I grew up in a small town in Northern New York, and joined South Shore Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital in 2012. I completed my undergraduate and medical education as well as my general surgical training and surgical critical care fellowship at the University of Rochester in Rochester, NY. I am also fellowship trained in minimally invasive and bariatric surgery from Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. I have had a long-standing passion in bariatric and weight-loss surgery and my goal in joining the South Shore Hospital team was to bring that expertise and opportunity to the South Shore community. The hospital has been very supportive in this endeavor and over the past few years we have created a collaborative team of providers from across institutions to start the South Shore Hospital Center for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. As medical director it has been my pleasure to help the program grow into a strong clinical component  of the department of surgery and create more outreach into the community. I am also actively engaged as a trauma surgeon and have a busy general surgery practice taking care of a variety of disease processes including the minimally invasive management of gallbladder disease, hernia, GERD, hiatal hernias, as well as the surgical management of a variety of other gastrointestinal disorders. When I am not working, I enjoy the simple things in life like relaxing by a large campfire or spending the day at the beach with my family. 

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.

My treatment philosophy is to provide high quality, compassionate, and patient centered care.

Throughout my career at BU Medical Center and South Shore Health, I have divided my time between healthcare administration and direct patient care. Administratively, I have focused on medical education, patient safety and quality improvement. However, my true passion for medicine is driven by the bonds I build with my patients and caring for them throughout life. 

My treatment approach is centered around empowering individuals to take control of their own well-being. My focus is on providing a safe and supportive environment for my patients, enhance their self-awareness. My goal is to work collaboratively with patients to develop personalized treatment plans that address their unique  needs and goals.

I graduated from medical school in Eastern Europe. My OBGYN residency training took place in NYC at Maimonides medical Center. Outside of work, I love swimming and biking ; however, most importantly I love spending time with my family.

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. 

My mission is to teach patients how better health habits can prevent many diseases.

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. Outside of work, I love exercising, working in my garden, and spending time at the Cape; however, most importantly I love spending time with my family.
 

I joined the South Shore Hospital medical staff in 2014.  With lifelong ties to the South Shore community, I know the community well and highly value informed and timely communication among medical specialists and primary care to promote and expedite the care of my patients.

In addition to treating patients, I also teach resident doctors in training and volunteer my time with the Podiatry profession's state society.  Ensuring the growth and future of Podiatry, in a complex world of health care, are critical to meet the needs of our population.

My philosophy is to listen carefully, ask the right questions, and offer my expertise within the scope of my skills.

I was born in New York City to immigrant Latino parents. Yes, I root for the Yankees, of course!

Outside of work, I enjoy physical fitness and spending time with my family.