Joel Bervell (’25 MD) made the inaugural TIME100 Creators list, which recognized the medical doctor as one of the most influential digital voices of the year.

Known to his 1.3 million followers as the “medical mythbuster,” Bervell uses platforms like TikTok and Instagram to challenge health disparities, debunk medical misinformation, and empower patients to advocate for themselves. He also hosts The Dose podcast with the Commonwealth Fund to discuss fresh ideas about the future of health care.

Bervell’s inclusion on the TIME100 list is the latest in a series of national accolades. He was recently named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list and garnered a Peabody Award for his innovative use of digital storytelling to illuminate the real-world impact of bias in medicine. His work has been featured on Today, TED, and other national forums.

Joel Bervell smiling, wearing white doctor's coat, tie and dress shirt
Courtesy Joel Bervell/Instagram

The recognition is “a powerful reminder of how unconventional platforms like social media can meet patients where they are, reshape medicine, and spark change,” Bervell says.

A Ghanaian-American, Bervell has long been driven by a mission to make medicine more accessible for students who are underrepresented in the field. His animated YouTube series, The Doctor Is In, aims to inspire young students to pursue careers in STEM.

At WSU’s Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Bervell founded the Coug Health Academic Mentoring Program (CHAMP), a student-led initiative that connects medical students with high school students across Washington. He also served as president of WSU’s Medical Student Council and chapter of the Student National Medical Association.

Joel Bervell in a tiled room shoots a video on his phone
Joel Bervell shoots a video for his social media followers. (Courtesy Joel Bervell/Facebook)

Now with a medical degree in hand, Bervell plans to stay in Washington to complete his training through an internal medicine residency. The specialty aligns with his passion for connecting with patients and solving complex puzzles, he notes.

“My journey to choosing a specialty has been shaped by a deep commitment to health equity, patient advocacy, and a desire to bridge gaps in care⁠—whether through direct patient interactions or systemic change,” Bervell says.

From the airwaves to the exam room, Bervell remains committed to using every tool at his disposal to build a better health care system for all.

Joel Bervell in medical scrubs on the WSU Spokane campus
Joel Bervell at WSU Spokane
(Courtesy Joel Bervell/Instagram)

 

Watch some of Bervell’s videos and read more

Joel Bervell on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, and The Dose podcast