TAMPA, Fla., — AdventHealth Dade City celebrated the 2025 Nurse of the Year, Tangy Small, at the annual “Nurse of The Year Ceremony” on Monday, May 12. Small was surprised at the ceremony with her award of “Nurse of The Year” alongside a group of wonderful and dedicated nurses who exemplify AdventHealth’s mission of extending the healing ministry of Christ.
Small, RN, of Tampa, is known for her welcoming hugs and calming spirit throughout the hospital. For the past three years, she has cared for patients who are preparing to undergo surgery, quelling their anxiety through her commitment to whole-person care.
“She is friendly and welcoming. She offers to pray with patients and connects with people very easily as it relieves people’s anxiety as they head into surgery,” said Amanda Martin, chief nursing officer for AdventHealth Dade City.
“To say she goes above and beyond doesn’t even explain the person or nurse she is. She cares for everyone. She is the type of nurse that will go to the cafeteria and get food for the family that is waiting, to ensure they’ve eaten,” said Nicole Hair, RN, director of surgical services at AdventHealth Dade City. “Everybody she takes care of comments on how wonderful she is. She is genuinely loved by the entire hospital. “
Small didn’t allow being a single mother and caretaker of her parents deter her from furthering her education. She became a registered nurse in 2011, through AdventHealth’s Guild benefit, which covers an employee’s tuition for higher education. In 2024, she received her Bachelors of Science degree in Nursing.
Small received a DAISY Foundation Award in February 2024 for accompanying a young man to the cafeteria on his birthday and paying for his lunch, as he waited for his mother to come out of surgery. A committee of nursing leadership utilized a blind selection process to review the monthly Daisy award winners over the past year to select the Nurse of the Year winner.