Merck Animal Health Lends Support to Future Swine Practitioners; Announces 2019 AASVF Veterinary Scholarship Recipients
MADISON, N.J., March 11, 2019 – With a long-standing commitment to the education of the next generation of veterinarians, Merck Animal Health (known as MSD Animal Health outside the United States and Canada) today, in partnership with the American Association of Swine Veterinarians Foundation (AASVF) – the charitable arm of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians – announced the 2019 recipients of the AASVF/Merck Animal Health Veterinary Student Scholarships.
“Through this program, Merck Animal Health reinforces its enduring commitment to veterinary medicine and the people who will ensure the science of healthier animals now and in the years to come,” said Joseph Roder, D.V.M., Director of Swine Technical Services, Merck Animal Health. “We remain dedicated to providing veterinary students with vital real-world experiences that will equip them with the skills they need to help ensure the health and well-being of animals, as well as help feed the world.”
“Merck Animal Health continues to demonstrate a meaningful commitment to swine veterinarians by sponsoring these scholarships,” said Tom Burkgren, D.V.M., AASV Executive Director. “This commitment elevates the mission of the AASVF by assisting veterinary students in finding and fulfilling their roles in the veterinary profession.”
The recipients, who will each receive a $5,000 scholarship, are:
- Kayla Castevens, North Carolina State University
- Grace Elijah, Kansas State University
- Matt Finch, Iowa State University
- Taylor Homann, University of Minnesota
- Sophie Leone, Colorado State University
- Jamie Madigan, North Carolina State University
- Elizabeth Noblett, North Carolina State University
- Shelby Perkins, University of Missouri
- Rachel Stika, Iowa State University
- Zach Talbert, University of Illinois
The recipients were announced earlier today at the 50th Annual AASV Meeting in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. 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
About Merck Animal Health
For more than a century, Merck, a leading global biopharmaceutical company, has been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world’s most challenging diseases. Merck Animal Health, known as MSD Animal Health outside the United States and Canada, is the global animal health business unit of Merck. Through its commitment to the Science of Healthier Animals™, Merck Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, pet owners and governments one of the widest range of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services. Merck Animal Health is dedicated to preserving and improving the health, well-being and performance of animals. 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 or connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter at @MerckAH.
About the AASVF
The American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) has approximately 1,300 members involved in practice, industry and academia in more than 40 countries. It is the mission of the AASV to: increase the knowledge of swine veterinarians, protect and promote the health and wellbeing of pigs, advocate science-based approaches to veterinary, industry, and public health issues, promote the development and availability of resources that enhance the effectiveness of professional activities, create opportunities that inspire personal and professional growth and interaction and mentor students, encouraging life-long careers as swine veterinarians. The AASV Foundation (AASVF) is the charitable arm of the AASV. One of the AASVF’s objectives is to provide oversight and manage veterinary student scholarship programs. For more information visit www.aasv.org