AASV Foundation Announces Recipient of 2013 Hogg Scholarship

March 13, 2013 — 

Dr. Meghann Pierdon was named the 2013 recipient of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians Foundation Hogg Scholarship. The scholarship was presented by Mary Lou Hogg during the association’s annual meeting in San Diego, CA.

Established in 2008, the scholarship is named for Dr. Alex Hogg who was a leader in swine medicine and pursued a master’s degree in veterinary pathology after 20 years in a mixed-animal practice. The scholarship is awarded annually to an AASV member who has been accepted into a qualified graduate program to further his or her education after years as a swine practitioner.

Dr. Pierdon earned her Veterinary Medical Degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 2005 and is currently pursuing a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania investigating strategies to improve welfare when mixing sows into groups. Dr. Pierdon began her veterinary career as a staff veterinarian with Country View Family Farms and was a partner in a private swine practice before joining Elanco Animal Health as a Swine Technical Consultant.

Dr. Pierdon plans to use the $5000 scholarship to support her pursuit of board certification in the newly formed American College of Animal Welfare. This college will generate a group of experts that will be looked to by consumers and food groups for information on how to improve animal welfare. It is critical that the voice of the swine veterinarian be represented. Once she achieves board certification, Dr. Pierdon plans to pursue a career path that will let her continue to do research as well as use consultation to bring expertise on animal welfare to producers throughout the swine industry.

When asked about the significance of the scholarship, Dr. Pierdon said, “My love of science and animals led me to pursue a career in veterinary medicine and board certification in the American college of Animal Welfare will allow me to merge my passion for animal welfare and science. My goal is to help the swine industry use science to tackle the animal welfare issues that face us now and will continue into the future. No single issue is as pressing or important to the future of our industry as animal welfare, and I hope that I can honor Dr. Hogg’s legacy by advancing this worthy goal. I am honored to receive this prestigious award.”