Nurse Honored After Saving Fan at Hockey Game
A Southern Hills Hospital nurse received a national award for her life-saving response at T-Mobile Arena.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Nursing Jobs
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Suzie Macis, a nurse at Southern Hills Hospital since 2007, was honored by HCA Healthcare with the 2026 Excellence in Nursing - Compassionate Care Award. The recognition follows her emergency response to Jeannie Cunningham, who suffered cardiac arrest at T-Mobile Arena in December 2025.
Why it matters
The award highlights the critical impact of bystander CPR and AED access in local public spaces. It also marks a rare instance where a patient-provider connection was re-established through community fan groups after an emergency event.
Suzie Macis performed 10 minutes of chest compressions and used an AED twice to restore the pulse of a fan in cardiac arrest. Macis has been a staff member at Southern Hills Hospital since 2007.
The players
Suzie Macis
A nurse at Southern Hills Hospital who received the 2026 Excellence in Nursing - Compassionate Care Award.
Jeannie Cunningham
A local resident who survived a cardiac arrest event at T-Mobile Arena with the assistance of Macis.
HCA Healthcare
The healthcare organization that awarded Macis for her life-saving actions.
Southern Hills Hospital
The local hospital where Macis has practiced nursing since 2007.
The details
At a game in December 2025, Macis performed life-saving interventions on Jeannie Cunningham after the fan collapsed. Following the incident, a friend of the patient located the nurse through a fan group post. HCA Healthcare presented the award to Macis in Nashville this October to honor the intervention.
Timeline
2007: Suzie Macis began her employment at Southern Hills Hospital.
December 2025: Jeannie Cunningham experienced cardiac arrest at T-Mobile Arena.
October 2026: The nursing award was presented in Nashville.
Beyond the Strip
This event follows the standard established by the American Heart Association's Chain of Survival protocols for emergency response. It reinforces the necessity of public AED placement in high-traffic valley venues like T-Mobile Arena.
The incident serves as a practical reminder for valley residents to identify AED locations at large public arenas. Those involved plan to attend a future Golden Knights game together following the successful resuscitation.
The takeaway
The event underscores the vital importance of bystander training and AED availability at Las Vegas entertainment venues. Residents should monitor for future public CPR training opportunities offered by local hospitals or the Red Cross.
Further reading
For more on the local medical profession, visit our Nursing Jobs section.
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