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.

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 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.     

My mission is to teach patients about health prevention and the importance of being proactive and taking active measures to mitigate the risk of future health related problems. 

It is a privilege to be able to be in a career that focuses on health prevention, maintenance, and the treatment of acute and chronic disease processes. I believe that as a nurse anesthetist we should provide our patients with the highest level of care. This care must be individualized and needs to involve the patient as an integral member of the health team. 

When I am not at work, I enjoy spending time with my wife, Ashley, and two boys: Beckham and Preston. We enjoy traveling together and being outside. Besides my family, I enjoy reading, exercising, and playing golf/tennis. 

I have been privileged to provide primary care to patients for 25 years. I started my career in women’s health, then transferred to Affiliated Medical Groups in Quincy. This practice then transitioned to cardiologist Dr. Lisa Antonelli, where I continued my role in providing comprehensive medical care for primary care patients. This practice then joined Dr. Barry Miller’s oncology practice in Quincy, where I continued with my role providing primary care to the adult population. 

In 2008, I decided to join the medical team at South Shore Medical Center, again as a Nurse Practitioner in the primary care role. I feel that I have been fortunate to provide care for many of my very first patients and their families today. 

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my two sons and their families. I also enjoy hiking, kayaking, watercolor painting, and traveling.

I started practicing primary care at Boston Medical Center in 2001 and was part of the Faculty of Boston University's School of Medicine. In 2010, I transitioned to the Quincy and Braintree area to continue serving as a primary care physician and urgent care provider. I graduated from the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine and completed my residency in Internal Medicine at the Hospital of Saint Raphael/Yale-New Haven Hospital.

M. Reza Afrasiabi, MD

My mission is to provide every patient on the acute care surgery and trauma surgery services with the highest quality of care inside and outside of the operating room.

I was raised in Southern California and moved to Boston to complete my undergraduate degree in mathematics at MIT.  After completing general surgery residency in Chicago, I moved back to Boston to complete fellowships in Surgical Critical Care and Acute Care Surgery at the Brigham. I love the outdoors and spend my free time snowboarding and hiking throughout the northeast with my friends and family.

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.