As the Medical Director of Addiction Medicine at South Shore Health, I work to tackle the defining medical challenge of our time: Substance use and alcohol use disorder.

In addition to seeing adult patients at South Shore Hospital, I work with colleagues across South Shore Health to develop and implement a comprehensive addiction medicine treatment program. This program will connect patients with the resources they need to manage substance use disorder, no matter if they come to us through the Emergency Department, primary care, or another setting. Additionally, I serve as Medical Director for Spectrum Health System's opioid treatment program, ATS/detox, CSS, and therapeutic community in Weymouth.

Prior to my work at South Shore Health, I helped launch the Bridge Clinic at Boston Medical Center, which connected patients with treatment options for substance use disorder. I also served as Medical Director for Spectrum Health Systems’ Opioid Treatment Program in Weymouth.

In my spare time, I enjoy baseball, reading fiction, snowboarding, and cooking.

I enjoy getting to know patients and treating the whole person. I focus on preventative care and supporting patients to reach their health goals.   

The doctor-patient relationship is at the center of your health care, and I strive to provide care that is collaborative and inclusive. I have a holistic approach, working with patients to treat the cause of medical problems, and reducing prescription medicines when it is safe to do so.   I am also pro-active, coordinating care and advocating for patients as they navigate the health care system. I enjoy caring for newborns, children, and family members of all ages, as well as helping with stress management and healthy lifestyle changes. 

When not working, I enjoy spending time with my family and my extra-large dog, reading, running, cooking, and playing flute, piano and guitar.  

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.

I have been a vascular surgeon for more than 25 years since completing my training at the then Deaconess Hospital in Boston. A native New Englander, I returned to my home state to practice, and was Chief of Vascular Surgery at Brown/Rhode Island Hospital until I left to join the team at Brigham Vascular Surgery in October 2016. Having led an academic department for many years, I sought to bring that level of experience with state-of-the-art vascular care to the community hospital setting and was recruited specifically to lead the division at South Shore Hospital. Since my arrival, South Shore Health has supported this vision for vascular care, opening a new Endovascular OR Suite for complex aneurysm repair; developing a multidisciplinary limb preservation team together with Podiatry, Plastic Surgery, and the Wound Care Center; and organizing community outreach and education events to allow for screening and prevention of vascular disease.

In my occasional free time, I am an avid boater and the South Shore has proven to be the perfect environment for me to pursue my other passion!

I partner with women to provide education, resources and choices regarding their bodies, healthy pregnancy, labor and birth. It is a privilege to care for women and families and to be present at their birth. Each labor and birth are unique. Even after 33 years as a midwife, I am amazed at the beauty of birth and the strength of women.

I started the first midwifery practice at South Shore Health in 1987 and have enjoyed being director and now co-director of the midwifery group and watching our program grow over the years. Outside of work, I love spending time with my husband and children. I also love running my dog on the beach, paddleboarding and gardening.
 

Before becoming a midwife, I was a labor and delivery nurse at South Shore Hospital for 14 years. Women's health is my passion, and it is a privilege to return as a provider. I am honored to care for women during pregnancy, labor, birth, and throughout the lifespan. My care focuses on a team approach with the patient as the leader. Beyond midwifery, I enjoy hiking and yoga and love being a mom most of all.     

My goal is to help patients and families manage the acute illness that lead to hospitalization and transition to a healthy life outside the hospital environment.

I am passionate about effective management of acute medical issues while providing clear and concise medical information. In addition to clinical practice, I am interested in using technology innovations to improve patient health.

Outside of work, I am an avid SCUBA diver. 

I started practicing primary care at Boston Medical Center in 2001 and was part of the Faculty of Boston University's School of Medicine. In 2010, I transitioned to the Quincy and Braintree area to continue serving as a primary care physician and urgent care provider. I graduated from the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine and completed my residency in Internal Medicine at the Hospital of Saint Raphael/Yale-New Haven Hospital.

My mission is to provide compassionate and effective care to treat patients in critical moments in order to ensure the best possible outcomes through prompt intervention and evidence-based practices.

I completed residency at Boston Medical Center. I believe in providing evidence-based and compassionate care at all times and in honest and open communication with my patients about their condition and treatment. Outside of work, I enjoy rock climbing and spending time outdoors and with my family.