#58 - How Getting Sued Ignited a PA's Ruthless Rise in Medical-Legal Domination: With Christopher Cannell

Ever wondered how a lawsuit could launch a thriving consulting career? In this episode of Telemedicine Talks, hosts Phoebe Gutierrez and Dr. Leo Damasco sits down with Christopher Cannell, as he shares his path from bedside clinician to nationally recognized medical-legal expert, starting with a malpractice suit he won due to his preparation and poise as a witness. He explains how attorneys seek thorough, credible experts who understand standard of care from multiple angles, and how his diverse experience allows him to opine on cases across specialties. The discussion covers building a consulting business through word-of-mouth, mentoring via his Healthcare Hub community, and teaching as a full-time professor. Chris highlights the value of humility, networking, and learning from mentors; the role of PAs in legal medicine; and upcoming talks on dissecting malpractice cases and AI risks at the AAPA conference. He emphasizes preventing errors through education, creating better systems for patients and providers, and embracing entrepreneurship, offering insights for clinicians eyeing side gigs or career shifts in telemedicine and beyond. Three Actionable Takeaways: Prepare Thoroughly for Legal Roles: Hone expertise through certifications, teaching, and diverse clinical experience; review cases prospectively from all perspectives (provider, nurse, patient) and back opinions with literature, attorneys value professionalism and resilience under scrutiny for repeat business. Build a Consulting Side Gig: Start with word-of-mouth from successful cases; create educational resources like masterclasses or communities (e.g., via Kajabi) to mentor others; network in running groups, professional orgs, or conferences for entrepreneurial advice and humility in learning from mistakes. Mitigate Risks Proactively: Join orgs like PAs in Legal Medicine for standards and support; focus on preventing errors through system improvements and education—explore AI's med-legal implications and aim for work-life balance by dropping to part-time clinical hours while scaling consulting. About the Show: Telemedicine Talks explores the evolving world of digital health, helping physicians navigate new opportunities, regulatory challenges, and career transitions in telemedicine. About the Guest Christopher Cannell is a seasoned physician assistant with over 22 years in emergency medicine, orthopedics, critical care, and internal medicine. A medical-legal expert, he turned a malpractice lawsuit into a consulting career, providing witness services, risk mitigation, and education. As president of PAs in Legal Medicine and a full-time professor, he mentors via his Healthcare Hub community. Email: [email protected] Websites : theapcconsultant.mykajabi.com                     https://www.theapcconsultant.com About the Hosts: Dr. Leo Damasco – Pediatrician and emergency medicine doctor turned telemedicine advocate, helping physicians transition to digital health. Phoebe Gutierrez – Former state regulator turned telehealth executive, specializing in compliance and sustainable virtual care models. Connect with Phoebe Gutierrez:https://www.linkedIn.com/in/pkgutierrez/  [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])       The information provided in Telemedicine Talks is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical, legal, or financial advice. While we discuss best practices, industry trends, and real-world experiences, every situation is unique. Listeners should consult with qualified professionals before making decisions related to telemedicine practice, compliance, contracts, or business operations. The views expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of any organizations they may be affiliated with. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.