Tracy Morgan Honors Woodbridge Nurse Who Cared For Him

EDISON, NJ — A nurse who works at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute in Edison was honored this week by comedian Tracy Morgan, who she cared for after he was critically injured in a 2014 crash on the Jersey Turnpike.

Nurse Gina Domingo, RN, CRRN, works on the Brain Trauma unit at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute, where she has worked — incredibly — since 1990. She lives in Woodbridge.

Morgan was treated at JFK Johnson after he was seriously injured in the crash, and in a coma. He stayed at the Edison-based facility for an extended period of time, and Domingo was among the team of doctors, nurses and physical therapists who cared for the "Saturday Night Live" and "30 Rock" star.

“I’m so honored to receive this award,” Domingo said. “When you work with people with brain injuries, often they cannot communicate verbally. Sometimes they can’t move. The work is challenging. But when you can contribute to someone’s recovery, it’s just so rewarding.”

Morgan gave the woman the award this past Friday at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank, where he performed.

These days, Morgan has made his recovery the subject of much of his stand-up comedy.

“To see Tracy on stage ... making everyone laugh," said Domingo. "To see that kind of recovery in any of our patients is what motivates us every day.”

Every year since his accident, Morgan honors a nurse who works with brain-injured patients. Domingo is the third rehabilitation nurse to receive the Tracy Morgan Award for Excellence in Rehabilitation Nursing.

The fatal crash occurred in 2014, when a man driving a Walmart truck crashed into the back of a limo carrying comedians returning to New York City from a show. The crash occurred in a construction zone near Exit 8A on the New Jersey Turnpike.

James McNair, a fellow comedian, was killed and Morgan suffered a traumatic brain injury in the crash. Morgan previously settled a lawsuit with Walmart for an undisclosed amount of money over the incident.

As Patch reported, the man driving the Walmart truck pleaded guilty to second-degree vehicular homicide and four counts of third-degree aggravated assault, in a deal that avoided prison time.

An investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board found that the truck driver had not slept for the previous 28 hours before the crash occurred. The report also concluded he failed to slow down immediately before the crash, despite posted warning signs.

Morgan and other passengers in the limo were not wearing their seat belts when the crash occurred, which the NTSB said contributed to the severity of their injuries.

After Morgan’s recovery, he publicly thanked JFK Johnson nurses, physical therapists and other members of the team as well as physician, Brian Greenwald, M.D., the medical director of the JFK Johnson rehab center.

“Even today, Tracy’s amazing recovery continues to give hope to many of our patients — and also to their families,” Dr. Greenwald said. “And to see him returning to accomplish all he wants in life ... that’s what we want for all of our patients.”