Through the Merck Animal Health Veterinary Student Scholarship Program, the selected second- and third-year students pursuing careers in companion animal or large animal medicine will each receive a $5,000 scholarship to support their educational endeavors.

“We know that the cost of veterinary education can be a challenge, but want to encourage talented students to pursue their dreams,” said Scott Bormann, Vice President, North America, Merck Animal Health. “We’re honored to support these recipients, as the work they do throughout their careers will have an important impact on the animal health industry, helping to advance the medical care of both companion and large animals.”

The AVMF, the charitable arm of the American Veterinary Medical Association, has supported veterinary students for more than five decades.

“The AVMF helps ensure the future of veterinary medicine by identifying and supporting outstanding students,” said Debborah Harp, CFRE, AVMF Executive Director. “We are honored to partner with

Merck Animal Health in providing these scholarship opportunities.”
Award recipients from U.S. and international veterinary schools accredited through the AVMA were selected based on academic excellence, financial need, leadership and area of interest within the profession. The 2017 scholarship recipients are:

• Sharmin Akter, Bangladesh Agricultural University
• Bryle Jansen Albao, University of the Philippines
• Kayla Alexander, Mississippi State University
• Erin Beasley, North Carolina State University
• Sandra Bernal, University of the Philippines
• Nitol Chandra Das, Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University
• Ericka Datuin, University of the Philippines
• Syeda Munira Dilshad, Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University
• Katie Dirsmith, Colorado State University
• Laura Eckstrand, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine
• Shakera Fudge, Tuskegee University
• Jill Grogan, Michigan State University
• Rachel Hilliard, Cornell University
• Kelly Hood, North Carolina State University
• Nazmul Hossain, Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University
• Claire Hovenga, Colorado State University
• Zahidul Islam, Bangladesh Agricultural University
• Sohaila Jafarian, Kansas State University
• Khali Jones, Tuskegee University
• Lisa Jones, Cornell University
• Enif Ledesma, University of the Philippines
• Leslie Lundewall, Purdue University
• Rachel Madenjian, Tufts University
• Kristen Malinak, North Carolina State University
• Imma Mangubat, University of the Philippines
• Kristy Meadows, Tufts University
• Ananta Paul, Bangladesh Agricultural University
• Gwen Roy, University of Saskatchewan
• Rahima Akther Ruma, Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University
• Jenna Scott, North Carolina State University
• Brent Sexton, Iowa State University
• Amanda Stump, The Ohio State University
• Sudipat Talukder, Bangladesh Agricultural University
• Shamsunnaher Yesmin, Bangladesh Agricultural University

About Merck Animal Health

For over a century, Merck has been 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, Facebook 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), one of the oldest and largest veterinary medical organizations in the world. More than 89,000 member veterinarians worldwide are engaged in a wide variety of professional activities. For more than 50 years, the foundation has been helping veterinarians help animals with support for education, advocacy, service, and research programs and activities. Visit AVMF.org for more information.