Growing up, my mother was a registered nurse and both of my parents were very service-minded. They taught me to give back to the community.

I fell in love with Family Medicine in my first year at Tufts. I became inspired to treat patients on a psychological, cultural, and emotional level, rather than just as a series of physical medical conditions.  

I enjoy traveling. I lived in Scotland for a year during my residency, and I have traveled to Nicaragua several times to work on a variety of global health projects. While there, I learned to speak Spanish and love the opportunity to speak Spanish with patients here at home.

I enjoy cooking and trying foods from all over the world. I like tapping into my creative side as well, enjoying studio art, particularly oil painting and watercolors.

I feel privileged to care for patients from age 18 to 95 and beyond. While I base my practice firmly on research-based evidence, I am aware that much is still unknown in medicine and that guidelines evolve over time. Open communication with my patients helps me respect patients' values and health goals.

Outside of work, you can usually find me exploring the beauty of nature with my four young children.

Having sustained a major trauma or having undergone any kind of surgery (major or minor) can be extremely stressful. I often find myself treating patients and talking with families when they are often feeling at their worst. This is the time when I feel my warm personality and compassion can be the biggest contributors to alleviating some of that stress and anxiety. Outside of my practice, I prefer to spend time with my family enjoying the splendors of the South Shore.

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.