New York City Mayor Eric Adams released a statement on Saturday, April 20, in tribute to City Hall employee, Pedro Frisneda, who has died. Frisnedo was recently appointed as the associate director of outreach with the Mayor’s Office for Ethnic & Community Media and previously served as deputy press secretary with NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). 

“Our hearts are heavy today at the loss of one of our team members, Pedro Frisneda,” Adams said. “Pedro had an exuberance and love for this city and was an integral part of the team at both City Hall and at the Department of Health. He worked tirelessly to connect different communities from across the five boroughs and was always willing to go the extra mile to help his colleagues.”

The mayor added, “He frequently told our team about how proud he was to work for the greatest city in the world after immigrating here from Venezuela. Our entire team is mourning today, and we are praying for his family, his friends, and all his loved ones. May he rest in peace.”

Frisnedo’s cause of death was not shared. On Friday, April 19, he had posted a photo on social media of himself working at City Hall with the accompanying caption, “My last assignment of the week! #lovemyjob.” 

Meanwhile, DOHMH Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan also released a statement, saying, “Pedro was a joyful beam of light who worked night and day to build bridges across languages and communities. During his time at the health department, he frequently spent weekends and evenings supporting vaccination clinics and health care enrollment programs, while always being at the ready to help his colleagues in the press corps.” 

The health commissioner added, “I and his Health Department family are devastated by this loss, while grateful for the years of friendship and service we shared. We will miss him dearly and we’re especially thinking of his family and loved ones at this tragic time.”

According to his Linkedin profile, Frisnedo was a journalism graduate of La Universidad Central de Venezuela. He had also studied at Stanly Community College, a public community college in Albemarle, North Carolina, at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism (CUNY) in Manhattan, and at The News Guild of New York.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Frisnedo had been honored with several awards over the course of his career, including the following:

• 2009 Gold Award. National Association of Hispanic Publications. Community Service/Health. El Diario/ImpreMedia.2009 Gold Award. National Association of Hispanic Publications. Community Service/Health. El Diario/ImpreMedia.
• 2011 2nd Place, Ippie Award. Best Feature “A new life, but with diabetes”.2011 2nd Place, Ippie Award. Best Feature “A new life, but with diabetes”.
• 2011 Gold Award. National Association of Hispanic Publications. Outstanding Multiple Article Series. El Diario/ImpreMedia.2011 Gold Award. National Association of Hispanic Publications. Outstanding Multiple Article Series. El Diario/ImpreMedia.
• 2012 Award for Excellence in Journalism. First Place. Spanish Newspaper. The Stuttering Foundation.2012 Award for Excellence in Journalism. First Place. Spanish Newspaper. The Stuttering Foundation.
• 2014 Gold Award. National Association of Hispanic Publications. Outstanding Health Section. El Diario/ImpreMedia.2014 Gold Award. National Association of Hispanic Publications. Outstanding Health Section. El Diario/ImpreMedia.
• 2016 Silver Award. National Association of Hispanic Publications. Outstanding Health Section. El Diario/ImpreMedia.2016 Silver Award. National Association of Hispanic Publications. Outstanding Health Section. El Diario/ImpreMedia.
• 2017 Nominees for the 28th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in the category of Outstanding Newspaper Article (Spanish Language)

Editor’s Note: Norwood News, along with the many other community and ethnic publications across the City, had occasion to interact with Pedro in his latest role with the Mayor’s Office for Community & Ethnic Media, and also during his time with the press office of the health department. We always found him to be very friendly, professional, and helpful. We extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends and colleagues. 

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