Dr. Octavia Cannon

Dr. Octavia Cannon, a board-certified physician, is co-owner of Arboretum Obstetrics and Gynecology, the lone private practice in Charlotte, North Carolina, with only female physicians. Prior to joining the practice in 2005, Dr. Cannon served as the director of Women's Health at Gaston County Health Department. She is an honors graduate and active alumnus of Johnson C. Smith University, where she was a Duke Endowment and UNCF scholar.

She was named Alumnae of the Year at the University's Arch of Triumph Gala in 2018. Dr. Cannon earned her medical degree at Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Florida. A native of Michigan, she pursued her residency training at St. John/Detroit Riverview Hospitals. Dr. Cannon continues her mission of public service and health education via leadership roles on local and national levels. She was the first African American President of the American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians and Gynecologists in 2018/2019.

She is a member of the American Osteopathic Association Media Relations Committee and enjoys contributing to health-related articles in many national media publications and television appearances. She was featured in a 2017 Sun Coast Emmy Award-winning PBS documentary highlighting the history of women in osteopathic medicine titled, "The Feminine Touch."

Dr. Cannon also served on the Board of Directors for Florence Crittenton Services, which is committed to assisting pregnant/at-risk young women support their families. She was a charter member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Women's Preventive Services Initiative. Recently, she was appointed to the ACOG task force on Pregnancy and Heart Disease. She also enjoys her membership in the Crown Jewels Chapter of the Links, Incorporated, the Junior League of Charlotte and the Alpha Lambda Omega graduate chapter of The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.