Merck Animal Health Awards $50,000 in Scholarships to Future Swine Practitioners

Student scholarship program inspires students to further their veterinary education

RAHWAY, N.J., Feb. 28, 2024 – Merck Animal Health, known as MSD Animal Health outside of the United States and Canada, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA (NYSE:MRK), today announced its continued commitment to the swine industry’s next generation of veterinarians by partnering with the American Association of Swine Veterinarians Foundation (AASVF) to sponsor the 2024 recipients of the AASVF and Merck Animal Health Veterinary Student Scholarship Program.

Scholarships totaling $50,000 were awarded to 10 veterinary students for 2024. The recipients were announced at the 55^th AASV Annual Meeting, held in Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 24-27.

The following students were each awarded a $5,000 scholarship:

• Kristen Cleaver, Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine
• Cassidy Cordon, University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine
• Juan Hernández Cuevas, The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine
• Samantha Nixon, Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan
• Elizabeth Ohl, The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine
• Kendall Sattler, Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine
• Adam Steffensmeier, Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine
• Megan Neveau Thomas, Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine
• Matilyn Wheeler, Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine
• Mallory Wilhelm, Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine

“Merck Animal Health is committed to the veterinary profession and is proud to honor these students who represent the next generation of veterinary leaders for the swine industry,” said Justin Welsh, D.V.M., executive director of livestock technical services, Merck Animal Health. “Through our partnership with AASV, we are helping to build students’ knowledge of swine health and well-being as they prepare for a career in this important field.”

“The AASV and the AASV Foundation appreciate Merck Animal Health’s long-standing support for the AASVF-Merck Animal Health Veterinary Student Scholarship Program. Their generous donation enables the AASV Foundation to assist future swine veterinarians with their educational expenses,” said Harry Snelson, D.V.M., AASV executive director. “This support has become increasingly important as educational expenses for veterinary students continue to rise.”

Second- and third-year students enrolled in American Veterinary Medical Association-accredited or recognized colleges of veterinary medicine in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, South America and the Caribbean Islands are eligible for the scholarship. Learn more at www.aasv.org.

The 2024 recipients of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians Foundation and Merck Animal Health Veterinary Student Scholarship Program include

Back (left to right): Jack Creel, D.V.M. with Merck Animal Health; Adam Steffensmeier; Mallory Wilhelm; Elizabeth Ohl

Front (left to right): Megan Neveau Thomas; Matilyn Wheeler; Kristen Cleaver; Kendall Sattler

Not pictured: Cassidy Cordon, Juan Hernández Cuevas, Samantha Nixon

About Merck Animal Health

At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than a century, we’ve been at the forefront of research, bringing forward medicines, vaccines and innovative health solutions for the world’s most challenging diseases. Merck Animal Health, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA, is the global animal health business of Merck. Through its commitment to The Science of Healthier Animals^®, Merck Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, producers, pet owners and governments one of the widest ranges of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services as well as an extensive suite of connected technology that includes identification, traceability and monitoring products. Merck Animal Health is dedicated to preserving and improving the health, well-being and performance of animals and the people who care for them. It invests extensively in dynamic and comprehensive R&D resources and a modern, global supply chain. Merck Animal Health is present in more than 50 countries, while its products are available in some 150 markets. For more information, visit www.merck-animal-health.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.

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