New York Institute of Technology

On October 30, senior students from New York Institute of Technology's nursing program participated in a food drive to benefit Long Island Cares. The community service was done in conjunction with the Nurses Association of the Counties of Long Island (NACLI), with nursing students donating groceries and money to "adopt a family" for Thanksgiving. In total, the students contributed more than $500.00 on NACLI's behalf and over 25 bags of food.

Medical students from New York Institute of Technology recently helped to launch the Teddy Bear Hospital at the 2024 Long Island Fall Festival. The Teddy Bear Hospital introduces elementary and middle school students to the medical field, helping to ease anxiety about doctor visits while teaching exam skills on stuffed animals.

In September 2021, New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) announced the latest honorees for its Positive STRIDES recognition program. The program recognizes outstanding members of the NYITCOM community whose kindness has improved the lives of others.

New York Institute of Technology students are helping local residents get vaccinated through a volunteer effort known as The New York Tech Medical Outreach Program: COVID-19 Vaccine Assistance Group. While vaccination is key to stopping the spread of COVID-19, the process of registering for a vaccine can be confusing, especially for non-English speakers and those without access to technology. That's where the group's volunteers come in. Students assist New York residents, as well as some New York City workers who live out-of-state, with registering for vaccine appointments. The volunteers are responsible for interviewing patients and are trained to answer questions regarding the advantages and side effects of all available COVID-19 vaccines. They also assist people in choosing the best vaccine for their circumstances based on existing health issues, work and school time constraints, and other common challenges. "We help people who do not have access to computers, non-English speakers, hearing and visually impaired, and people who are not tech-savvy," says Laura Friedland, senior specialist at New York Tech's Department of Nursing, who launched the volunteer program. "For people with language barriers, we've helped with translations, and for those who cannot afford printers, we've printed numerous tickets. We've also raised money to provide transportation for families who cannot afford transportation to the site." During the last weekend in April, some volunteers assisted underserved communities in Port Washington, N.Y., not far from the Long Island campus. In collaboration with the office of New York State Assembly Member Gina Sillitti, students went door-to-door, registering residents for an upcoming pop-up neighborhood vaccination event. To date, the New York Tech Medical Outreach Program: COVID-19 Vaccine Assistance Group has registered more than 6,200 people across all five boroughs of New York City, Nassau County, Suffolk County, and Westchester County. The group has also assisted New Jersey residents who work in New York City.

When COVID-19 ravaged supplies of personal protective equipment and ventilators in the spring, medical students from New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) assisted in critical efforts to provide hospitals with the necessary gear. As impending shortages loomed, the medical students supported faculty and partners of NYITCOM's Center for Biomedical Innovation in bridging the gap between supply and demand. Adhering to National Institutes of Health (NIH) standards, the team used 3-D printers to produce ventilator Y-splitters, as well as other prototypes and equipment.

On October 18, New York Institute of Technology launched its first Community Free Clinic (CFC) session at The Pillars in Harlem, NY. New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine students volunteered at the community health care clinic, screening patients for conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. In partnership with The Pillars, a New York City-based substance abuse recovery center, the CFC offers free monthly screenings, as well as education sessions. Special attention is paid to medical issues that are prevalent in the Harlem community, such as diabetes and high blood pressure. The clinic is part of the Building Resilient Communities initiative between New York Institute of Technology and Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement (HCCI), which encourages collaboration and programming that benefits Harlem's Bradhurst community and New York Tech students.

New York Institute of Technology recognizes spring semester's Consultants for the Public Good, who work individually and in teams to carry out projects for local non-profit and government organizations. Consultants are paired with community groups that need their skills with support from NYIT's Office of International and Experiential Education.

Six NYIT students mentored 38 high school and middle school students as part of the E-Cycle Program, sponsored by the Entrepreneurship and Technology Innovation Center (ETIC) at New York Institute of Technology. Students from Walt Whitman High School and Academy Charter Middle School learned about the value of recycling and the U.N.'s Sustainable Development Goals. The E-Cycle Program focused on U.N. Sustainable Goal 6: to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

On April 19, medical students from New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University (NYITCOM at A-State) participated in the second annual "Shave to Save" event. The event raised more than $8,000 for the St. Baldrick's Foundation, the world's largest private funder of childhood cancer research. The medical students solicited donations from friends and family. Many of those who reached their fundraising goal shaved their heads, while others cut their hair short and donated their locks to organizations that make wigs for cancer patients. According to the National Pediatric Foundation, only 4 percent of federal government cancer research funding goes towards pediatric cancer studies, so events like Shave to Save are incredibly important to fill the funding gap.

NYIT student-athletes braved the Atlantic Ocean on Super Bowl Sunday for a good cause. With their teammates on hand for support, nearly 50 student-athletes took the plunge in Long Beach, N.Y. In total, they donated more than $1,500 while participating in the annual event, which benefits Make-A-Wish.

NYIT recognizes fall semester's Consultants for the Public Good, who work individually and in teams to carry out projects for local non-profit and government organizations. Consultants are paired with community groups that need their skills with support from NYIT's Office of International and Experiential Education.

Two medical students ran this year's New York City Marathon and raised $100 for Parkinson's disease treatment for each of the 26.2 miles ran. Through crowdfunding, NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) students Samantha Gottlieb and Lauren Granat not only met their goal of $2,620, they exceeded it with a total of 74 donations following the race.