My goal is to care for our patients as we would our loved ones: with expertise, compassion, and respect.

I grew up in the Chicago area and graduated from University of Chicago before moving to Boston for medical training at Boston University, followed by residency at Boston Medical Center.

I have been a hospitalist attending physician at South Shore Hospital since 2012. I married in 2006 and have two girls.

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 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.

It is such an honor and privilege to be a physician.  It has been especially gratifying to devote my career to the field of Hospital Medicine, and to work at South Shore Hospital to help serve my community. 

Being hospitalized is often one of the most challenging and frustrating experiences a person can have. As a Hospitalist, what is so rewarding is that I can use my training and abilities to make such difficult times for people more compassionate and less confusing. 

Outside of the hospital, I love spending time with my wife and young son and traveling.  I also love anything to do with the outdoors and enjoy running.