I grew up in southern Maine and attended Harvard University for my undergraduate education. While at Tufts University School of Medicine and Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, my focus was on primary care medicine. I believe in the dignity of each of my patients. Respect, compassion, and reliability are among my goals in patient care. In my free time, I enjoy the outdoors and the arts, usually in the company of 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.

It is a privilege to help people,and manage and coordinate exceptional patient care in the hospital. 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 reading and spending time with my family.

My aim is to empower patients with shared, informed decision-making.

I feel grateful to work in medicine every day, and to develop relationships with my patients that empower them to feel informed and comfortable with their treatment plans. I particularly value the importance of taking time to discuss goals of care with my patients. Outside of work, I am an avid reader, and my hobbies include writing, jogging, and spending time with my significant other and out cat, Soot