Michelle Pinto, a former journalist and longtime Northwell Health publicist who was known for putting her heart in everything she did, died of natural causes at her home in Oakland Gardens, Queens. She was 71.
Among the countless stories that she helped usher into the news were coverage of medical breakthroughs, rare pediatric treatments, and the story of Sandra Lindsay, the Northwell nurse who was the first person outside of a clinical trial to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
“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,” her colleague Jason Molinet, the senior director of media relations for Northwell, wrote in tribute to his colleague. “I was stunned by her passing … In my mind’s eye, she will forever be fighting for her ideas and pursuing the next media hit.”
Born July 8, 1953, to Harry and Natalie Schneider, Pinto was the only child of a U.S. Air Force officer whose family moved around military bases, including in Alaska and Newfoundland, before they settled in Queens. She graduated from Queens College in 1972 with a degree in English and theater before earning her master’s degree in English and Shakespeare from the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut.
Pinto got her start in the media industry working as a reporter and editor at local publications, including the Queens Courier, before she joined Northwell nearly three decades ago. She was remembered for her vibrant personality, quick wit, and warmth in advocating for better healthcare access, mental health awareness, and systemic change.
“She was a true maven of the craft, known for her unmatched media savvy, an enviable Rolodex of top-tier contacts, and a gift for turning the ordinary into the extraordinary,” Northwell wrote in its obituary. “At Northwell, Michelle became a guiding force in healthcare communications, elevating stories that mattered. She was a champion for pediatric health, mental health, and women’s health, using her platform to amplify voices that needed to be heard.”
Pinto is predeceased by her son, Michael. A service is scheduled for 4-6 p.m. Feb. 2o at the main office of Northwell Health, located at 2000 Marcus Ave. in New Hyde Park.
