With a long-standing commitment to the education of the next generation of veterinarians, Merck Animal Health today, in partnership with the American Association of Swine Veterinarians Foundation — the charitable arm of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians — announced the 2017 recipients of the AASVF/Merck Animal Health Veterinary Student Scholarships.

The recipients, who will each receive a $5,000 scholarship, are:

• Kayla Blake, Auburn University

• Jordan Gebhardt, Kansas State University

• Allison Knox, University of Illinois

• Chelsea Ruston, Iowa State University

• Brent Sexton, Iowa State University

“Merck Animal Health recognizes the importance of ensuring that today’s veterinary students graduate with the skills they will need to maintain the optimal health of animals in their care, as the work they will do, simply put, will help feed the world,” says Joseph Roder, DVM, director of Swine Technical Services for Merck Animal Health. “Feeding our growing population with healthy food is important – and we want to recognize and help support students like these outstanding recipients who are up to the challenge.”

“It is great when a company like Merck Animal Health places value on supporting veterinary students pursuing a career in swine medicine and production,” says Tom Burkgren, DVM, AASV executive director. “We deeply appreciate the company helping to elevate the AASVF mission of developing veterinary students for their role in the future of our industry.”

The recipients were announced earlier today at the 48th Annual AASV Meeting in Denver, Colo. Second- and third-year veterinary students enrolled in American Veterinary Medical Association-accredited or recognized colleges of veterinary medicine in the United States, Canada, Mexico, South America and the Caribbean Islands are eligible. Learn more at AASV.org.

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 research and development 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 Merck-Animal-Health.com or connect with Merck on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter at @MerckAH.

About the AASVF

The American Association of Swine Veterinarians 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 well-being 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 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 AASV.org.