In this month’s Resident Spotlight, we feature Jason Core, MD, a second-year, categorical, Internal Medicine Resident on the Research Track. We recently caught up with Dr. Core to learn more about his clinical and research interests, what makes UMass Chan a great place for residency, and more!  

Hometown?
Irvine, California  

What are your clinical and research interests?
My clinical and research interests are the prevention of long-term complications of diabetes, optimizing the use of newer antidiabetic agents such as incretin-based therapies, and technologies such as continuous glucose monitoring to improve diabetes management. 

Are you involved in any other groups or activities at UMass Chan that you’d like to highlight?
I am part of the Research Track, which has allowed me to dive deeper into specific areas of medicine and diabetes care which I am passionate about. Being part of something that may shape the practice of medicine at my institution or even beyond adds a sense of purpose to my work. 

What makes UMass Chan a great place for your residency?
I think the mentorship at UMass Chan is top-notch. Overall, the faculty does a great job of creating a friendly and welcoming learning environment for the residents and students. Things can get hectic, but UMass tries to foster a good work-life balance. You can find mentorship and research opportunities to pursue whatever specialty of medicine you are interested in or get strong clinical training to transition seamlessly into a primary care clinic or hospitalist role.   

Favorite hobbies?
Finding new places to eat in and around Worcester with my fiancée, Maggie, spending time with my cats, DJ, Confucius, Kiki, and Binx, creating new smoothie and rice bowl recipes, and free diving in the kelp forests off the coast when back home in California.  

Favorite thing to do in Worcester/Worcester area?
Running along the Rail Trail! 

What is your go-to board game?
Settlers of Catan. I enjoy the concept of gathering resources and building a settlement/civilization, it's relatively simple, doesn't take too long to set up or play, and there's decent enough variety from game to game. 

What was your favorite book as a child?
Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit.   

Favorite holiday?
Christmas. I love the smell of pine trees.