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.

My mission is to care for all patients wisely, fairly, and with respect.  

I work hard to provide the best emergency care to the greatest number of patients, and to treat every patient with the respect and importance that they deserve.

I am a dedicated and patient focused physician with comprehensive experience in hospital settings. I hold a great regard for detail, accuracy and follow through and can make decisions in a fast paced and unpredictable environment. I value communication with patient, their families, my colleagues and support staff to provide very best care for our patients.

My mission is to provide comprehensive care and holistic support to patients throughout their cancer journey.

With over a decade of service in healthcare, I have expertise in clinical practice, research, and patient-centered care. I earned my Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from UMASS Worcester. My experience ranges across inpatient and outpatient settings, including hematology, oncology, clinical research, medical/surgical care, and primary care.  Outside work, I enjoy sailing and spending time with my family including our dog Una. 

It has been my privilege to practice medicine and to have made a difference in the lives of my patients over the past 21 years. I enjoy the challenges of practicing internal medicine in a hospital setting and working as part of a team with our excellent hospitalist providers, consultants, nursing and ancillary staff. I served as Medical Director of the Hospitalist Department from 2009-2015 and am proud to say that we have an amazing program with dedicated clinicians who genuinely enjoy the care of hospitalized patients and are committed to excellence in their every day work. I enjoy giving back by participating in the Pan Mass Challenge which raises critical funds for cancer research and the Multiple Sclerosis cycling events. I enjoy boating, hiking and camping, and long distance bicycling and, most importantly, spending time with my family.

My goal is to provide compassionate and equitable medical care to patients seeking care for breast-related concerns, including but not limited to breast lumps, abnormal screening mammograms, benign breast masses, and previous or current breast cancer diagnoses. 

I am a graduate of the Tufts University School of Medicine Physician Assistant and Masters in Public Health dual degree program. I have been working at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Brigham & Women’s Hospital Division of Breast Surgery since June 2021.

It is my priority to provide care to patients that is skilled and supportive. I strive to accommodate a patient’s unique and individual needs such that all patients feel cared for and well-informed. I have professional interests in patient-oriented outcomes research and have studied coping and psychosocial wellbeing among adolescents and young adults with cancer. I am originally from Western Massachusetts, and my hobbies include hiking, skiing, and spending with family, friends, and my dog.