CVM Students Receive Pfizer Animal Health Scholarships
Seven students from North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine are among the first recipients of the new national scholarship program created by Pfizer Animal Health in partnership with the American Veterinary Medical Foundation for the purpose of helping veterinary students offset the cost of their education.
The NC State CVM students receiving the scholarship are:
- Adam Beard
- Halyna Deihl
- Harrison Dudley
- James McCrea
- John Parks
- Erin Royster
- Vincent Ziglioli
The scholarship winners—selected on the basis of academic excellence, leadership, diversity, and potential for contributing to food animal or food safety veterinary medicine—will each receive $2,500. Scholarship winners came from all 28 colleges of veterinary medicine in the U.S.
“Rising debt, insufficient diversity, and fewer practicing or skilled food animal veterinarians in rural America are serious challenges to the veterinary profession,” says Michael McFarland, DVM, Group Director, Veterinary Medical Services & Corporate Citizenship, for Pfizer Animal Health. “As a market leader, we have responsibility and an obligation to help support the future of the veterinary profession.”
According to the scholarship announcement, the U.S. Department of Agriculture currently projects a shortage of 600 veterinarians and anticipates demand for food animal veterinarians will increase 12 to 13 percent by 2016. Some 2,600 veterinarians graduate annually from U.S. veterinary programs with an average debt load of $120,000.
About Pfizer: Pfizer Animal Health discovers and develops animal vaccines and prescription medicines, investing an estimated $300 million annually in animal health product research and development. The company works to ensure a safe, sustainable food supply from healthy livestock and poultry and also seeks to help companion animals and horses live longer, healthier lives.
About the American Veterinary Medical Foundation: The AVMF is the charitable arm of the American Veterinary Medical Association and is dedicated to protecting and advancing the well being and medical care of animals. Funding priorities include: humane outreach and animal welfare, education and public awareness, student enhancement, and research support.
Posted June 23, 2010
