UAB Medicine’s Leadership Development Office (LDO) celebrated seven distinguished faculty members from the seventh cohort of the S.A.I.L. (Sharing Authentically to Inspire and Lead) program at a graduation ceremony on Tuesday, Oct. 21. The program, facilitated by Celeste Morgan, Ph.D., CDMS, senior leadership development specialist, is designed to help early-career faculty strengthen their leadership skills, refine their academic identities, and chart clear, sustainable paths toward long-term success.
The S.A.I.L. Program is a Junior Faculty Leadership Program that provides a unique development opportunity for a small cohort of assistant professors. Its purpose is to help participants navigate the challenges unique to early-career faculty in medicine by fostering authentic leadership, self-awareness, and community. Offered each fall and spring, the program equips junior faculty with the tools and support needed to grow as leaders in both their departments and the broader academic community.
The Fall 2025 S.A.I.L. graduates include:
- Megan Amerson-Brown, Ph.D., D(ABMM), MLS (ASCP), CIC – Assistant Professor, Pathology
- Selene Meza-Perez, Ph.D. – Assistant Professor, Medicine
- Margaux Mustian, M.D., MSPH – Assistant Professor, Surgery
- Sajal Patel, M.D. – Assistant Professor, Pediatrics
- Giovanna Pilonieta, Ph.D. – Assistant Professor, Neurology
- Nick Rockwell, M.D. – Assistant Professor, Pediatrics
- Haoyang Yan, Ph.D. – Assistant Professor, Family and Community Medicine
These seven faculty members exemplify the innovation, commitment, and collaborative spirit that drive UAB’s mission of academic and clinical excellence.
“The S.A.I.L. course has been pivotal, teaching me to better understand, empower, and collaborate with others while leveraging my own strengths,” said Selene Meza-Perez, Ph.D., “I learned and enjoyed it. I hope this type of leadership course continues and reaches all academic levels.”
"It was valuable to learn alongside a diverse group of healthcare professionals," Sajal Patel, M.D., "Hearing different perspectives on shared challenges provided fresh insight, and the experience offered a great opportunity for collaboration and networking."
Congratulations to the Fall 2025 S.A.I.L. graduates on completing this meaningful milestone and continuing to advance as UAB leaders in education, research, and service.