Building a Healthcare Empire Through Mentorship with Dr. John Gallucci Jr.

What if one conversation at 16 could shape the next 40 years of your life?

In this episode, Dr. John A. Gallucci Jr., President & CEO of JAG Physical Therapy, shares his remarkable journey from a high school wrestler with injuries to building one of the Northeast's largest physical therapy empires with 170 locations serving New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Through the pivotal mentorship of Rich Giardano (a relationship that began with a literal smack to the back of the head and the question "What do you want to STUDY?"), John discovered his calling in sports medicine and learned invaluable lessons about business, integrity, and the importance of balance. From nearly losing everything in the first six months to serving over 700 providers and 2,000 employees, John reveals how one mentor's wisdom about networking, continuous learning, and kindness became the foundation for an organization that treats everyone "like a VIP professional athlete."

John reflects on how Rich's mentorship shaped not just his clinical skills, but his approach to building culture, fostering the next generation of leaders, and why he believes "one kind brings two." This principle guides JAG Physical Therapy's mission to help people "get back to the life you love."

 

[00:04:35] What John Does: Dual-Licensed Healthcare Leader

• Dual licensed as both a certified athletic trainer (ATC) and physical therapist (PT, DPT)

• Master's degree in sports science and master's in physical therapy, plus doctorate in physical therapy

• President, CEO, and Founder of JAG Physical Therapy (John Anthony Gallucci = JAG)

[00:08:11] Most Rewarding Case: From "Never Walk Again" to Dancing

• Woman hit by a taxi cab in New York City

• Physicians told her she would never walk again without an assisted device

• John calls this "probably one of the most proudest moments in my professional career"

[00:11:05] Growth Strategy: Patients as Best Marketers

• 80% of growth in just the last two years came from former patients opening doors

• Patients have spoken to insurance groups, doctors, and healthcare systems to bring JAG into their communities

• Vision: "My goal is the people that need us have access to us"

[00:12:37] Teaching the Next Generation: Network = Net Worth

• "Your personal network helps you grow your professional network"

• As professional network grows, it creates more opportunities personally AND professionally

• Importance of being ingrained in the community while building personal and professional networks

[00:13:53] The Million Dollar Question: A Life-Changing Mentor

Who Changed Everything: Rich Giardano

[00:14:00] Pivotal Person: Rich Giardano - The 40-Year Mentor

• Has been John's mentor since age 16 (John is now 58)

• Known Rich his whole life, but formal mentorship began in high school

• Rich is a physical therapist in sports medicine who worked for the New York Rangers and owned his own practice

[00:17:12] The Impact of Mentorship: Building JAG on Rich's Principles

• Within six months of opening JAG Physical Therapy, they were almost out of business

• Rich sat down with John and reminded him: "You've got this network of people from being in different worlds of pro sports and collegiate sports. You've gotta be able to use that network to foster growth."

• Within 18 months, they made their first profit (John's wife Dawn was grateful they didn't lose their home!)

[00:19:52] Personal Life: 40 Years Together

Family Foundation:

• Married to Dawn for 35 years this December (together for 40 years total)

• Known each other since age 9, dating since age 18

• Two children: Stephanie and Charles

[00:22:41] Advice: Enjoy the Ride

John's Best Advice: "No matter what you're building, enjoy the ride. Sometimes you get caught up in it. You gotta enjoy your wins. Everybody has losses. You gotta be able to get back up and fight for the win."

Taking moments to sit back and say "wow" about the journey: from 1,800 square feet to 170 locations, from one clinician to 700+ providers.

[00:23:20] The Congressional Moment: Realizing the Impact

Speaking to Congress:

• Invited to Washington DC to speak about provision of physical therapy care

• Topic: Importance of slips and falls prevention for seniors

• Congressional leader's perspective: "John, you've made an impact in one of the biggest markets in the world, not even in the United States"

 

KEY QUOTES

"The day you stop learning is the day you should no longer be working." - Rich Giardano (John's mentor)

"Your personal network helps you grow your professional network. And as your professional network grows, it just gives you more opportunities personally and professionally." - Dr. John Gallucci Jr.

"Enjoy the ride. You gotta enjoy your wins. Everybody has losses. You gotta be able to get back up and fight for the win." - Dr. John Gallucci Jr.

"The best competitors are those that are also making the competition better." - Dr. John Gallucci Jr.

CONNECT WITH DR. JOHN GALLUCCI JR.

🌐 Website: https://www.jagpt.com

📧 Email: [e-mail]

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-a-gallucci-jr-ms-atc-pt-dpt-38b194a (25,000+ connections; reach out for potential synergies, opportunities, jobs, or career direction)

📸 Instagram: @dr.jag.pt (business tips, health insights, networking advice, movement science, cardiac health, branding, and communication skills)

 

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