MEDIA CONTACT:
Susan Leigh
Phone: 202/371-9195, x171
Email: sleigh@aavmc.org
WASHINGTON, D.C, June 15, 2022 — Merck Animal Health will sponsor two American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) initiatives that are designed to support diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI): a fee waiver program for economically disadvantaged students to apply to veterinary medical school and a scholarship for a student who demonstrates outstanding leadership in support of DEI..
“The AAVMC has had DEI scholarship and fee waiver programs for many years, but this funding from Merck Animal Health will enable us to promote, expand and sustain these important and popular programs,” said AAVMC CEO Dr. Andrew T. Maccabe. “We’re grateful that Merck Animal Health shares our commitment to making a veterinary medical education available to all.”
The Merck Animal Health Diversity Applicant Fee Assistance Program will supplement AAVMC’s current Fee Assistance offerings . It will allow qualified veterinary medical school applicants who use the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS) to waive one additional designation fee to apply to an additional school. To qualify for this fee waiver, applicants must be approved for a first-designation waiver and be an applicant from a group underrepresented in veterinary medicine (URVM), a first-generation college student, or a Pell Grant-eligible student.
The Merck Animal Health Diversity Leadership Scholarship will add to AAVMC’s recognition of veterinary students’ contributions to DEI leadership. The scholarship will recognize second- or third-year students in good academic and professional standing at an AAVMC member institution. Awardees must demonstrate a record of contributing to enhancing diversity and inclusion through course projects, co-curricular activities, outreach, domestic and community engagement, research, and/or developed an early reputation for influencing others to be inclusive. These scholarships will honor the individuals who have been consistent champions of addressing inequities and underrepresentation in the veterinary profession; have advocated for social justice; and, who have advanced valuing diversity and inclusion at AAVMC member Institutions. Each recipient will be awarded a one-time scholarship payment in the amount of $5,000.
About the AAVMC
The member institutions of the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) promote and protect the health and wellbeing 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, the United Kingdom, Europe, 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
For over 130 years, Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, has been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world’s most challenging diseases. Merck Animal Health, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA, 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 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, Twitter and Instagram.
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