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 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.
 

My career started in the US Army and it was a privilege to serve and care for women in the military and their family members while training at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and then stationed overseas in Germany for 4 years. I returned to the South Shore area since this is home and have been been fortunate to raise my family and to practice here since 2002. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to care for the women in our community. Although I transitioned to a more administrative role, I continue to practice obstetrics and gynecology here in the hospital and will continue to strive to offer the best care to patients through open communication and strong relationships.

My goal is to educate, support, and empower women to make choices about their health that they feel good!

I believe in providing women with education and options that empower them to make healthy decisions that contribute to better health for themselves and their families. I see the importance and benefit in a model of shared decision making. When I'm not midwifing it up I like to write, read, run, bake and hang with my kids and husband!

I also blog for South Shore Health. Check out my blog posts!

I believe in the prevention of disease and the promotion of healthy lifestyles for all children through education and dedication to quality care.

I like to treat each patient and family as individuals. I enjoy earning their trust and getting to know them as well as helping to navigate their child’s successes and challenges. I take pride in making sure we have full and open communication in our visits and your visit never feels rushed. My mission is to provide our patients with the best and most comprehensive pediatric care possible from birth until 21 years of age. I adhere to the “Golden Rule” in my life and practice which is the principle of treating others as one wants to be treated. Outside of work I enjoy exercising, horse back riding, and spending time with my family. I am an avid animal lover and we have many animals in our 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.

I have been providing medical and surgical foot and ankle care to the greater South Shore community since 1996. I first joined the medical staff of South Shore Hospital in 1997 and have been working with South Shore Medical Center since 2004. Some of my clinical interests include Podiatric Surgery and Sports Medicine of the foot and ankle.

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. 

I grew up on the South Shore and attended Holy Cross for college where my concentration was pre-medical sciences and sleep research. During summers in college I worked as an EMT and following college I worked in a collaborative Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School lab studying allergy and asthma. While at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and Lahey Clinic my focus was on primary care internal medicine. In 2006 I was the recipient of the “Patient Care Award” which is Lahey Clinic’s highest physician honor. I joined South Shore Medical Center in 2006.

My philosophy is to provide quality evidence-based women’s healthcare in a setting that fosters mutual respect, shared decision-making and empathy.

At our office visit(s) I will focus on understanding your concerns and work with you to develop a diagnosis and management plan that is evidence-based yet tailored to your needs. You should expect to be treated with kindness, respect and privacy that everyone deserves.  I value your trust and understand that this must be earned.

My ideal day off would include spending time with my family, a good cup of coffee and mountain biking through the woods.  Sitting down for a few minutes to play the piano or guitar brings me joy.   We enjoy weekend trips to the Berkshires, NH and Maine for a change in scenery.