After 25 Years, Still a ‘Dream Job’ for Alison Gustafson, MD
In May 2000, anesthesiologist Alison Gustafson, MD returned home to the South Shore to continue her career after several years in Boston.
Gustafson, a Hingham native, was joining an organization that looked very different from the South Shore Health we know today.
“When I started, we were in an eight-room operating room at South Shore Hospital,” she said. “I’ve been here for nearly 25 years and so much has changed.”
Today, Gustafson is Interim Chair of the Department of Anesthesia and has been a part of South Shore Health’s evolution from a community hospital to a leading regional health system.
Through all the changes, Gustafson has remained committed to what drew her to South Shore Health in the first place: a desire to care for her community.
“I grew up on the South Shore,” she said. “This was always my dream job…and then it happened.”
Anesthesia across South Shore Health
As Interim Chair, Gustafson oversees a department of more than three dozen anesthesia caregivers, including anesthesiologists, certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), and anesthesia techs.
“There’s a lot of expertise in the department,” she said. “We have colleagues who are ICU trained, cardiac trained, pediatric trained…the team really could take care of just about anybody.”
Gustafson’s team has a strong presence on South Shore Hospital’s Birthing Unit and in the operating rooms at South Shore Hospital and the Outpatient Surgical Center at 2 Pond Park Drive in Hingham.
However, the anesthesia team also cares for patients in a number of other settings across South Shore Health.
“There’s been a big increase for us in what we call NORA, or non-operating room anesthesia, for things like endoscopies and interventional radiology,” Gustafson explained. “We’re also in the Cardiac Catheterization Lab almost every day for anything from cardioversions to transesophageal echocardiograms, or to help with a particularly sick patient.”
With increased demand for anesthesia services, a key part of Gustafson’s role as Interim Chair is to ensure the anesthesia team is staffed and available to respond to patient needs as they arise.
“We may get called for a trauma, so someone runs down there,” she explained. “Then while they’re gone, we get a call from the Birthing Unit, and then the Cath Lab calls needing assistance with a patient.”
“It’s almost like a game of Tetris, trying to find the availability to do everything that needs to be done,” she continued. “But the focus is on keeping patients safe, because that’s the most important thing.”
Stepping in as Chair during a time of need
Summer of 2024 was a busy time across South Shore Health, with elevated patient volume due to a variety of regional factors.
In July, the Department of Anesthesia needed an Interim Chair – and Gustafson stepped in.
“Alison stepped up to the plate to lead our group,” said anesthesiologist Taylor Micheroni, MD. “She is an incredible advocate for our department and has been a huge asset, coming in to lead us when we needed her.”
In her role as Interim Chair, Gustafson mixes administrative and leadership duties with clinical work.
“I still care for patients in the clinical setting, but I also serve on several committees, including the Medical Executive Committee*,” she said. “I’m involved in overseeing our budget and staffing, and I also play a role in recruiting and retention within the department.”
*The Medical Executive Committee is South Shore Health’s medical governing body.
As a leader, Gustafson makes sure her team knows she’s ready to provide guidance or answers as needed.
“I want to be approachable,” she said. “I have an open-door policy, so I’m always available. People know they can text me or call me at any time. I always tell the newer members of the department ‘call me in the middle of the night with any questions.’ I’m there for support.”
Gustafson embraces an inclusive approach to leadership, encouraging input from all members of her team.
“I think of it as a kind of democracy,” she said. “I want to hear people’s input on how we can make the department better or how we can make patient care better. If something doesn’t work, let’s change it. Nothing has to be written in stone.”
That collaborative spirit goes beyond the Department of Anesthesia as well, helping Gustafson’s team foster strong relationships with other caregivers across South Shore Health.
“This is a team sport,” she said. “It’s not anesthesia in one silo, surgery in another silo, and nursing in another. We’re all in the same room taking care of one patient.”
Gustafson’s approach is working, with her anesthesia colleagues appreciating her willingness to be a resource and to speak up on behalf of the team.
“Alison always goes above and beyond, leading by example,” said anesthesiologist Robert Sherburne, MD, MPH. “She’s truly a wonderful mentor, leader, and friend. I couldn’t ask for a better chair.”
“Alison brings years of experience to her position as Interim Chair,” said anesthesiologist Mekhala Stephen, MD. “She renders stability and expertise at a time of transition and expansion of the Anesthesia Department.”
“Her familiarity and rapport with the local community are invaluable,” Stephen added. “We’re lucky to have her leadership.”
Surgical expertise in a community setting
When Gustafson started her South Shore Health career in 2000, she joined shortly before a project to add new operating rooms to South Shore Hospital began.
In the years since, the amount of operating room space across South Shore Health has more than doubled and Gustafson has seen the surgical platform become more robust.
“The growth of Department of Surgery has been incredible,” she said. “Trauma, bariatrics, obstetrics…being a part of it has been very exciting.”
“There are very few things we can’t do here,” she added. “We’re able to take care of most platforms or surgical specialties here, for the community – so you don’t have to go into Boston.”
The expansion of surgical services over the last several years has made things more convenient for patients across the South Shore, giving them the option to receive all of the care they need in one place.
“You could have your baby here, and then your baby may need ear tubes, which they can also get here,” Gustafson said. “We have robotic surgery, orthopedic surgery…really, the whole span of a lifetime of care, you can get right here.”
A personal approach, close to home
As an anesthesiologist, Gustafson cares for patients during what can be vulnerable moments.
She takes pride in being a source of comfort for patients before, during, or after a procedure.
“With anesthesia, you have a very short time to put the patient at ease and make sure that they feel safe,” she said. “We don’t have a lot of time with patients, but when you recognize someone or they recognize you, it’s a good feeling.”
Gustafson, who grew up and still lives on the South Shore, believes that the community-focused care offered at South Shore Health is a boost for patients.
“It’s a bit more personal,” she said. “I think for some patients, the idea that there’s a friendly face they know, someone who will come by and smile at them or say ‘hi’ makes a difference.”
After 25 years, Gustafson has a deep knowledge of the level of care South Shore Health offers to the community – care that Gustafson trusts for her own family as well.
“I had my kids here, all of our care is here,” she said. “If a family member needs care, I know they’re in good hands because we have a great team.”
