AAVMC Highlights 2025 Merck Animal Health and Patricia M. Lowrie Diversity Leadership Scholarship Winners

MEDIA CONTACT:

Madison Croxson

Phone: 202-371-9195 x500

Email: marketing@aavmc.org

WASHINGTON, DC, January 13, 2024 — The American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) has awarded $166,000 in scholarships to students enrolled at AAVMC Member Institutions. These scholarships support AAVMC’s mission to inspire innovation and promote excellence in academic veterinary medicine worldwide.

The Merck Animal Health Diversity Leadership Scholarship recognizes 16 students who contribute to enhancing diversity and inclusion at AAVMC Member Institutions. Each recipient was nominated by the dean of their respective institutions and will be awarded $10,000 in scholarship funds. These scholarships, sponsored by Merck Animal Health, total $160,000. View the full list of recipients.

“Merck Animal Health is proud to support the AAVMC Diversity Leadership Scholarships, which empower future veterinarians to enhance inclusivity within the profession,” said Meg Conlon, executive director, professional veterinary services for Merck Animal Health. “Congratulations to all recipients for exemplifying the leadership and diversity of thought needed to drive innovation in veterinary medicine.”

The Patricia M. Lowrie Diversity Leadership Scholarship recipient is selected from the Merck Animal Health Diversity Leadership Scholarship winners. This year, it was awarded to Sergio Acuna, a student at Cornell University. Acuna will be issued a one-time payment in the amount of $6,000, bringing his total scholarship funds to $16,000.

“I am truly honored to be awarded both the Merck Animal Health Diversity Leadership Scholarship and the Patricia M. Lowrie Diversity Leadership Scholarship,” Acuna said. “These recognitions deepen my sense of fulfillment for the work I have done so far, and they further fuel my passion to continue advocating for a more inclusive environment within the veterinary field.”

Photo: Sergio Acuna

For more information about AAVMC’s scholarship and grant programs, including eligibility requirements and deadlines, please visit awards.aavmc.org.

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About AAVMC

The member institutions of the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) promote and protect the health and well-being of people, animals, and the environment by advancing the profession of veterinary medicine and preparing new generations of veterinarians to meet the evolving needs of a changing world. Founded in 1966, the AAVMC represents more than 40,000 faculty, staff, and students across the global academic veterinary medical community. Our member institutions include Council on Education (COE) accredited veterinary medical colleges and schools in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as departments of veterinary science and departments of comparative medicine in the U.S.

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 LinkedInFacebookX (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.