February 9, 2021

 

Merck animal welfare lead awarded for contributions to animal health

 

 

Angela Baysinger, animal welfare lead at Merck Animal Health, was awarded the 4th Annual Feather in Her Cap Award from the Feather in Her Cap Association, Inc.

 

Dr. Baysinger was recognised for her significant contribution and achievements to the animal health industry, including mentoring and developing future women leaders.

 

More than 150 industry leaders virtually attended the Feather in Her Cap Award celebration last month. The event was designed to recognise women leaders in the animal health industry. For the first time this year, the Feather in Her Cap Association donated a US$5,000 gift to Dr. Baysinger's animal-related charity, the Pups4Patriots programme of the American Humane. She also received a gold feather brooch and a feathered hat.

 

Dr. Baysinger is an advocate for animals' health and welfare while enhancing public health and food supply safety. She graduated with a DVM degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia College of Veterinary Medicine, and subsequently earned a Master of Science degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in epidemiology. Dr. Baysinger continues her desire for lifelong learning as she works on her MS degree in animal welfare, ethics and law from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland.

 

"Angela Baysinger emulates the attributes that a recipient of the Feather in Her Cap award should have — a genuine, unconditional commitment to the animals she serves, true dedication and excitement for her work to advance animal welfare and well-being and an unwavering dedication to the betterment of the animal health industry," said Scott Bormann, senior vice president of North America commercial operations at Merck Animal Health.

 

Dr. Baysinger's 30-year career has included private practice, extension services and industry, including positions at Alpharma, Farmland Foods/Smithfield, Boehringer Ingelheim, PIC and Merck Animal Health.

 

She is also the author of numerous publications relating to the health and well-being of swine and cattle. Additionally, she has devoted her talent to mentoring others in the profession through internship programmes, providing exposure to animal agriculture in poultry, swine and cattle production systems, and continuing their animal welfare studies at multiple universities.

 

Dr. Baysinger takes great pride in her involvement with the AVMA Animal Welfare Judging and Assessment Competition (AWJAC), which exposes college students and practicing veterinarians to evaluation and the science of animal welfare of all species.

 

Last year, two Merck employees - Christine Royal, associate vice president of US companion animal and equine team; and Linnea Newman, director of global poultry technical services - were recognised as nominees for the award.

 

Additionally, Linda Lord, former academic and allied industry liaison lead for the veterinary and consumer affairs team, was recognised posthumously in 2020.

 

- Merck Animal Health