Gina Marsh is a Nevada nurse of 22 years. She never imagined she’d be saving a toddler’s life within minutes after completing her shift as a clinical supervisor in the Surgical Services department at Henderson Hospital.

Stopped at a red light, she noticed a Henderson Police officer had pulled a child from a vehicle and was performing back thrusts. Sensing the urgency, Gina quickly made a U-turn, parked, identified herself as a nurse, and offered to help.

“I realized the child was choking, so I stepped in,” said Gina.

Seeing that the toddler was unresponsive and his lips had turned blue, she performed a finger sweep inside his mouth. Within moments, he began breathing again and was rushed to a children’s hospital for further care.

For months, Gina often wondered about the little boy and his family, unsure of their names or what happened after that fateful day.

Later, during the Southern Nevada Healthcare Heroes dinner, Nevada Business Magazine honored Gina with the Healthcare Heroes Award – and orchestrated a heartfelt surprise. While receiving the award, Gina was reunited with the young boy she had saved. 

As she crouched down to meet him properly for the first time, the moment reaffirmed the profound impact a nurse can have, not just in hospitals, but anywhere their skills are needed most.