It is such an honor and privilege to be a physician.  It has been especially gratifying to devote my career to the field of Hospital Medicine, and to work at South Shore Hospital to help serve my community. 

Being hospitalized is often one of the most challenging and frustrating experiences a person can have. As a Hospitalist, what is so rewarding is that I can use my training and abilities to make such difficult times for people more compassionate and less confusing. 

Outside of the hospital, I love spending time with my wife and young son and traveling.  I also love anything to do with the outdoors and enjoy running.

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.

I try to have a collaborative approach to disease management and prevention, with an eye towards the most value for the patient's dollar.

I have been lucky enough to be a family physician since 2010. Since then, I have worked to provide cost-effective and compassionate care for my patients. I'm also committed to advocacy for my patients and fellow MD's outside the office, though my role on the Massachusetts Academy of Family Physicians. I enjoy traveling, hiking, gardening, and computer gaming, when my young children allow any of them.

My mission is to treat my patients with compassion and kindness and take the time to know and understand them.

I am certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology and Hematology. I received my BA in Biology at State University of New York at Buffalo and my MD from Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA. I did my residency in Medicine at Lankenau Hospital in Philadelphia, PA and Fellowship in Hematology-Oncology at University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington, CT. I was recognized in Boston Magazine's 2017 Top Doctors list. Outside of work, I enjoy listening to classical music, traveling, running, and bicycling. 

My mission is to relieve pain and suffering by healing patients' wounds as fast as possible.

I have been practicing plastic surgery with an emphasis on complex wounds since 1999.  In addition to providing advanced wound care, surgical treatment and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, I am passionate about educating the next generation of physicians and participating in research that will transform the science of wound care. As the Research Director, I coordinate and lead clinical trials of potential new wound  therapies, providing the opportunity for our patients to participate in their own community.

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. 

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.