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Longtime Northwell media relations director, Michelle Pinto, 72, dies

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Sharp, spirited and relentlessly compassionate.

Armed with these qualities, Michelle Pinto dedicated her career to carving out a legacy as a master storyteller, media strategist and unwavering advocate for those whose voices needed to be heard.

Pinto, a potent and legendary force in public relations, particularly on Long Island but also across metropolitan New York, died from natural causes last week. She was 72.

The Oakland Gardens, Queens, woman leaves behind a legacy of advocacy, integrity and unwavering dedication to her craft.

“When I think of my friend and Northwell Health colleague Michelle Pinto, I’m always struck by her boundless energy and fast action – especially on the public relations scene,” said Jason Molinet, Pinto’s media relations colleague at Northwell Health, where she spent the bulk of her career.

“Whether it was turning the news of the day into a medical story featuring one of our physicians on the nightly news or simply wrestling away the mic from a videographer to get a better soundbite, Michelle was confident, skilled and passionate. In my mind’s eye, she will forever be fighting for her ideas and pursuing the next media hit.”

Brought national attention to important healthcare stories

Michelle Pinto, 72, worked in media and public relations at Northwell Health for 28 years (Courtesy photo).

Much of Pinto’s success was built on an insatiable instinct for news that mattered. At Northwell, New York’s largest health system, she spent nearly three decades shaping headlines, amplifying voices and mentoring the next generation of media professionals.

She had been most recently the media relations director at Northwell. A former journalist who transitioned into public relations early in her career, Pinto became a guiding force in media strategy at Northwell, which will host a memorial service for Pinto on Feb. 20 from 4-6 p.m. in the second-floor executive conference room at 2000 Marcus Ave. in New Hyde Park.

She was instrumental in bringing national attention to critical healthcare stories, from breakthroughs in pediatric transplant surgery to advancements in cancer care. Among her most widely recognized efforts, she helped secure global coverage for Sandra Lindsay, the first person outside a clinical trial to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Moreover, Pinto’s impact extended far beyond high-profile media moments. She was a fierce advocate for pediatric health, mental health and women’s health, ensuring that the patients, families, and medical professionals at Northwell had their stories told with compassion and purpose, her colleagues attest.

Born on July 8, 1953, to Harry and Natalie Schneider, Pinto’s early years as the daughter of a U.S. Air Force officer took her to military bases across the United States and Canada before her family settled in Queens. She studied English and theater at Queens College, City University of New York, before embarking on a career in journalism.

Early on in her career, she covered the union beat for local Queens newspapers before transitioning into public relations, where her media savvy and deep network of contacts set her apart.

Friends and co-workers remember Pinto for her warmth, wit, and deep love of storytelling. She found joy in classic films, theater and a perfectly mixed cocktail, always ready with a sharp pun and a knowing smile.

Even in the face of profound personal loss, including the passing of her son, she remained steadfast in her mission to advocate for those in need, channeling her resilience into driving meaningful conversations about healthcare access and mental health awareness, her colleagues said.

Friend and mentor

For those who worked with her, Pinto was more than a media strategist — she was a mentor, a teacher, an advocate and a friend. Her ability to navigate the ever-changing media landscape with grace and determination inspired generations of public relations professionals and journalists.

“Michelle Pinto’s legacy is written not just in the headlines she helped craft, but also in the careers she nurtured, the stories she told, and the lives she touched,” reads an obituary released by Northwell. “She was, and always will be, a guiding light in the field of public relations — one who lived with passion, humor, and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better, more informed place.”

Top photo: Former Northwell Health media relations director Michelle Pinto has died. She was 72 (Courtesy photo).

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