Darla Newton starts to tear up as soon as she starts talking about Vicki Underhill, RN, a nurse in the Chest Pain Unit at Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center.

"If I had any questions, she answered them. That showed she was very caring. I think her peppy personality would make any patient feel better. She does make a person feel less stressed. She tries so hard to make everyone feel that everything is going to be ok,'' Newton said. "She even makes patients feel like she is a real friend and not just a nurse. I am so proud to say she was my nurse.''

Underhill, who has worked at the hospital since 2012, received the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses on Thursday for her outstanding work as a nurse. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation's program to recognize the superhuman efforts nurses perform every day. The California-based foundation was established by family members of J. Patrick Barnes in his memory as a way to thank nurses for the compassion that was shown Barnes before his death in 1999.

"We here at Heart of Florida are proud to be among the healthcare organizations participating in the DAISY Award program,'' said Ann Barnhart, CEO of Heart of Florida. "Nurses are heroes every day. It's important that our nurses know their work is highly valued and the DAISY Foundation provides a way for us to do that.''

Nurses are nominated for the quarterly award by patients, families and colleagues. Underhill was honored during a special event at the hospital Thursday where Newton was a surprise guest.
Erika Rojas, a surgical orthopedic nurse, and Marye T. Anglin, a medical telemetry nurse, were also nominated for the DAISY Award for the outstanding care they give their patients.

To learn more about inpatient or outpatient services, community education, or to find a physician, visit www.HeartOfFlorida.com