Mr. Christopher P. Forest, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA

Physician Assistant

558 Abbott St STE A Salinas CA, 93901 Show map

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About

Christopher Forest, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA, is a licensed primary care physician assistant (PA) at Doctors on Duty Urgent Care in Salinas, CA. He has 40 years of patient-care experience as a board-certified PA, whose focus has been on addressing the healthcare needs of underserved communities. In addition to his clinical work, he serves as a full professor in the Master of Science in PA Studies program at Dominican University of California, where he takes pride in mentoring future healthcare providers.

He earned his PA certification in 1983 and received a Doctoral degree in Health Science in 2019. As a PA, he is licensed to conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret diagnostic tests, prescribe medication, and perform surgical procedures. Throughout his career, he has embraced a team-based approach to medicine, collaborating with physicians under signed practice agreements.

Born and raised in a low-income Latino household in Los Angeles, he grew up speaking Spanish and developed a deep appreciation for his cultural roots. His parents instilled in him a deep respect for his community and a commitment to helping others. He graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a bachelor’s degree in biology in 1977 and from the USC Primary Care Physician Assistant program in 1983.

He began his medical career in primary care in Pacoima and East Los Angeles, serving underserved Latino communities. Over time, his medical expertise expanded to include pediatrics, internal medicine, urology, and urgent care. His dedication to equitable healthcare access and his cultural competence made him a trusted provider in these communities.

In 2007, he transitioned to academia, joining the USC PA program as a full-time faculty member. A decade later, he accepted a leadership role as the founding program director of the California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) PA program. Driven by his passion for addressing healthcare disparities, he designed the program to train students from disadvantaged backgrounds to provide culturally competent care to the Latino and underserved populations in the Salinas Valley.

Christopher Forest’s influence extends beyond the classroom and clinic. He is a respected speaker and educator, teaching medical topics at both state and national levels. Despite his busy schedule, he continues to provide compassionate, high-quality patient care while inspiring the next generation of healthcare providers to do the same.

Education and Training

Health Science Education Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida Doctor of Health Science 2019

Health Care Management Touro University International, Cypress, California Master of Science in Health Sciences (MSHS) 2004

Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, California Bachelor of Science – Premedical Biology 1977

University of Southern California Physician Assistant Studies 1983

Provider Details

Male Spanish

Mr. Christopher P. Forest, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA

Mr. Christopher P. Forest, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA's Expert Contributions

My Answers

What are the potential causes of neck pain and stiffness, and how can you provide relief?
Treatment for neck pain depends on the cause. We first need to know whether the pain is acute (new) or chronic, the patient’s age, history of trauma, the severity, and if there are any underlying medical illnesses. For most healthy individuals, neck pain is often due to muscle strain and can be simply managed with over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, along with warm compresses. If the pain is more severe, muscle relaxants may be prescribed. Physical therapy and mobility exercises can be helpful for chronic pain, and some people respond very well to chiropractic treatments or acupuncture. If the pain is severe or persistent, further evaluation with imaging tests like X-rays or an MRI may be necessary. There are many other potential causes of neck pain, so a comprehensive medical evaluation may be needed. Some other causes include tension headaches, migraines, a pinched nerve, degenerative disc disease often from arthritis, fibromyalgia, cardiac conditions, infections such as meningitis or dental infections, and tumors affecting the neck or spine. If your neck pain is severe, worsening, or not improving, seek a medical evaluation to determine the underlying cause and most appropriate treatment. READ MORE

Expert Publications

Data provided by the National Library of Medicine

A family outbreak of Salmonella thompson infection.

Areas of expertise and specialization

Urgent CareOccupational MedicinePrimary CareFamily MedicinePediatricsUrology

Faculty Titles & Positions

Tenured Full Professor Dominican University of California, San Rafael, California 2024 - Present
Tenured Full Professor & Founding Program Director California State University, Monterey Bay, Master of Science PA Program, Salinas, California 2017 - 2024
Assistant Professor of Clinical Family Medicine Keck School of Medicine USC Primary Care PA Program, Los Angeles, California 2007 - 2017
Clinical Instructor, Voluntary Faculty Keck School of Medicine USC Primary Care PA Program, Los Angeles, California 1990 - 2007
Clinical Physician Assistant, Urgent Care Doctors on Duty / Cypress-SVMH, Salinas, California 2024 - Present
Clinical Physician Assistant, Urgent Care Clínica de 24 Horas, Van Nuys and North Hollywood, California 2006 - 2017
Clinical Physician Assistant, Pediatrics and Family Medicine Family Medicine Medical Group, Canoga Park and Pacoima, California 2006 - 2010
Director of Medical Sciences Insyght Inc, Beverly Hills, California 2004 - 2006
Director of Clinical Trials, Urology Harin Padma-Nathan, MD, The Male Clinic, Beverly Hills, California 1996 - 2006
Clinical and Surgical Physician Assistant, Urology North Valley Urological Medical Group, Van Nuys, California 1987 - 1996
Clinical Physician Assistant, Family Medicine California Primary Physicians, Los Angeles, California 1985 - 1987
Clinical Physician Assistant, Family Medicine Clínica Pelé, Pacoima and East Los Angeles, California 1983 - 1985

Awards

Emeritus Faculty at USC 2017 University of Southern California
Distinguished Fellow Award (DFAAPA) 2008 American Academy of Physician Associates
Alpha Eta National Graduate Honor Society 2015 Nova Southeastern University Doctoral Program
Pi Alpha National Honor Society/Faculty 2019 Physician Associate Education Association

Professional Memberships

Physician Associate Education Association
American Academy of Physician Associates
California Academy of Physician Associates
Physician Associates for Latino Health
Society of Teachers of Family Medicine

Charities and Philanthropic Endeavors

Dorothy's Kitchen/Franciscan Workers, Salinas, CA
Medical Mission work in Nicaragua and Honduras
Doctors Without Borders

Professional Society Memberships

Physician Associate Education Association, American Academy of Physician Associates, California Academy of Physician Associates, Physician Associates for Latino Health

Articles and Publications

Published 40 peer-reviewed journal articles, two chapters in Ballwegs Physician Assistant textbook, and two chapters in 101 Primary Care Case Studies,Link to highlighted publications: https://works.bepress.com/christopher-forest/

What do you attribute your success to?

