In a very heartfelt effort to keep something important to John in his way too early departure and keeping his profound spirit alive in every way that we all can...........he will be missed by everyone he touched more than anyone could ever imagine.

I met Dr. Galvin over a decade ago, and he was my first mentor. I followed him to UIC for residency, and I am now in oncology fellowship largely because of his influence. I am heartbroken to hear of his passing. I will carry his example moving forward as both a physician and a teacher. 

I am deeply grateful to his family for sharing him with all of us.

No Kings Day — with John, Mom, Eloise and Patrick

I am so utterly sad to hear about John. We had rotations together in residency and he was so sweet, kind and fun -and so smart in the lab. I really loved him. What a tremendous loss to his family and the word. 

John was such a dear colleague—kind, compassionate, and a truly exceptional physician.

Losing him has been a profound shock and a deeply personal loss. His warm smile and genuine presence had a way of touching every heart around him.

My heartfelt condolences and prayers go out to his bereaved family and friends. May they find comfort and strength during this difficult time, and may John’s soul rest in eternal peace.

Warm regards,Tanjeev Kaur

Maria and Family- I truly cannot begin to express my deep sadness for you and your family in light of John’s passing. I had the absolute pleasure of working with John at Incyte for his tenure with Incyte and he was such an incredible presence. John had such a sincerity and purity about him that I so admired as a fellow scientist. He was also just incredibly funny, supportive, and such a *kind* heart. My last two meetings with John, we talked about our children and his sister moving to Chicago from Allentown PA, where I also have family. And that’s how it always was with John…we had 100 work related things we needed to discuss but inevitably always talked about our lives, families, and personal interests, because that was the type of person he was. He really wanted to know you, to support you personally and the work stuff followed. And that’s what made him an incredible coworker and friend. He is, and will be, so incredibly missed. I hope his family finds peace in knowing the incredible impact he had on all of us. I will carry John’s spirit and grace with me. 

Family Trip in Bar Harbor, ME — with Family

I knew John from Notre Dame ! Clever , caring and a concert guy who loved live music ! I met him early on as we both came from the Detroit area to South Bend .  I am so happy to read he has an incredible wife and kids who I will be keeping in my prayers . 

Dr Galvin was my doctor for the last 12 years. After getting a transplant and developing GVHD I visited him monthly for several years. Even after he left to work at Incyte we would still speak and he would offer me counsel. He was the best listener, was never hurried with me or my family. I credit him for saving my life several times during this journey when hospitalized or on a trial drug that helped me tremendously. His last text to me was to just wish me a happy thanksgiving a year ago. I don't know when the transition happened for me but it was probably very early on that I didn't consider him my doctor but a friend. I am deeply saddened and will remember his family in my prayers.

I was so sorry to learn of your loss. Hoping happier memories of him help carrry you forward. Cousin Diana Biordi 

I knew John from a very young age, and he was always an absolutely wonderful human being that I looked up to. My condolences to his family, may his memory forever be a blessing. 

I worked with John for over five years at Incyte, and when I think about what I admired most about him, it was his calm equanimity. He was obviously very smart—someone who could grasp complex problems quickly and bring clarity to challenging situations. But what most comes to my mind was his steadiness and kindness that made him such a grounding presence on our team.

No matter how stressful things got, John had a way of making people feel at ease. He listened more than he spoke, and when he did speak, it was always with thoughtfulness and respect.

I’ll miss his quiet confidence, his generosity with his time, and the genuine care he showed for those around him. Working with him was a privilege, and I’m grateful for the example he set—for how to lead, how to collaborate, and how to treat people.

My thoughts to John's family.

Dan

Thinking of John here at the latest medical conference and how much his absence will be felt at many more to come as his work lives on with the research that he tirelessly championed. His generosity and mentorship meant so much.  He changed how I practice medicine in many ways, with his endless patience for house staff and patients alike. 

The wonderful grotto that John built! — with The Grotto

John in his amazingly creative Halloween costume that lasted 30 seconds in a crowded room — with John Galvin

— with Jeff Roth

I’m heartbroken at the loss of John, and I keep coming back to our years at Turtle Creek Court during our senior year at Notre Dame. We were basically held together by egg sandwiches, late-night problem-solving, and that endless stream of ideas he carried around. I shared one of those stories at his and Maria’s wedding, but the truth is every year with John created a dozen more.

He had the mind of an engineer, always sketching inventions to improve the world, even as he devoted himself fully to medicine. Back at Turtle Creek, while we were running live concerts out of our apartment known as the “Orange Couch Club,” John was already imagining ways to make life better for others. He treated creativity like a responsibility, something meant to lift people up. And after we graduated, he did just that: creating a photography program for underserved students in Chicago and volunteering in a Ugandan hospital while dreaming up solar-light solutions for the village where he worked.

One of my favorite memories will always be the replica of the Grotto he built at his home in Grosse Pointe. It was pure John: thoughtful, symbolic, and crafted with care. That’s who he was, everywhere he went.

Our friendship had this wonderfully odd rhythm. Sometimes a whole year would pass with only one conversation, yet every time we reconnected it was like flipping a switch. Same energy. Same spark. Same John. I’m grateful I saw him and his family this fall, and that our conversation was exactly as it had always been.

John gave so much of himself to the world through his positivity, his creativity, and his belief that things could always be improved. I’m grateful for every moment we had, and I’ll carry his ideas, his laughter, and his light with me.

May his memory be a blessing and may all who loved him find comfort in the remarkable life he lived.

I was heartbroken to learn of John's untimely passing. He will be so, so missed, and on so many levels. I had the great fortune of meeting John several years ago at a small, unique retreat. I had the opportunity to get to know him quite well even though it was just several days. Even after that brief time period it was clear who John was - remarkably dedicated to his patients, colleagues, and family, and also the 'underdog' (in many senses) and the transformation of healthcare. All of this embodied in his jovial, welcoming, and friendly persona. He was a champion for causes and work that many were not - and so remarkably effective, while always being warm, welcoming, and encouraging. I always looked forward to seeing John at professional meetings, getting his texts, and talking about all the things of life. We had so much more planned. He will be incredibly missed. Yet he left several lifetime's worth of impact during his one life. I never had the good fortune to meet John's family, but I feel like I know you all at least a bit for all he shared - the love and adoration was obvious, always. Your husband/son/father/brother was a remarkable human. I feel fortunate to have had him in my life, even if cut much too short. You are all in my thoughts.

Dr. Cola, I am so sorry to hear this heartbreaking news. Keeping  you and your children in my thoughts and sending you love and strength during this time. 

Much love, Olivia Schenck

I was so sorry to learn about John's passing.  He was an accomplished physician and true patient advocate who will be terribly missed.  This obituary was beautifully written and encapsulates him well.   Sending love to Maria and family at this incredibly difficult time. 

I’m really good friends with John‘s twin sister Julie. I’m so sorry I never got a chance to meet John but I hear he was a wonderful guy. I pray that his family finds comfort in all the wonderful memories shared. 💕