By Jon Johnson
CLIFTON — The United States Postal Service will officially honor Clifton Post Office Retail Associate Mary Schwarz on Tuesday, Sept. 22, recognizing her swift, life-saving actions that helped revive an 8-month-old infant in medical distress.
Schwarz, a former registered nurse who transitioned to a postal clerk role, was on duty July 11 when customer Kylie Vega brought her daughter, Nova, to the counter. Noticing the child was unresponsive, limp, and exhibiting signs of respiratory distress, Schwarz immediately stepped into action, using her medical training to perform CPR and back thrusts inside the post office.
“I was just helping out a customer, and she asked me to pause because she needed to tend to her baby,” Schwarz previously told the Gila Herald. “That struck me as odd because her baby was very quiet… I had known this customer because I’ve been here for a while, and we knew that her baby was in and out of the hospital.”
When Vega lifted Nova out, Schwarz saw that the child looked limp and slightly blue.
“The mom’s like, ‘There’s something wrong with my baby.’ I just immediately went into healthcare worker mode,” Schwarz recalled. “I told her, ‘I’ll be right there.’ I grabbed the baby from her… I assessed the baby; there was no brachial pulse, there were no respirations. Baby was trying to move air, but it wasn’t working.”
Recognizing the urgency, Lt. Shari Aguilar of the Clifton Police Department joined Schwarz to assist, ultimately using her patrol vehicle to transport Nova and Schwarz directly to the hospital while Schwarz continued chest compressions en route. Emergency medical responders met them at the bay before Nova was stabilized and airlifted to Banner – University Medical Center in Tucson.
Nova, who was born with a congenital heart defect, subsequently underwent successful open-heart surgery to repair a hole in her heart and has since been recovering.
To commemorate Schwarz’s bravery, composure under pressure, and dedication to her community, USPS officials, local emergency personnel, and community members will gather at the Clifton Post Office on Sept. 22 for a formal recognition ceremony.
Reflecting on the terrifying moments at the post office, Kylie previously expressed overwhelming gratitude for Schwarz, Lt. Aguilar, and the emergency care team who stepped up when every second counted.
“I am extremely grateful that she was there that day. Everything happened so fast, and it was a lot,” Kylie said. “I can’t really think of much to say other than I am very grateful for all of them. They all treated her so well… I appreciate everything Mary did, the EMTs, everyone at the clinic, and the flight nurses. They were just all great, and if I could, I would thank them every day because without them—especially Mary—I don’t even want to think about what would have happened . . . It’s been crazy with this little girl, but she’s so loved and has a ton of support here and back at home.”
As for Schwarz, who used to teach CPR classes, muscle memory and pure instinct carried her through the ordeal.
“It happened so fast. I really didn’t have time to think,” Schwarz said. “I taught CPR for years, so it really was all just instinct at that point — muscle memory.”
