NYITCOM Named a Healthy and Fit Workplace

Pictured from left: Long Island Business News associate publisher Ali Jabbour and NYITCOM Dean Jerry Balentine at the Achievement in Health Care awards ceremony.

On December 10, NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) received a “Healthy & Fit Workplace Award” at the annual Long Island Business News Achievement in Health Care awards ceremony at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury, N.Y. The recognition was given to the medical school for its ongoing commitment and dedication to promoting employee wellness.

“As a medical school, we train future physicians to look after the health of others, so it’s important that our faculty and staff serve as healthy examples for our medical students,” said Jerry Balentine, D.O., dean of NYITCOM and vice president of health sciences and medical affairs, who also received an Achievement Award for Education in Health Care. “We’re thrilled that our efforts to encourage mindfulness, nutrition, and physical fitness have been recognized and we look forward to continuing our work to promote the well-being of our campus community.”

Honorees for the Healthy & Fit Workplace awards were selected based on physical activity and/or challenges, nutrition counseling, smoking cessation help, preventive care education, stress management, and volunteerism. NYITCOM initiatives such as Running and Walking with the Dean, contributed to the award. Other contributing factors included healthy food options and calorie counts in Riland Cafe, frequent health and nutrition seminars, and the campus-wide Weight Watchers program.

The Long Island Business News annual Achievements in Health Care Awards aims to recognize excellence, promote innovation, contribute to the enhancement of the value and quality of health care and, ultimately, recognize the people and organizations whose tireless work, contributions and dedication to healing and caring ensure the well-being of everyone on Long Island.