What made me successful is my dedication to making a difference in this world. I am deeply committed to providing medical care to those in need and empowering others to do the same. Our clinic welcomes patients from all economic backgrounds, ensuring everyone receives high-quality care regardless of their circumstances.Continuous learning is at the core of my work, enabling me to deliver the best possible care. Teaching also holds a special place in my heart because it multiplies my impact. Its not just about sharing medical knowledge but about inspiring future healthcare providers to form genuine connections with their patientsparticularly those from marginalized or underserved communities. This mission guides everything I do.

Awards

Emeritus faculty, University of Southern California, Distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of Physician Associates (DFAAPA)Alpha Eta National Graduate Honor Society, Pi Alpha National Honor Society,

Teaching and speaking

Christopher Forest is a respected national speaker. He has given over 100 lectures at medical conferences in California and nationally, including invited guest lectures on medical subjects at Stanford University, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Ketchum University, and CSUMB, among others.

Favorite Place to Vacation

Mexico and Central America

Hobbies / Sports

Family activities, acoustic guitar, and photography

Favorite professional publications

JAMA, JABFM, JPAE, JAAPA

Areas of research

Prostate Disorders, Erectile Dysfunction, Interprofessional Team-Based Healthcare

Mr. Christopher P. Forest, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA's Practice location

Doctors on Duty

558 Abbott St STE A -
Salinas, CA 93901

Get Direction

Mon:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Tue:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Wed:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Thu:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Fri:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Sat:Closed
Sun:Closed

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Media Releases

Championing Healthcare Excellence and Empowering Communities Through Decades of Service

Christopher P. Forest, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA, a licensed primary care physician assistant at Doctors on Duty – Urgent Care in Salinas, California, is a beacon of hope and dedication in the healthcare community. With 40 years of patient-care experience, Christopher’s focus has consistently been on addressing the healthcare needs of underserved populations, making him an invaluable asset to the medical field. Beyond his clinical practice, he is a full professor in the Master of Science in PA Studies Program at the Dominican University of California, where he finds fulfillment in mentoring and inspiring the next generation of healthcare providers.

Christopher’s journey began in a low-income Latino household in Los Angeles, where he learned the value of community service and cultural respect from his parents. Graduating from Loyola Marymount University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology in 1977, he continued his education at the University of Southern California, earning his PA certification in 1983. His commitment to lifelong learning culminated in a Doctoral Degree in Health Science from Nova Southeastern University in 2019.

“What made me successful is my dedication to making a difference in this world,” Christopher states. “I am deeply committed to providing medical care to those in need and empowering others to do the same. Our clinic welcomes patients from all economic backgrounds, ensuring everyone receives high-quality care regardless of their circumstances.” His philosophy of care emphasizes continuous learning and the importance of forming genuine connections with patients, particularly those from marginalized communities.

Throughout his esteemed career, Christopher has embraced a team-based approach to medicine. He is licensed to conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret diagnostic tests, prescribe medication, and perform surgical procedures. His extensive experience spans primary care, pediatrics, internal medicine, urology, and urgent care, all while maintaining a focus on equitable healthcare access.

In 2007, Christopher transitioned to academia to share his knowledge and experiences with future healthcare providers. He joined the USC PA program as a full-time faculty member and later became the founding program director of the California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) PA program. Designed with a vision to train students from disadvantaged backgrounds, the program emphasized culturally competent care tailored to the Latino and underserved populations in the Salinas Valley. In 2024, he accepted an appointment as a tenured professor at the Dominican University of California, a minority-serving institution, training the next generation of physician assistants.

His contributions to the profession, extensive patient care, research, and teaching experience earned him national recognition and the title of Distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of Physician Associates (DFAAPA). Christopher is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Physician Associate Education Association, the California Academy of Physician Associates, the Physician Associates for Latino Health, and the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine. His influence extends beyond the classroom and clinic; he is a respected speaker and educator on medical topics at both state and national levels.

Christopher has contributed significantly to medical literature, with 40 peer-reviewed journal articles and chapters in prominent medical textbooks. His work not only informs but inspires healthcare professionals across the country.

Despite his busy schedule, Christopher remains dedicated to patient care and mentoring future healthcare providers. “Teaching holds a special place in my heart because it multiplies my impact,” he explains. “It’s not just about sharing medical knowledge, but about inspiring future healthcare providers to form genuine connections with their patients.”

Outside of his professional life, Christopher enjoys vacationing in Mexico and Central America, engaging in family activities with his wife, playing acoustic guitar, and exploring photography. His favorite professional publications include JAMA, JABFM, JPAE, and JAAPA, which reflect his commitment to staying informed and connected to the latest advancements in the medical field.

Christopher P. Forest’s remarkable journey is a testament to the impact one individual can make in the lives of many. His unwavering commitment to healthcare excellence and community empowerment continues to inspire those around him, shaping the future of healthcare one patient and one student at a time.