Date published: December 20, 2024
January Fellow Spotlight: Hannah Hamad, MD
In this month’s Fellow Spotlight, we feature Hannah Hamad, MD, an Infectious Diseases fellow at UMass Chan. We recently caught up with Dr. Hamad to learn more about her clinical and research interests, why she chose UMass Chan for her fellowship, and why Hawaii is one of her favorite places to travel!
Hometown?
Belmont and Cambridge, MA.
What are your clinical and research interests?
Transplant infectious disease and critical care. Lately, I find myself exploring disseminated fungal infections in those with severe immunosuppression from both chemotherapy for malignancy and for solid organ transplants on antirejection regimen. I am starting to work on an in vitro project in the Lazare building to characterize the growth characteristics and requirements of different cryptococcal strains harvested from recent patients.
Why did you choose UMass Chan for your fellowship?
I chose UMass Chan for my fellowship because having attended both medical school and residency here, I have firsthand knowledge that our institution has managed to cultivate the ideal balance of exceptional clinical skills, authenticity, and personal integrity. Over the years, I have accumulated many wonderful friendships in this area that are more like an ancillary family.
Are you involved in any other groups or activities at UMass Chan that you’d like to highlight?
As a medical student at UMass Chan, I took the Medical Spanish Elective, and learning Spanish continues to be a passion of mine, as I plan to travel to Bolivia and Peru for fellowship activities in 2026. Outside of UMass but in Worcester, I have been meditating at the local Boundless Way Zen temple since 2018 and teaching woodturning classes at Technocopia since 2022.
Where is your favorite place to travel for vacation and why?
I have recently become hooked on Hawaii after visiting for the CHEST conference in 2023, and am going back this month for more surfing, cliff jumping, climbing, and collecting orchids.
What topping does not belong on pizza?
Meat, because I am passionate about animal rights.
Favorite guilty pleasure snack?
Wasabi Nori because I'm a health nut. In residency, friends could tell I was recently around if they found a full bag of spinach or kale nearby.
What song/artist do you hope comes on first when you press random play on your playlist?
Charlie Parker, as I am currently learning trumpet and he wrote the most profoundly intricate music and revolutionized jazz as a whole. Also, Maynard Ferguson (the song Ole is my favorite) because he inspires me to push the physical limits of trumpet.