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 guide and empower patients as active participants in their care to promote a healthy lifestyle and prevent disease throughout their lifespan.

As a Primary Care NP, having the ability to form lasting relationships with my patients is what I find especially unique and rewarding. I highly value a holistic approach to patient care, as I believe comprehensive health expands beyond the physical aspects. I want to work together with each patient, since more successful outcomes are achieved through a mutually agreed upon and individualized plan. I like to practice what I preach by living a healthy, active lifestyle outside of work that includes running, yoga, hiking, spending time with family and friends, and traveling.

I care for women throughout their lives—from adolescence through adulthood. I especially enjoy building long-term relationships and being with my patients through each step of their lives. From routine gynecological care to preconception, pregnancy, post-partum and menopause, I am here for my patient throughout her life. I chose OB/GYN as my specialty for the diversity of practice. It involves medical care, surgical care, and delivering babies. 

My parents inspired me—my father was a surgeon and my mother a nurse. I initially wanted to forge a different path and received my bachelor’s degree in Economics. I worked in financial public relations for a short while, but I kept coming back to what really interested me: medicine. I eventually went back to medical school to pursue my true passion. Outside of work, I love being outdoors—hiking, biking, boating, paddle boarding, and snowboarding. I also love to travel and spend time with my family and beloved dog and in quieter times enjoy reading and knitting.

My treatment philosophy is to empower patients to be as healthy as they can be through a holistic approach.

I want to help patients feel the best they can. I believe focusing on nutrition, exercise, sleep hygiene, and doing things that make you happy make a huge difference in people’s health. Listening to what patients have to say is of utmost importance. I have been described as a good listener by some of my patients.

My mission is to make my patients feel more at ease and provide excellent care throughout the perioperative process. 

After college I worked on an ambulance and quickly learned that I enjoyed caring for my patients in acute settings.  Similarly as an anesthesiologist, I like the immediate good I can do for people.  What I enjoy most though, is hopefully making people feel less anxious and more emotionally supported through stressful situations.

My focus is to provide a trusting environment for my patients and promote healthy habits for a high-quality life. 

I have spent the past seven years in acute care. I look forward to building a lasting rapport with my patients: to build relationships with my patients and to have the ability to individualize their care. 

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family and being on the water. When the sun is out, you can find all of us swimming and enjoying time on our boat.