AVMF announces Pfizer scholarship recipients

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The American Veterinary Medical Foundation announced in late March that 300 veterinary students had received scholarships via the Pfizer Animal Health Veterinary Student Scholarship Program.

The program, now in its second year, provides $2,500 scholarships to second- and third-year veterinary students. Pfizer funds the scholarships, and the AVMF administers the program.AVMF

In particular, the program seeks to promote food animal practice and diversity in the veterinary profession. About 17 percent of this year's scholarship recipients plan to enter food animal practice, and about a third plan to enter mixed animal practice. More than 30 percent of the recipients represent groups currently underrepresented in the veterinary profession.

"At Pfizer Animal Health, we are committed to the future of the veterinary profession," said Dr. J. Michael McFarland, Pfizer Animal Health group director of veterinary medical services. "We work to support students' dreams to become veterinarians in several ways, from education and hands-on training to research and the Pfizer Animal Health scholarship program, which allows us to help lessen the financial debt that our students face today. We are honored to be part of the road to professional success for these students."

One of the applicants for the Pfizer scholarship program, Christina M. Meeks (WSU '12), received the new Dr. Steve Gross Memorial Scholarship. The $2,500 scholarship honors the memory of Dr. Steven B. Gross, a Wyoming mixed animal practitioner.

The AVMF announced the scholarship recipients March 24 during the Student AVMA Educational Symposium.

"The American Veterinary Medical Foundation for almost 50 years now has had as a primary mission the enhancement and support of the educational needs of veterinary students," said Michael W. Cathey, AVMF executive director. "Since 2010 the AVMF is so very pleased to be able to partner with Pfizer Animal Health as Pfizer has now made possible the single largest annual source of veterinary student scholarships."

The AVMF has posted the list of this year's recipients at www.avmf.org.