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 goal is to help empower women and families and encourage them to be active participants in their care. 

I became familiar with midwifery care 20 years ago when I gave birth to my daughter with a group of amazing midwives. I was an experienced Labor and Delivery nurse at the time but, after my experience with the midwives, I knew that becoming a midwife was my true calling. I find every birth that I attend to be unique and special in its own way. I strive to help women achieve the labor and birth they desire. Everyone is different, and I enjoy getting to know families and helping them navigate this very pivotal time in their lives. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, paddleboarding, and crocheting.

My goal as a physician is to help patients learn about the importance of following preventative measurements and living a well-balanced life to tackle many diseases before they become debilitating illnesses.

I am excited to be part of the South Shore Hospital Medicine team. I believe patient education and communication are the key components to provide the best possible care to all my patients. My training has helped me master the skills to provide evidence-based, culturally competent, and patient centered care to all my patients. It is my honor to be able to provide you the needed medical care while you are admitted to the South Shore Hospital.

Outside of work, I love hiking, painting, and exploring different places.

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.