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 strive to build a space where patients feel safe to discuss their health concerns and engage in shared decision-making.

Prior to joining South Shore Health, I had the privilege to train at UMass Family Medicine Residency and complete an additional year of fellowship to also care for patients living with HIV/viral hepatitis at the Family Health Center of Worcester.

Outside of work, I love spending time with my family, running, gardening, and camping/hiking.

I strive to educate patients about their health conditions in order to best include them as part of the treatment team.

Brendan has spent a large portion of his career practicing in Primary Care following graduation from MCPHS University in 2014.  Having grown up in Massachusetts, as well as living and working in Southeastern Mass he has formed close relationships with his patients as they are frequently his neighbors, mechanics, former teachers and the like. From these relationships, he has learned the importance of community as part of a medical treatment plan, and this has now become an important aspect to the way he practices medicine. He is very excited to extend his medical career into the South Shore Health Community. 

I joined the South Shore Hospital medical staff in 2014.  With lifelong ties to the South Shore community, I know the community well and highly value informed and timely communication among medical specialists and primary care to promote and expedite the care of my patients.

In addition to treating patients, I also teach resident doctors in training and volunteer my time with the Podiatry profession's state society.  Ensuring the growth and future of Podiatry, in a complex world of health care, are critical to meet the needs of our population.

My personal philosophy in nursing and working in healthcare aligns with a profound quote from the book of Galatians, chapter 6 and verse 9, which says, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (KJV, 1911).  This embodies the accountability, professionalism, compassion, and perseverance that I have personified in my nursing career. My Christian faith has led me in the paths of what is right and good in this world, giving me the vocation of being a healthcare provider to prove that faith through actions of kindness and care towards others.

I have dedicated my career in healthcare to the goal of improving health literacy for patients and their caregivers. I truly believe that a better understanding of health care issues, disease prevention and disease care by patients and their caregivers has a direct impact on their quality of life. I work hard to actively listen to the concerns, obstacles, and barriers my patients present and collaborate with them to prepare a plan of care.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family and pets, am very active in supporting my church, and love to cook.

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 focus is to provide patients with knowledge and insight into their specific health conditions.

I pride myself on taking a patient-centered approach to building effective care plans that go beyond the diagnosis of my patients. I am a certified Physician's Assistant who graduated from MCPHS University, Boston with a Master's of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS.) My previous experience is in primary care and outpatient cardiology. 

Originally from Western Massachusetts, I moved to the South Shore after graduation. I enjoy spending time with my friends, family, and puppy, Oakes. I am also an avid reader and beach-goer. 

Before becoming a midwife, I was a labor and delivery nurse at South Shore Hospital for 14 years. Women's health is my passion, and it is a privilege to return as a provider. I am honored to care for women during pregnancy, labor, birth, and throughout the lifespan. My care focuses on a team approach with the patient as the leader. Beyond midwifery, I enjoy hiking and yoga and love being a mom most of all.     

I look forward to helping patients and members of our community navigate unexpected and stressful health events with extra attention to the patient and their most immediate loved ones, family, and friends. 

I look forward to providing care and service to the community that my wife and I have called home since 2010. We have two beautiful children who lovingly occupy the majority of our free time when not providing healthcare at South Shore Health.