In the fall season of 2021, the Heersink School of Medicine kicked off a Momentum Executive Leadership pilot program on UAB’s campus called Momentum in Medicine at UAB. The program adopted the same nine-month format as Momentum’s Executive Leadership program but was held on UAB’s campus and only for UAB Medicine employees.
Women were nominated by their peers, then chosen by a committee for selection into the first-year class. The goal of the program is to help leaders who are women identify their unique strengths and grow in their leadership traits and skill sets. Momentum connects women leaders across Alabama and offers networking opportunities and tools for ongoing development.
Each month, we have highlighted women in the program and told their stories—asking them questions about their personal and professional growth, purpose, and motivations.
For our final installment, we sat down with Megann Bates Cain, Donna Bailer, and Dr. Cathy Fuller to hear what the program means to them.
Meet Megann Bates Cain
Megann serves as chief development officer for UAB Heersink School of Medicine.
Q: What does it mean to you to be a part of Momentum in Medicine at UAB?
It’s an incredible honor to be considered for this extraordinary program. I’m thrilled that UAB Medicine and Heersink School of Medicine had the forethought to think strategically about starting a program at UAB so more of our leaders could have protected time to focus on continuous improvement in our leadership.
Q: How do you stay motivated to continue personal and professional growth?
The teams that I serve on within UAB motivate me daily to continue refining myself and my leadership skills. To whom much is given, much is expected and I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to grow and learn about leadership in a very tangible way at UAB. It is not lost on me that this protected time with fellow leaders, executives and leadership development professionals is a large investment for our organization – that keeps me motivated to use what I’m learning every chance I get.
Q: Momentum trains extraordinary women leaders. Who has been an extraordinary woman leader in your life?
This is one of those questions where I cringe a little because there are SO many women that have poured into me professionally, but one of the most extraordinary women leaders in my life has been Suzanne Durham, the former CEO of the YWCA of Central Alabama. She took a chance on a young professional with a lot of drive, but not as much experience and invested in me every step of the way. If you know her, she’s notorious for her “teachable moments” and I had a lot! She taught me to take the high road most every time (even when the air is thin!), take the “teachable moments” and turn them into a win, and embrace that I am enough. She has been a guiding light for me my entire fundraising career.
Q: How have you felt empowered by Momentum?
Momentum has given me the gift of connection to dozens of other women leaders across the organization that empower me in many different ways. I feel empowered knowing that I’m not alone. I’ve got a cohort of women cheering me on, supporting me - who are a phone call or email away when I need a lifeline.
Q: What is your biggest takeaway?
That I want my leadership legacy to be that of someone who invested in people, advocated for positive change, celebrated wins and failures – because it takes both to create excellence, and made the small slice of the world that I had the honor of serving in better.
Q: What is one piece of advice you would give women who want to become leaders in their field?
Make the time for leadership development. You will always think you don’t have time; but I would argue it’s the most critical thing you can do with your time. Develop yourself so you can be your best self.
Meet Dr. Cathy Fuller
Q: What does it mean to you to be a part of Momentum in Medicine at UAB?
I feel very privileged to be part of this first class of Momentum in Medicine at UAB. I think several studies have shown that one of the key things that holds women back from leadership positions within their organizations is the lack of opportunity to participate in programs such as Momentum. These programs are so valuable for building networks, learning from the experience of others and recognizing the leadership potential within oneself. I have been so impressed by all of the other women in this group.
Q: How do you stay motivated to continue personal and professional growth?
I’m continually motivated by the group of people with whom I work; I really want them to be successful in their chosen paths and so anything I can do to facilitate that is important. I am constantly learning so that I can be ready for the next challenge that is coming round the corner! It is also motivating to know that my ideas are appreciated and recognized by others.
Q: Momentum trains extraordinary women leaders. Who has been an extraordinary woman leader in your life?
