Meet Don John | Physician & Filmmaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Don John and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Don, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
I’d describe myself as a cautious risk-taker, which might sound like a contradiction, but I see it as a balanced approach. There’s often a misconception that risk means taking a blind leap into the unknown. But to me, risk is much simpler—it’s pursuing something despite the possibility of failure. Every meaningful step in my life and career has involved some level of risk, but none of them were reckless. They were calculated bets on myself.

I spent nearly a decade working as a pediatrician before I decided to apply to film school at USC—one of the top programs in the country—without any significant prior film experience. It was a daunting shift, but I knew that if I didn’t take the chance, I’d always wonder what could have been. Since then, I’ve gone from never having made a short film to directing my own projects, producing a film in Hawaii, attending the Cannes Film Festival, and even being nominated for a student Emmy.

If I’ve learned anything, it’s that the best risks are the ones where you bet on yourself, even without a guaranteed outcome. All the choices I’ve made in life – from turning down a cardiology fellowship at Yale, to moving across the country, to climbing Kilimanjaro, to applying to film school—all came with uncertainty. But with each one, I trusted that I could figure things out along the way.

The timing of this question is fitting because right now, I’m in the middle of making my first-ever YouTube video, and the topic? How to Take Risks in Life—Safely. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for years, but putting myself out there felt intimidating. And while posting a video online isn’t exactly scaling Everest, that’s the point—risk doesn’t have to be extreme. It just has to challenge you.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
For the past ten years, I’ve worked as a physician, caring for patients in some of the top hospitals in New York and California. But over the last three years, I’ve also stepped into a completely different world—one I’ve dreamed about since I was a kid: filmmaking. Balancing these two careers hasn’t been easy, but it’s been the most rewarding challenge of my life.

After completing my residency in Albany, NY I had the opportunity to pursue a cardiology fellowship at Yale. However it would have meant three more years of intense training and 80 hour weeks. Instead I chose to move back home of New York City to work in the Pediatric Cardiac ICU at Columbia University. While the job was still demanding and stressful, it allowed me far more time to explore creative pursuits, travel, and figure out my next steps.

That next step ended up being a big move— across the country to Los Angeles. A new job in a new city was exactly what I needed. Growing up in New York, I had lost some of that sense of wonder, but LA reignited my curiosity. I was in the city where movies were made, and I felt that energy everywhere.

I was working as a physician but followed my interest in film wherever I could. I started small—joining screenwriting groups, attending table reads in coffee shops, even looking into joining the grip union. But I realized that if I was serious about this, I needed to take a bigger step. That’s when I decided to apply to USC Film School, widely regarded as the best in the country. I wasn’t sure I’d get in, but I knew I had to try. And I did.

Of course, getting in was just the beginning. The hardest part was figuring out how to balance film school with a full-time career in medicine. There were days when I’d work a 24-hour hospital shift, then head straight to class, spending hours on campus until late at night before finally heading home to start all over again. It was exhausting, but never a burden—because I knew I was doing exactly what I had always wanted to do.

I was 33 when I applied to film school and 37 when I graduated. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that there’s no expiration date on your dreams. I had no real filmmaking experience when I started. But in just three years, I grew tremendously, directing and producing projects, attending major film festivals, and immersing myself in a world I had once thought was out of reach.

As for what’s next, I want to bridge my two worlds. Medicine and storytelling have more in common than people realize—they’re both about understanding human experiences. My goal is to write and develop medical television, both dramas and comedies, drawing from my firsthand experience in hospitals. Right now, I’m working on my own medical TV pilot, which I hope will be the first of many projects to come.

If there’s one thing I want people to take away from my journey, it’s this: You’re never too old to chase a new dream. There’s no set path, no right timing—just the decision to start.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If someone’s visiting, I’d want to give them a mix of classic LA experiences, hidden gems, and personal favorites—the kind of trip that captures what makes this city so special.

I’d start with one of my favorite spots in The Valley: Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City. It’s this peaceful little oasis with shops and cafés—one of my go-to places when I want to read, write, or just take a break from the city’s energy.

Given my love for film, we’d have to explore LA’s cinema history. I’d take them to The New Beverly (Quentin Tarantino’s theater, where you can catch 35mm prints of classic films) and The Aero Theatre for a curated lineup of iconic movies. A stop at the Academy Museum would be a must to dive deeper into Hollywood’s past.

For a night out, I’d take advantage of LA’s incredible comedy scene—which honestly rivals NYC’s. We’d catch a show at The Comedy Store or The Laugh Factory, where you never know which big-name comic might drop in.

Food-wise, there are too many great options, but a few personal favorites:
• Yamashiro – Incredible sushi with one of the best views of LA.
• Bacari Silver Lake – A great spot for tapas and wine.
• The Six Chow House – A cozy spot in the Valley with great comfort food.
• Le Petit Trois – A fantastic French bistro, because sometimes you just need a perfect omelet and a glass of wine.

And of course, no trip to LA is complete without some classic outdoor experiences. We’d do a morning hike up Runyon Canyon or Griffith Park to soak in the city views, then maybe take a drive up the PCH to Malibu for a beach day and lunch at Malibu Farm.

LA is one of those cities where you can experience film, comedy, food, nature, and culture all in one day. And that’s exactly the kind of trip I’d want to give my friend—one that showcases everything I love about this place.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Without question, my biggest shoutout goes to my wife, Meghan. They say one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make is who you choose as your partner in life—and I couldn’t agree more. My wife has been a constant force shaping my journey, not only through unwavering support, but by pushing me beyond my own limits.

As a pediatrician, I often think about child development—how a strong family foundation encourages kids to explore the world with confidence. A great relationship works the same way. Like most people, I’m prone to doubt and overthinking decisions. But the strength of our relationship has taught me that risk isn’t about being fearless—it’s about having the right people in your corner so you can take the leap anyway. In many ways, she’s been the catalyst for some of the most pivotal moments in my life from moving to LA, to climbing Kilimanjaro, to apply to film school.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donjohnsphotographs

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@donjohnmd

Other: IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11134037/?ref_=fn_all_nme_1