He established the McGovern Allergy Clinic in Houston, Texas, created the Texas Allergy Research Foundation[1] and the John P. McGovern Foundation, and co-founded the American Osler Society.

[7] Then, he served from 1946 to 1948 in the Medical Corps of the United States Army as Captain and as the chief of the paraplegic section.

[7] Next, he served as assistant chief, then chief resident for another year and a half at Children's Hospital in Washington, D.C.[7] In 1951, he was a study of pulmonary pathology at Harvard Medical School and Boston Children's Hospital.

He held 17 professorships, received 29 honorary doctorates, and authored over 250 professional publications and books.

[3] Through the Foundation, McGovern gave millions of dollars to various local and health charities.