In this month’s Resident Spotlight, we feature Alessandro Colletta, MD, a third-year Internal Medicine resident, originally from San Maurizio D’Opaglio, a small town in northern Italy. He will be one of the chief residents in 2023-2024. We recently caught up with Dr. Colletta to learn more about his clinical and research interests, his involvement in the Diversity Action Council, and more. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. 

What are your clinical and research interests? 
I enjoy every discipline within internal medicine, but I nurture a keen interest in hepatology. I see this interdisciplinary specialty as a field with nuanced physiology and a diverse array of pathologies. UMass Medical Center is one of the largest liver transplant centers in New England. Here, I have had the opportunity to witness firsthand the multidisciplinary nature of transplant hepatology and to appreciate the clinical and social complexity of the patient population we care for. I would like to pursue my gastroenterology fellowship at a large transplant center, and then specialize in transplant hepatology.   

Throughout residency, I have nourished my commitment to clinical and scientific research, and also had the opportunity to join the IM Research Track. This provided me with the mentorship of senior faculty and a core research curriculum which enabled me to efficiently structure my research in hepatology and gastroenterology. Some of my research is centered on the multi-organ system manifestations and hemodynamics of decompensated liver disease. I have also investigated the effect of hepatorenal syndrome on renal outcomes post-liver transplant in patients with acute alcohol-associated hepatitis compared to those with chronic liver disease. Additionally, I am exploring the interplay between heart and liver, and the assessment of diastolic dysfunction via echocardiography to predict post-transplant outcomes.  

I am a member and co-chair of the Diversity Action Council (DAC), which aims to create a safe and innovative environment for residents and faculty to engage in discussions involving race and social justice through teaching and learning. We have launched a journal club committee focused on discussing research articles that are centered on the implications of structural racism on health disparities. Furthermore, we have recently instituted a “Research Hub” that aims to give our residents the opportunity to conduct projects that actively address social barriers to equity in healthcare. We hope that through these initiatives we can promote the core values of inclusivity, diversity, and equity at UMass.  

What makes UMass a great place for your residency? 
UMass is a welcoming institution that provides superb education to trainees, and outstanding, equitable care to its patients. Our institution is also at the forefront of innovative, clinical, and scientific research studies, which makes UMass a stimulating and engaging environment. Particularly, our internal medicine residency is a special place to train. Our program truly feels like a big family where high-quality education and mentorship are supplemented by inclusivity and continuous support.  

Favorite Hobby?
I love sailing, horseback riding, and running outdoors. I am a big soccer aficionado and passionately follow all the major leagues in Europe. I also love cooking Italian cuisine, dancing salsa, and reading poetry and philosophy.   

Favorite thing to do in Worcester/Worcester area?
The outdoor activities are the absolute best. I love going for walks to State parks, kayaking on Lake Quinsigamond, and going to outdoor breweries and music festivals with friends. Boston is also easily reachable, which makes it perfect for a special evening outing or for enjoying a Celtics or Bruins game.