John was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but spent most of his childhood in the rolling hills of central Pennsylvania close to historic Gettysburg. He returned to Pittsburgh for undergrad at Pitt where he majored in biology and anthropology. John was extensively involved with the university ski clubs and enjoyed their yearly trip to Vermont. He also loved cheering for the hometown Penguins as they won back-to-back Stanley Cups (sorry Preds, no hard feelings). After undergrad, John stayed in Pittsburgh and worked in an inpatient pharmacy doing sterile compounding of medications before moving to Philadelphia for medical school.

Outside of medicine, John enjoys being outside, playing soccer, hiking, and exploring new places with his brilliant fiancée and hanging out with their little cattle dog mix, Mazie.