I’ve been fortunate to have encountered good and bad male and female leaders in my career both in Europe and in the US. The bad ones can be very valuable in modeling what not to do! However, two UAB women who have stood out for me while I’ve been here are Tika Benveniste and Cheri Canon. Both have been pacesetters in their respective fields, both have been instrumental in driving UAB forward, but both also are approachable, inclusive and very supportive. UAB is lucky to have them!
Q: How have you been empowered by Momentum?
I think a couple of things have stood out for me; one, developing more confidence in my abilities, decisions and strategies which has empowered me to take more risk and be more assertive, while at the same time learning to be comfortable with delegation, and to be a better and hopefully more thoughtful mentor.
Q: What is your biggest takeaway so far?
The challenges of leadership are the same for both men and women, but women approach and handle these challenges very differently. It is important to recognize the differences in people on the team and adapt one’s approach to suit the individual if you want to optimize their performance.
Q: What is one piece of advice you would give women who want to become leaders in their field?
Don’t settle for a position that is comfortable because you lack the confidence to ask for that promotion or raise or apply for that new job or because you are nervous about extra responsibility - you have more skills and talents than you realize!
Meet Donna Bailer
Q: What does it mean to you to be a part of Momentum in Medicine at UAB?
I am tremendously grateful for the opportunity to participate in the inaugural Momentum in Medicine at UAB class. When an employer chooses to reinvest in the growth of its leaders, especially its women leaders who have been a historic minority in top healthcare leadership positions, that’s an employer that is not only breaking the glass ceiling, but shattering it. UAB recognizes the significance of its women leaders and their talents, and my participation in this program heightened my understanding of the infinite abilities and steadfast dedication that all our women leaders offer to UAB’s mission every day.
Q: How do you stay motivated to continue personal and professional growth?
It is easy to stay motivated when you feel the rewards of a job well done in serving others. Realizing that leaders not only set the mission, vision, and values, but also the style in which we work each day allows ample opportunity to see your own leadership growth in action. It is a priceless gift to take part in setting the tone for others. We all want to be valued, heard, and treated with respect.
Q: Momentum trains extraordinary women leaders. Who has been an extraordinary woman leader in your life?
This is such an interesting question for me. As I reflected on my childhood, high school, college, and adult careers, I truly struggled to name an extraordinary woman leader in my life-- which is a very telling moment for all of us, and an event which deserves great pause. I’ve certainly had both extraordinary women colleagues and teachers, and great male leaders in my life, but none of the leadership roles were held by women until my work with UAB. Dawn Bulgarella, LaKisha Mack, Dr. Jean Ann Larson, Joan Hicks, Sandy Peterson, Stephanie McClinton, Patricia Pritchett, Dr. Kiersten Kennedy, Cynthia Ransburg-Brown, Catherine Brown, Megann Bates Cain, Angela Medici, Amanda Chambers, Andrea Boohaker, every woman in my Momentum in Medicine at UAB class, every woman on my department faculty and staff… shall I go on? What a metamorphosis of work culture, inclusion and diversity I’ve personally had the pleasure of experiencing here at UAB!
Q: How do you hope to be empowered by Momentum?
Momentum has allowed me to take time to understand myself in the form of a DISC profile, 360 evaluation, StrengthFinders 2.0 test, values assessment, mentor group coaching, autobiography, expert guest speakers, and leadership literature. Self-reflection is the only way to understand how I show up now --versus how I want to show up in the future—so I can be a better leader than I am today. I want to bring these lessons back to my faculty, staff and teams, to help them understand the power of motivation, inspiration, empathy, listening, communication, accountability, support and kindness to their personal and professional happiness and success.
Q: What is your biggest takeaway so far?
“Lead in a way that is authentically you.” I am not going to be like, or lead like, other women leaders because my experiences are personal to me, and different than theirs. We all bring something unique, so learn to lean into your own talents and abilities to lead and inspire with authenticity.
Q: What is one piece of advice you would give women who want to become leaders in their field?
Perfect your skills in your field, surround yourself with other talented team members because you cannot be everything all at once, know your strengths and use them, and keep your mission in the forefront at all times.