Balentine Appointed As New York Tech Provost

Jerry Balentine, D.O., has been appointed provost at New York Institute of Technology, adding to his existing role as executive vice president. He had been serving as interim provost since March 2022.

Reporting to New York Tech President Henry C. “Hank” Foley, Ph.D., Balentine will continue to evaluate new opportunities for university growth and expansion, especially in the area of faculty research, as well as oversee strategic resource allocation, among other responsibilities.

“Since he assumed the role of interim provost nearly a year ago, Balentine has proven to be an effective, resourceful, and collaborative academic leader, dedicated to students, faculty, and staff, as well as to New York Tech’s strategic vision,” Foley said.

Capatriti, the “Honest Olive Oil” Company is teaming up with Nassau BOCES’ Joseph M. Barry Career & Technical Education Center (Barry Tech) to offer students a unique opportunity to create the next national digital ad commercial for the company.

“Capatriti is proud of its long-standing commitment to Long Island and we are happy to help foster and recognize the potential in the arts in our backyard,” said Themis Kangadis, CEO of Capatriti. “We are excited

Balentine first joined the university in 1992, as an adjunct faculty member at New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM). In 2009, he was named chair of the emergency medicine division within the Department of Clinical Specialties and in 2010, was appointed faculty associate in the Center for Global Health. In 2014, he became vice president for medical affairs and global health, later taking on the role of dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine. During that time, NYITCOM grew its research output in several areas and added the university’s first Ph.D. program, a combined Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)/Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Biological and Medical Sciences. Most recently, he served as interim provost, chief operating officer, and executive vice president.

Foley appointed Balentine as co-chair of New York Tech’s long-term strategic planning initiative in 2018, setting in motion a planning process to develop a Strategic Three-Year Action Plan to ensure a prosperous and sustainable future for the university. Balentine’s distinguished career has included serving as chief medical officer and executive vice president of St. Barnabas Hospital and Healthcare System in the Bronx, and as a hospital medical director, emergency department director, and residency director.

“I am honored and excited to continue my work at New York Tech and work with our faculty, staff, and students to build on our tradition of education, innovation, and

Capatriti Teams Up With Nassau BOCES

to work with the next generation of entrepreneurs, and are confident Barry Tech students will rise to the occasion. We look forward to seeing their short film.”

Through March 2023, a group of four students will intern and collaborate with Capatriti’s marketing agency, Wonder Integrated Group (WonderINgroup) to create a short film that depicts Capatriti in a fun and engaging way. Students were given a list of criteria they should consider when creating their films, including: Capatriti’s honesty in its ingredients, production and quality control methods, and the company’s Long Island roots and tradition of giving back locally.

“Partnering high school media students with companies like WonderINgroup to work on the Capatriti brand reinforces the skills they are learning in the classroom,” said Robyn Cavalieri, video production and digital filmmaking teacher, Nassau BOCES. “They have a chance to get inspired research,” Balentine said.

A graduate of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Balentine completed his internship at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Philadelphia and his emergency medicine residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, where he also served as chief resident. He earned his undergraduate degree from McDaniel College in Westminster, MD.

—New York Institute of Technology by professionals in their field of study. A seed gets planted and it grows into real life experiences that they will take with them into their future endeavors.”

At the close of the program, Kangadis will give students a tour of the Capatriti facility and be involved in the presentations of the final commercial. There is the potential for the commercial to be aired across digital channels and beyond.

—Capatriti