Dr. O'Brien is Medical Director of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at South Shore Health. 

As a Maternal-Fetal Medicine physician, I am dedicated to caring for women and families navigating high-risk and medically complex pregnancies with expertise, compassion, and individualized attention. 

I strive to integrate evidence-based medicine with a holistic approach that recognizes the physical, emotional, and social factors that shape each patient’s experience. 

I am also committed to advocating for equitable healthcare and improving access and outcomes for marginalized and underserved communities.

My treatment philosophy is to establish good rapport with patients during their difficult moments, and to focus on shared decision-making while working on treatment plans and management of acute issues.

I have been practicing medicine for more than 20 years now. I like communicating with patients while focusing on their medical issues and helping formulate plans to meet the treatment needs. Apart from medicine, I enjoy spending time with my two boys, cooking and baking. I am an avid nature lover and enjoy hiking. Exploring new places brings me true happiness. Yoga and meditation helps me unwind after hectic days. 

My mission is to teach patients how better health habits can prevent many diseases.  

It is a privilege to help people and establish long-term relationships with my patients. I believe that everyone's medical care should be individually tailored. We all have unique characteristics that need to be considered when deciding a treatment plan. Communication is paramount. Outside of work, I love rock climbing and surfing; however, most importantly I love spending time with my family.

I enjoy getting to know patients and treating the whole person. I focus on preventative care and supporting patients to reach their health goals.   

The doctor-patient relationship is at the center of your health care, and I strive to provide care that is collaborative and inclusive. I have a holistic approach, working with patients to treat the cause of medical problems, and reducing prescription medicines when it is safe to do so.   I am also pro-active, coordinating care and advocating for patients as they navigate the health care system. I enjoy caring for newborns, children, and family members of all ages, as well as helping with stress management and healthy lifestyle changes. 

When not working, I enjoy spending time with my family and my extra-large dog, reading, running, cooking, and playing flute, piano and guitar.  

My goal is to educate, support, and empower women to make choices about their health that they feel good!

I believe in providing women with education and options that empower them to make healthy decisions that contribute to better health for themselves and their families. I see the importance and benefit in a model of shared decision making. When I'm not midwifing it up I like to write, read, run, bake and hang with my kids and husband!

I also blog for South Shore Health. Check out my blog posts!

In my career as an emergency physician, I have gotten to take care of patients in both the usual emergency department setting as well as some other unusual environment. Regardless of the location, one thing remains the same - it is about the patient and the care they need at a time of medical crisis. I spend most of my time outside of work, still engaged in medicine with a variety of emergency response organizations as well as the military.

I feel privileged to care for patients from age 18 to 95 and beyond. While I base my practice firmly on research-based evidence, I am aware that much is still unknown in medicine and that guidelines evolve over time. Open communication with my patients helps me respect patients' values and health goals.

Outside of work, you can usually find me exploring the beauty of nature with my four young children.

My mission is to provide unbiased care to all individuals I encounter in my practice.

It gives me great pleasure to care for individuals in what may be some of the happiest and most vulnerable moments of their lives. I am passionate about getting to know patients and their families as we create partnerships to help them navigate their pregnancy and birth journey. It is my goal to help empower patients to make informed decisions about their pregnancy, health, and birth by providing them with knowledge and guidance.

Outside of work, I love spending time with my husband and children. My hobbies include refinishing furniture and woodworking.

Dr. Christopher Cannell is a doctoral-trained Physician Associate with over 22 years of multidisciplinary clinical experience in Emergency Medicine (CAQ-EM), Orthopedics, Critical Care, and Internal Medicine. He is nationally recognized for his leadership and expertise in healthcare quality, patient safety, and risk mitigation.  He is a frequent invited speaker on Provider Clinical Risk Management and a blogger for medical liability companies on these critical topics.

Dr. Cannell is a successful entrepreneur leading a six-figure consulting firm where he also trains and encourages other healthcare provider entrepreneurs to explore their passions, niches, and grow their own business.

Dr. Cannell has held key leadership positions including current President of PAs in Legal Medicine, Board of Directors for the Academy of Doctoral PAs and previously with Massachusetts Association of PAs, and Board Advisor for the SCUHS Doctor of Medical Science program. He has led clinical teams as an APC Director, Department Lead, healthcare system, program manager and thought leader and Chair of APC career letter committee, driving innovation in quality improvement, documentation, onboarding, population management, operations, and value-based care initiatives across health systems.  Created POCUS acute care program for PAs and NPs at the largest community hospital in Massachusetts in alignment with the department ultrasound director. 

Dr. Cannell is an experienced medical professional legal consultant (MPLC) and expert witness, certified through Auburn University and The Center for Legal Studies. He has over 8 years of experience providing expert witness and consulting services focused on clinical risk assessment, discovery, and standard of care.  His collaborative consulting work spans clinicians, legal teams, malpractice insurance consultants, executives, AI technology, and life sciences organizations.

A dedicated educator and mentor, Dr. Cannell serves as Assistant Professor Doctor of Medical Science Program at The University of Lynchburg, current adjunct faculty for the Doctor of Medical Science Program at Marshall B. Ketchum University and also previously with South College (Healthcare Law & Policy), and currently for Northeastern University School of Medical Sciences PA Program, and the Tufts School of Medicine PA Program. He is a subject matter expert in generative AI development, educational consulting for early career and transitional career NPs and PA’s, and interprofessional collaboration to advance the Quadruple Aim.

Dr. Cannell completed leadership training in Just Culture, High Reliability, as well as patient safety through the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI). He earned his DMSc from the University of Lynchburg, MPAS from MCPHS–Boston, and BA in Pre-Medical Studies and Psychology from Muhlenberg College. He has done additional leadership training from AAPA from The Center for Healthcare Leadership and Management.