Margaux Mustian, M.D., MSPH, an assistant professor in the Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, is one of the fall 2025 graduates of the UAB Sharing Authentically to Inspire and Lead (SAIL) program. The SAIL program, facilitated by UAB’s Leadership Development Office, is designed to help early-career faculty refine their leadership skills and chart sustainable paths toward long-term academic success.
The SAIL program provides a unique opportunity for junior faculty to develop their leadership capacities, strengthen their academic identities, and establish connections with other emerging leaders in UAB Medicine. As part of the fall 2025 cohort, Mustian had the opportunity to collaborate with six colleagues from diverse disciplines, sharing insights and strategies for overcoming common challenges and building leadership skills that are authentic and sustainable.
Mustian said her participation in the program has equipped her with the skills to navigate the challenges faced by early-career faculty, especially in leadership roles within academic medicine.
“The program has allowed me to better understand the dynamics of leadership, particularly in a multidisciplinary academic setting,” Mustian said. “I now have a broader perspective on leadership styles and I’m developing a more authentic approach to mentoring and collaboration.”
Mustian’s academic journey began at Wake Forest University, where she completed both her undergraduate studies and medical degree. She went on to complete the UAB General Surgery Residency, and Advanced Bariatric & Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowship. This training laid the foundation for her clinical expertise in areas such as bariatric surgery, abdominal wall hernias, and surgical education. She serves as the Surgery Clerkship Director, and her clinical work focuses on minimally invasive surgery and bariatric surgery, with a particular interest in the long-term outcomes of weight loss surgery. Mustian also has a strong research focus, particularly in health services research. She is committed to improving access to quality metabolic and bariatric surgical care.