.
• Under my leadership, AMSS Clinic has served more than 5,000 unduplicated patients annually, supported by over 200 active volunteers, making it the largest free healthcare provider in Seminole County.
• I helped launch major initiatives including the Mobile Health Clinic, Women’s Health and Cancer Prevention Camps offering mammograms and pap smears in collaboration with the Florida Department of Health, and a Behavioral Health Program focusing on psychiatry and counseling.
• I take pride not only in the numbers but in the human impact — families receiving preventive care for the first time, women accessing early cancer screenings, and patients receiving mental health support that restores hope.
• What sets me apart is a blend of clinical knowledge, public health expertise, and a servant-leadership mindset that views healthcare as a right, not a privilege.
• I believe that true leadership is about empowering others, and the success of AMSS Clinic reflects the dedication of every volunteer, provider, and community partner who stands behind our mission.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
• Mentorship has been a cornerstone of my growth both professionally and personally. The right mentors not only guide your career but also awaken a deeper sense of purpose.
• One of the most inspiring mentors in my journey has been Mr. Atif Fareed, one of the founding members of AMSS Clinic and now serving as Chairman of the Board.
• Mr. Fareed is a full-time pilot by profession but an extraordinary social worker and a kind soul whose vision and compassion have shaped the clinic’s mission.
• His belief that healthcare is a human right deeply influenced my own passion for public health and strengthened my commitment to expand equitable healthcare access for all.
• His humility, leadership, and dedication to community service have taught me that true success is not measured by titles but by the lives we touch and the hope we restore.
• Beyond formal mentorship, I continue to learn from every volunteer, provider, and partner who contributes to our mission at AMSS Clinic.
• Networking for me is about building genuine relationships rooted in shared values of compassion, service, and growth.
• What has worked best is approaching every interaction with sincerity and the intention to learn and contribute. When you focus on giving, meaningful mentorship and opportunities naturally follow.
• My advice to others is to seek mentors who inspire you not only to achieve more but to become more — people like Mr. Atif Fareed who embody service, kindness, and leadership through action.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.amssclinic.org/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-varun-bharwad-89437053
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/american-muslim-community-clinics/
