For John Chuck, MD, medicine wasn’t always the plan. A self-described aspiring sportswriter in high school, he pivoted toward medicine when he realized he might not be the best writer in the room. What followed was a decades-long career in family medicine, shaped by humility, faith, and the guiding principle of saying “yes” – especially when it meant showing up for others.
Chuck matched into his second-choice residency at UC Davis, a decision he says turned out to be the perfect fit. “It brought me to Sacramento, closer to my wife’s hometown,” he says, “and gave me lifelong friends and colleagues I still cherish.” He later transitioned to Kaiser Permanente, where he spent much of his career in both clinical and leadership roles – though leadership wasn’t something he sought out. “Every meaningful position I’ve had came from someone else asking me to do it,” he says. “I just said yes.”
With cool friends at California Northstate University College of Medicine 2025 graduation
That pattern of openness and generosity has defined not only his career, but his approach to mentorship. Chuck created a formal mentoring program for new physicians within The Permanente Medical Group, which became a model for other regions. Now teaching at California Northstate University, he continues to support students as they navigate career choices. “I’m not trying to push anyone into family medicine,” he says with a laugh, “but if they’re interested, I do get excited.”
Family medicine is clearly a calling for Chuck, who lights up when talking about its rewards. “It’s comprehensive, longitudinal, multigenerational care,” he says. “You get to invest in people’s lives over time.” He recalls being drawn to relationships with patients – often staying in touch long after they’d left his care. “I still play golf and read books with former patients,” he says. “It’s the best life ever.”
That relational lens also colors his thoughts on parenting. Chuck and his wife, married 39 years, have raised two children with wildly different interests – jazz and Division I lacrosse – and embraced both with enthusiasm. “The best parenting advice I got was to get interested in what your kids are interested in,” he says. “Even if it’s jazz band or crawling through plastic tunnels.”
To unwind, Chuck walks – sometimes for miles. He golfs, he bikes, and he gathers weekly with a poker group he jokingly refers to as his “pallbearer buddies.” His friends, family, and faith community are all part of what keeps him centered. “Connection is how I recharge,” he says. “Whether it’s people, nature, or God – it’s about staying grounded in purpose.”
Relax already!
Throughout his career, Chuck has remained deeply engaged with the Sierra Sacramento Valley Medical Society, serving as Chair of the Joy of Medicine Committee, mentoring pre-meds through the Mentorship in Medicine program, and speaking to high school students in the Future of Medicine program. “You guys are the best partners,” he says. “It’s inspirational to see what SSVMS is doing to support physicians and the communities we serve.”
As for what’s next, Chuck still has one item on his bucket list: trying stand-up comedy. “People sometimes tell me I missed my calling,” he says, “but I tell them I’m just moderately funny for a medical speaker.” He’s kept a list of jokes and stories on his phone for years – just in case.
Asked how he decides which opportunities to accept, Chuck points to the wisdom of his wife: “She always asks, ‘What are you going to take off your plate to make room for this?’” It’s a lesson in sustainability, one he now passes on to others. “You can’t do it all, but if you say yes to the right things, you’ll end up exactly where you’re meant to be.”
