In this month’s Resident Spotlight, we highlight Philip McNamara, MD, a third-year, categorical Internal Medicine Resident. Here, Dr. McNamara describes his clinical and research interests, what makes UMass Chan a great place for residency, and his favorite outdoor activities. 

Hometown?
Bolton, MA 

What are your clinical and research interests?
I am delighted to say that I will be staying at UMass Chan as a Gastroenterology fellow next year! Throughout medical school and residency, I worked on a few research projects within the GI division, including several case series on novel procedures and technologies within the field of advanced endoscopy (e.g., the use of an “endoFLIP” device to study disorders of esophageal motility, or vascular plugs to treat chronic fistulae). These projects, and the mentorship I received in working on them, greatly influenced my interest in this field.    

Are you involved in any other groups or activities at UMass Chan that you’d like to highlight? 
While not officially affiliated with UMass Chan, I play on an ice hockey team made up of UMass students, residents, and attendings in a recreational league in Marlborough, MA. I have played on this team for the past seven years and highly recommend it to any hockey players in our community. It’s a phenomenal way to decompress, exercise, and get to know your colleagues outside the hospital.  

What makes UMass Chan a great place for your residency?
It may be cliché to say that “the people” make an institution great, but that doesn’t make it wrong. I truly appreciate the relationships I formed with my co-residents, fellows, faculty, and mentors here at UMass Chan, without whom my experience of residency would have been very different.  

Favorite hobbies?
Day to day, I like to cook (with variable success). When time permits, I really enjoy outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, etc. Additionally, I am always game for pickup sports.  

Favorite thing to do in Worcester/Worcester area?
There is a dive bar on Suffolk Street called Vincent’s – it’s quintessentially local and sort of dingy – but going there on a summer night for a meatball sandwich and some live music is pretty hard to beat.