AVMA selects 2022-2023 congressional fellow

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) tapped Jacob Merryman, DVM, to participate in the 2022-2023 AVMA Fellowship program. Through this program Merryman will spend a year in Washington, DC, serving as a member for either a congressional office or committee. He will help shape and influence legislation across multiple policy issues as a scientific advisor.

"The AVMA is excited about Dr Merryman's opportunity to bring his unique perspective of veterinary medicine to shape public policy, gain knowledge about the political process, and work with congressional offices on issues important to the public and the veterinary profession," said José Arce, DVM, AVMA president in an organizational release.¹

Merryman is a 2013 graduate of the University of California, Davis, in 2013 and received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2019 from Western University of Health Sciences. Then in 2022, he earned his master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Minnesota.

According to the release, Merryman currently works at a small animal hospital in California with an emphasis on reproduction, public health, and exotic animals.¹ He also served as an academic prosector in southern California preparing anatomic models to help veterinary students to learn about animal anatomy.

Merryman is a former US Department of Agriculture extern that will help him bring firsthand public policy experience. He also received training on managing transboundary and emerging animal diseases that threaten public and economy healthy and how to communicate this with the public during his time in the Smith-Kilborne Program.¹

Reference

AVMA announces 2022-2023 congressional fellow. News release. American Veterinary Medical Association. June 7, 2022. Accessed June 8, 2022.