Dr. Fran: From OB-GYN to TikTok Star, Combating Misinformation and Empowering Women
Dr. Franziska Haydanek, better known as “Paging Dr. Fran” on TikTok, never intended to become a social media influencer. Her journey began with a simple desire to correct the rampant misinformation about women’s health she encountered online. Armed with her medical expertise and a passion for patient education, she started creating short, informative videos during a six-month break after medical school. What started as a personal project quickly gained traction, especially following the leaked Dobbs decision in 2022, which overturned Roe v. Wade. Dr. Fran’s creation of a publicly accessible list of doctors willing to perform tubal ligations catapulted her to TikTok fame, garnering nearly 100,000 followers in a single month. Today, her platform boasts over 650,000 followers on TikTok alone, a testament to the public’s thirst for accurate and accessible medical information.
Dr. Fran’s mission centers on combating misinformation, particularly within the politically charged realm of obstetrics and gynecology. She recognizes the vulnerability of patients seeking information online and the potential for misinterpretation or manipulation. While acknowledging the internet’s potential as a valuable educational resource, she emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and verifying information with a trusted healthcare provider. Dr. Fran encourages her followers to use online resources as a starting point, then engage in open dialogue with their doctors to personalize information and ensure its relevance to their individual health needs. She champions a collaborative approach to healthcare, where patients are empowered with knowledge and actively participate in their own care.
Dr. Fran’s impactful presence extends beyond individual patient education. She sees her role as a vital counterbalance to the often-politicized narratives surrounding women’s health. By providing evidence-based information, she aims to equip individuals with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their reproductive health, free from the influence of misinformation or biased agendas. Her work serves as a beacon of clarity in a digital landscape often cluttered with conflicting and unreliable information. She actively encourages other doctors to join her in the digital space, recognizing the importance of medical professionals leading the conversation and ensuring accurate information reaches the widest possible audience.
The rising popularity of her videos, combined with their easy-to-understand format, has opened up new avenues for Dr. Fran. In 2023, she began monetizing her content through partnerships with brands aligned with her values and medical expertise. As demands on her time increased, she partnered with a management company to handle business aspects, allowing her to focus on content creation and patient care. This transition has led to significant financial growth, tripling her income in 2024 and further increasing it in 2025. She remains selective about her collaborations, declining the majority of offers that don’t align with her professional and personal ethics, prioritizing authenticity and patient trust.
The financial success of her online platform has provided Dr. Fran with greater financial security, allowing her to address student loan debt and build a stronger financial foundation for her family. However, despite this newfound financial freedom, she remains steadfast in her commitment to her medical practice. She views her online presence as a valuable supplement to her work as a physician, not a replacement. The direct interaction with patients and the ability to provide hands-on care remain central to her professional identity and personal fulfillment.
Looking ahead, Dr. Fran plans to maintain her dual role as a practicing physician and online educator. While she may adjust her clinical hours to accommodate her growing family and online commitments, she remains dedicated to serving as a reliable source of information for her followers. She envisions a future where her platform continues to empower individuals with accurate medical knowledge, fosters open communication between patients and doctors, and ultimately improves women’s healthcare experiences. Dr. Fran’s journey exemplifies the potential of social media to bridge the gap between medical expertise and public understanding, transforming the way healthcare information is accessed and consumed.
