Merck Animal Health Partners with the American Association of Bovine Practitioners Foundation to Award Scholarships to Future Bovine Veterinarians

Nine veterinary students honored at the recent AABP Annual Conference

RAHWAY, N.J., Sept. 17, 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 it has awarded $90,000 in scholarships to nine future bovine veterinarians in partnership with the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) Foundation. Scholarship recipients of the Merck Animal Health Bovine Veterinary Student Recognition Award were selected based on their academic achievements, career goals, work experience and interest in veterinary medicine.

          The scholarships recently were awarded at the 2024 AABP Annual Conference, held in Columbus, Ohio, Sept. 12-14. The 2024 scholarship recipients, each receiving $10,000, include:

• Alyssa Hoyle, Oklahoma State University
• Derrick Knill, Ontario Veterinary College
• Madelaine Kuwada, North Carolina State University
• Cady McGehee, University of Wisconsin
• Mikayla Ringelberg, Ontario Veterinary College
• Emma Sells, Washington State University
• Jayden (Hanna) Simpson, Kansas State University
• Sierra Shelit, Kansas State University
• Matthew Vander Poel, University of Wisconsin

          “Merck Animal Health is proud to honor these veterinary students who represent the future of cattle care,” said Justin Welsh, D.V.M., executive director of livestock technical services at Merck Animal Health. “These exemplary students embody Merck Animal Health’s mission to advance The Science of Healthier Animals^®. Now more than ever, the industry needs these bright minds who will bring their dedication and learnings to veterinary medicine.”

          “We are deeply appreciative to Merck Animal Health for their continued partnership as we support these veterinary students who will soon be leading the veterinary profession,” said Fred Gingrich II, D.V.M., executive director of AABP. “These exceptional scholarship recipients have the skills and abilities to ensure a promising future for the cattle industry.”

          Founded in 1965, AABP is an international association of more than 5,000 veterinarians and veterinary students who serve as leaders in cattle health, welfare and productivity. To learn more, visit aabp.org.

The 2024 recipients of the Merck Animal Health Bovine Veterinary Student Recognition scholarships awarded by Merck Animal Health and the American Association of Bovine Practitioners Foundation include: (left to right) Emma Sells, Matthew Vander Poel, Cady McGehee, Maddie Kuwada. Sierra Shelit, Mikayla Ringelberg, Derrick Knill, and Lowell T. Midla, VMD, MS, Merck Animal Health. Not pictured: Alyssa Hoyle, Jayden (Hanna) Simpson

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.

Forward-Looking Statement of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA

          This news release of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA (the “company”) includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

          Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, general industry conditions and competition; general economic factors, including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care legislation in the United States and internationally; global trends toward health care cost containment; technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approval; the company’s ability to accurately predict future market conditions; manufacturing difficulties or delays; financial instability of international economies and sovereign risk; dependence on the effectiveness of the company’s patents and other protections for innovative products; and the exposure to litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory actions.

          The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and the company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at the SEC’s Internet site (www.sec.gov).

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