PORTLAND, Maine–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Covetrus, a global leader in animal-health technology and services, announced two new scholarships with the goal of increasing education awards to diverse and underrepresented students studying veterinary medicine or veterinary pharmacy at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine and at the University of New England School of Pharmacy.
The Covetrus Diversity Scholarship in Veterinary Medicine and the Covetrus Diversity Scholarship in Veterinary Pharmacy are new initiatives for the company developed to enable more accessibility and diversity within the veterinary industry. Scholarships will be awarded starting with the 2021-2022 school year.
Covetrus is providing $15,000 in scholarship funds every year for four years (2021-2024) to each institution to support students who demonstrate financial need, are in good academic standing and contribute to the diversity of these institutions.
According to a 2020 survey from the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, researchers found admission offers were lower for candidates from underrepresented racial or ethnic groups, recipients of Pell Grants (awarded for those with significant financial need), first-generation college students, candidates from rural communities and those aspiring to practice in rural communities. Furthermore, according to the nonprofit National Association for Black Veterinarians, the number of Black veterinarians dropped from 2.1% of the total veterinarian population in 2016 to below 1% in 2019, which is largely due to accessibility and lack of diverse leadership.
These scholarships represent an important step in advancing the animal-health industry to be more inclusive and a better representation of the wide range of ethnicities and backgrounds of the pet owners they serve.
“It’s imperative as leaders in animal health to provide accessibility for all and foster diversity and inclusion among the next generation of veterinarians and pharmacists,” said Dustin Finer, Chief Administrative Officer at Covetrus. “The veterinary industry should reflect the pet parents we serve in the communities we service — and that means making space for diverse candidates.”
Covetrus supports the University of New England’s School of Pharmacy (UNE) by offering advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) to pharmacy doctoral candidates enrolled there. This program was one of many university partnerships that Covetrus sponsored or developed in order to help prepare a new generation of pharmacists with the tools and knowledge to improve the healthcare of animals through cohesive collaboration with veterinarians. Similarly, Covetrus has partnered with The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine by donating products for use in the university’s clinical skills lab, which is an open, hands-on, environment where students can practice clinical and surgical skill on anatomic models.
UNE pharmacy students may apply annually for the Covetrus Scholarship through the school’s scholarship committee. The scholarships application process for The Ohio State University will be available for the upcoming school year at the end of each Autumn semester. For more information, visit https://vet.osu.edu/education/scholarships.
About Covetrus
Covetrus is a global animal-health technology and services company dedicated to empowering veterinary practice partners to drive improved health and financial outcomes. We are bringing together products, services, and technology into a single platform that connects our customers to the solutions and insights they need to work best. Our passion for the well-being of animals and those who care for them drives us to advance the world of veterinary medicine. Covetrus is headquartered in Portland, Maine with more than 5,500 employees serving over 100,000 customers around the globe. For more information about Covetrus visit https://covetrus.com/.
University of New England
The University of New England is Maine’s largest private university, featuring two distinctive campuses in Maine, a vibrant campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of innovative offerings online. Our hands-on, experiential approach empowers students to join the next generation of leaders in their chosen fields. We are home to Maine’s only medical and dental colleges, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care programs, and nationally recognized degree paths in the marine sciences, the natural and social sciences, business, the humanities, and the arts. UNE. Innovation for a Healthier Planet. Visit www.une.edu
The Ohio State University
Founded in 1885, The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine is ranked fourth in the nation and includes more than 1,000 faculty, staff and students. Uniquely located in a heavily populated urban area surrounded by a strong rural and agricultural base, the college’s Veterinary Medical Center is among the largest of its kind. Encompassing four hospitals and a large animal practice, the Veterinary Health System provides care for more than 72,000 canine, feline, equine and farm animal patients each year. Located on one of the few campuses in the country with seven health sciences colleges on one university campus, Veterinary Medicine students, researchers and faculty closely collaborate with partners in Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Optometry, Pharmacy and Public Health. The college admits up to 162 veterinary students per class, and offers a comprehensive graduate program in Veterinary and Comparative Medicine as well as a unique Master’s degree in Veterinary Public Health, in partnership with the College of Public Health. Learn more at vet.osu.edu.