March 31, 2015

Merck Animal Health Sponsors Scholarship Program

Awards $170,000 to Veterinary Students
MADISON, N.J., March 31, 2015 – Merck Animal Health today announced the recipients of the Merck Animal Health Veterinary Student Scholarship Program, awarding $170,000 in scholarships to 34 veterinary students from around the world. Through a partnership with the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF), the program recognizes outstanding second- and third-year students who are pursuing careers in large animal and companion animal medicine.
“These students are our future visionaries and will become the leaders of the veterinary profession,” said Norman Stewart, D.V.M., livestock technical services manager for Merck Animal Health. “Through this program, we are reinforcing our long-standing commitment to education, personal development and the science of healthier animals. It also allows us to help support the cost of veterinary education, as well as recognize and celebrate the next generation of leaders.”
Every year, Merck Animal Health collaborates with numerous educational and veterinary organizations to ensure the advancement of animal health. This scholarship program is part of a broader commitment to education, students and the future of the industry. AVMF, the charitable arm of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), has a 50-year history of providing opportunities that foster the academic success of veterinary students.
“The AVMF is committed to ensuring the future of veterinary medicine, so we are pleased to partner with Merck Animal Health to provide veterinary student scholarships to students in the United States and international veterinary colleges,” says Dr. Cheryl Eia, Interim Executive Director, AVMF. “Providing support to these outstanding students will greatly impact and improve the future of veterinary medicine for years to come.”
More than 1,000 students from U.S. and international veterinary schools accredited through the AVMA applied for the scholarships. Award recipients were selected based on academic excellence, financial need, leadership and area of interest within the profession. The following students have been awarded the 2015 Merck Animal Health Veterinary Student Scholarships.

Rahmat Al-Amin, Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, SE Asia
Laurence Arpin, University of Montreal, Canada
Kaitlyn Briggs, Cornell University, U.S.
Daniel Carreño, North Carolina State University, U.S.
Serena Caunce, University of Saskatchewan, Canada
Tereza Chylkova, University of California-Davis, U.S.
Brillarch Amante M. Dayag II, University of the Philippines Los Banos, SE Asia
Jona del Mundo, University of the Philippines Los Banos, SE Asia
Stephanie Delorme, University of Guelph, Canada
Kelly Flynn, University of Wisconsin, U.S.
Kelly Hurley, University of Florida, U.S.
Samantha Huston, The Ohio State University, U.S.
Ariful Islam, Bangladesh Agricultural University, SE Asia
Rachael Ramsey Kearns, North Carolina State University, U.S.
Kamraitip Lokham, Chiang Mai University-Thailand, SE Asia
Rebecca Lulay, Oregon State University, U.S.
June Marlo M. Matundan, University of the Philippines Los Banos, SE Asia
Ericka Meyers, Colorado State University, U.S.
Nicole Mikoni, University of California – Davis, U.S.
Chandan Nath, Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, SE Asia
Halcyon Dawn G. Nicolas, University of the Philippines Los Banos, SE Asia
Shirley Nigaglioni Roig, St. George’s University, Caribbean
Megan Marie Orloski, North Carolina State University, U.S.
Susanna Perenboom, Washington State University, U.S.
Md. Tazinur Rahman, Bangladesh Agricultural University, SE Asia
Dipto Kumar Roy, Bangladesh Agricultural University, SE Asia
Md. Nur A Alam Sidique, Bangladesh Agricultural University, SE Asia
Kristin Maicah Soriano, University of the Philippines Los Banos, SE Asia
Emily Spulak, Colorado State University, U.S.
Sakhawat Hossain Tareq, Bangladesh Agricultural University, SE Asia
Jessica M. Urban, St. George’s University, Caribbean
Rachel Wanty, Colorado State University, U.S.
Cheryl Yashar, University of California – Davis, U.S.
Moonkiratul Zannat, Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University-Bangladesh, SE Asia

Merck Animal Health invests in the future of the veterinary profession by supporting research, education and specialized skills training so veterinarians have the resources they need to provide the best care possible. The scholarship program with AVMF supports the next generation of veterinarians and expands the future careers of students who are committed to veterinary and animal sciences.

About Merck Animal Health

Today’s Merck is a global healthcare leader working to help the world be well. 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 and Twitter at @MerckAH.

About the American Veterinary Medical Foundation

The American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) is the charitable arm of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). For more than 50 years, the AVMF has been dedicated to embracing and advancing the well-being and medical care of animals. Charitable contributions and support to the Foundation help veterinarians help animals. Initiatives include: Humane Outreach-Animal Welfare, Education and Public Awareness, Research Support, Student Enhancement, and support of American Veterinary Medical Association and its initiatives. The AVMF, a two-time, four-star rated nonprofit by Charity Navigator, has awarded more than $50 million in grants since it began in 1963. As we just celebrated our golden anniversary, we want to do even more.
Established by the AVMA in 1963, AVMF based its national headquarters in northwest suburban Chicago. The AVMA, founded in 1863, is one of the oldest and largest veterinary medical organizations in the world, with more than 80,000 current members.

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