Dr. Michael Varenbut: Empowering Health Through Care
Discover the tools and resources you need to live your healthiest life through Family Medicine and comprehensive Healthcare, emphasizing the importance of Medicine and Preventative Care.
About Dr. Michael Varenbut
My Story
For me, medicine has never just been a career—it’s been a lifelong commitment to helping people heal, recover, and thrive. What inspires me most is seeing my patients regain their health and confidence, and witnessing how those moments of recovery ripple outward to touch families, friends, and entire communities.
From the very beginning of my medical journey in Family Medicine, I have been driven by a desire to make healthcare more accessible, especially for individuals struggling with mental health and addiction. I’ve dedicated much of my career to building clinics and programs that reach underserved populations, ensuring that every patient—no matter their background—has the opportunity to receive compassionate, evidence-based care.
My path in medicine began at the University of Toronto, where I earned my Bachelor of Science in Biology with Honours in 1987, followed by my Doctor of Medicine with Honours in 1991, and then completion of the Family Medicine Residency at the University of Toronto (Sunnybrook Hospital).
My passion for learning and clinical excellence has guided me ever since. I completed specialty training in Sleep Medicine at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York and the Stanford University School of Sleep Medicine in 2000, and later earned certification in Addiction Medicine from the American Society of Addiction Medicine in 2002 (recertified in 2012).
Throughout my career, I’ve focused on three main areas: Addiction Medicine, Sleep Medicine, and Primary Care. I have authored more than 48 publications in respected journals such as The Canadian Journal of Addiction and The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse. As founding editor of the Canadian Journal of Addiction, I helped create a platform to share new knowledge and support continuous improvement in patient care. I’ve also had the privilege of serving on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Society of Addiction Medicine, contributing to the advancement of standards across the field.
Teaching and mentorship have always been deeply rewarding parts of my work. For over a decade, I taught in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto and mentored medical students through the Family Medicine Mentorship Program. I’ve been honoured to receive the Faculty of Medicine Teaching Award for the Peters-Boyd Academy in 2003 and 2010, along with several nominations over the years.
Looking ahead, my vision for healthcare is simple. I hope for a system where access to high-quality care is universal—where financial barriers and social factors never stand in the way of well-being. I also believe strongly in shifting the focus toward preventative care, helping patients live healthier, fuller lives long before illness ever takes hold.
Local Hospitals
Mackenzie Health
Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital Site
10 Trench Street, Richmond Hill, ON, L4C 4Z3
Phone: 905-883-1212
This facility offers a range of healthcare services, including Family Medicine and preventative care options for the community.
Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital Site
3200 Major Mackenzie Dr W, Vaughan, ON, L6A 4Z3
Phone: 905-417-2000
At this location, patients can access comprehensive services in medicine, ensuring that preventative care is a priority.
For more information, visit https://www.mackenziehealth.ca/
Southlake Regional Health Centre
For quality Family Medicine and comprehensive Healthcare services, contact us at 905-895-4521. If you require TTY assistance, please call 905-952-3062. Visit us at 596 Davis Drive, Newmarket, Ontario L3Y 2P9, and learn more about our approach to Medicine and Preventative Care at https://southlake.ca/.
Markham Stouffville Hospital (Oak Valley Health)
381 Church Street, Markham, ON L3P 7P3
(905) 472-7373
For quality Family Medicine and comprehensive Healthcare services, visit us at Markham Stouffville Hospital. We are dedicated to providing exceptional Medicine and focus on Preventative Care to ensure the well-being of our community.
Learn more at https://www.oakvalleyhealth.ca/our-hospitals/markham-stouffville-hospital/