Establishing a good patient-physician relationship is crucial to help provide the best care. I believe in allowing ample time in a visit to listen to my patients' needs and thoroughly explain their diagnosis and treatment plan. Most podiatric issues can be treated with aggressive conservative therapy, although when surgical intervention is necessary, I will communicate that to the patient in a direct and concise manner. 

I chose family medicine so that I could treat a wide spectrum of medical conditions and so that I could treat all ages, including newborns and multiple generations, in one family. This helps me to treat the whole person because knowing a person's social background is essential. I firmly believe that emotional and mental well-being are key factors in maintaining good overall health.

I grew up in Quincy and love living and working near my family and friends. I enjoy spending time at the beach, traveling to exotic places, going out dancing, skiing, cooking/baking, and following Boston sports teams.

I provide comprehensive care to vascular patients. This ranges from the treatment of peripheral arterial disease, venous insufficiency and aneurysms, as well as hemo dialysis access.

I also have advanced wound care certification, as well as a board certification in Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.

It is a privilege to help people and establish long-term relationships with my patients. I believe that everyone's medical care should be individually tailored. We all have unique characteristics that need to be considered when deciding a treatment plan. Communication is paramount. 

I enjoy traveling to difference parts of the country and sampling unique cultures and cuisine. Having grown up in the Boston area, I enjoy watching sports with the local teams, and playing golf.

My philosophy is to develop an ongoing patient-physician relationship focused on comprehensive health care incorporating preventative care, chronic disease management, and treatment of acute illnesses and injuries.

As a family doctor, I am dedicated to treating the whole person. I aim to develop long-term relationships to understand each patient, and to provide continuing health care for the individual and family. I integrate care for patients of all genders and every age from newborns to seniors, and I advocate for the patient in our complex health care system. I have had the fortune to work as a general practitioner in New Zealand which allowed me to gain insight into alternative health care systems and approaches to preventative care and disease management. Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, cooking, and reading.

As a medical student, I was unsure what my clinical focus would be. Once I saw my first delivery, it was clear that this was my future. I started my internship and residency training here in Boston. After moving to California and spending several years practicing there, I knew I wanted to return to Massachusetts. I have been at South Shore Hospital for nearly ten years now and am grateful to work with the women of the South Shore. After many years practicing both Obstetrics and Gynecology, I realized my true love was the Birthing Unit and transitioned to a Laborist position. I am privileged every day to be part of something so amazing and love that I get to share in such an important family experience.

My treatment philosophy and ultimate goal is to collaborate with families to achieve the best birth experience while helping to ensure the wellbeing of mom and baby.

I grew up in Scituate and am a proud graduate of Scituate High School.  After graduating from Harvard-Radcliffe, I continued doing another year of diabetes research at Massachusetts General Hospital, then did two years of breast cancer research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.  I graduated from the Boston University School of Medicine, went to UMass Worcester for residency, graduated from the Harvard School of Public Health, and then went to Brown for residency.  I began working at South Shore Medical Center in 2008.  I especially enjoy seeing patients who knew my father, a police officer in Scituate for 29 years and hearing their stories about him.  I try to motivate, encourage and work with my patients and it is an honor and a privilege to be able to care for them.  Outside of work, I love dancing, playing frisbee, and spending time with my family. 

I care for women throughout their lives—from adolescence through adulthood. I especially enjoy building long-term relationships and being with my patients through each step of their lives. From routine gynecological care to preconception, pregnancy, post-partum and menopause, I am here for my patient throughout her life. I chose OB/GYN as my specialty for the diversity of practice. It involves medical care, surgical care, and delivering babies. 

My parents inspired me—my father was a surgeon and my mother a nurse. I initially wanted to forge a different path and received my bachelor’s degree in Economics. I worked in financial public relations for a short while, but I kept coming back to what really interested me: medicine. I eventually went back to medical school to pursue my true passion. Outside of work, I love being outdoors—hiking, biking, boating, paddle boarding, and snowboarding. I also love to travel and spend time with my family and beloved dog and in quieter times enjoy reading and knitting.

Every patient has unique challenges and circumstance of their disease.  My goal is to provide expert care that is tailored to the patient and their family's needs.  Using advanced and proven minimally invasive techniques such as thoracoscopy, robotic and endolumenal treatments, my goal is to minimize pain and accelerate the recovery process so that patients can return to their normal lives.  For patients with cancer, a thorough workup and expedited care is important in getting treated correctly.  Lung cancer, esophageal cancer, thymomas and mediastinal cancers can be difficult to navigate.  I will shepard patients and families through the tests, consultations, and treatments needed so that patients always know that they are being cared for.  For patients with esophageal conditions such as reflux, hiatal hernias, diverticular disease, achalasia, etc., there are minimally invasive surgical options that can provide excellent symptom relief and improve the quality of their lives.  In addition, I treat the multitude of thoracic diseases including thoracic outlet issues, hyperhydrosis, chest wall disorders such as pectus, metastatic cancer issues, end stage cancer surgical therapy among others. 

William Tollefsen, MD is the EMS and MIH Medical Director for South Shore Health. Dual-boarded in Emergency Medicine and EMS Medicine, Dr. Tollefsen works clinically as an Emergency Physician at South Shore Health in addition to his role as EMS Medical Director.

One of few physicians in the country to receive the prestigious "FAEMS" recognition, Dr. Tollefsen is also the Medical Director for OEMS Region IV, serving 61 cities and towns of the Metro-Boston EMS Council. As the current EMS Medical Director for eight municipal and three private ambulance services on the South Shore, Dr. Tollefsen interacts and provides oversight for over 400 Paramedics.

Dr. Tollefsen graduated from New York Medical College and completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Harvard University, Brigham and Women's, and Massachusetts General Hospital. He completed a fellowship in Emergency Medical Services and Critical Care Transport at the University of Massachusetts, where he worked as an Emergency Physician and Flight Physician for UMASS LifeFlight. He completed an MBA at the Isenberg School of Management at UMASS Amherst, and holds a Master of Medical Science degree from the Boston University School of Medicine.

A former pre-hospital provider, he is actively involved in EMS system design, paramedic education and Critical Care Transport Systems. He works closely with multiple EMS, Fire and Law Enforcement agencies throughout Massachusetts.

His research interests include systems of care, resuscitation, airway management, and paramedic education.

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.