New veterinary scholarship accepting applications

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The American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) announced that it has partnered with Chewy Health to provide scholarships to third-year veterinary students. The Chewy Veterinary Leaders Program will present 15 students with $20,000 paid directly to their educational institution through the AAVMC.

“We are passionate about fostering a healthy culture in veterinary medicine and our scholarship program uniquely focuses on the opportunity to support veterinarians as they are navigating the transition from being a student to a doctor,” expressed Mita Malhotra, president of Chewy Health, in an organizational release.¹

“Our goal is to enable our participants to develop a solid foundation as they are building their practices. We hope these new leaders will inspire even more caregivers to enter the profession,” she continued.

According to the release, the new scholarship program aims to increase representation within the profession by working with underserved groups and communities who may not have access to resources like these.¹ Along with financial assistance, the participants will receive resources to help them in their final years of school and into their career as a veterinary professional. The program combines financial assistance, professional development, coaching to support mental health, and the transition from school to practice helping students be ready to enter the workforce once they graduate.

Students awarded the scholarships will also be invited to monthly cohort conversations facilitated by MentorVet, a Chewy partner. MentorVet will be a resource for students to help them navigate the final half of their education. Students will also be invited to their local Chewy hub for networking, leadership training, and more. Once they graduate, students will then be sponsored to join MentorVet Leap, a 6-month program for early career veterinarians that offers mentorship and a professional development curriculum.¹ Each student is also invited to join Chewy Veterinary leaders’ alumni network for any future opportunities.

“We are excited to offer this new scholarship opportunity in partnership with Chewy Health. This funding will be instrumental in helping us further education and representation that can meaningfully advance the veterinary profession,” said Andrew T. Maccabe, DVM, CEO of AAVMC.¹

In order to be eligible, students must be attending an AAVMC member institution, interested in pursuing small animal medicine, and nominated by their institution. Each submission will be assessed based on their commitment to leadership development, academic achievement, broader community service record, and established financial need. Institutions interested in submitting a student must nominate that student by January 15, 2024.

Reference

AAVMC Partners with Chewy Health to Launch New Veterinary Scholarship. News release. Chewy. November 6, 2023. Accessed November 7, 2023.