Mother-daughter nursing duo gets sweet 'Today' surprise from Vols football coach Josh Heupel
A mother-daughter nursing duo from Tennessee had no idea what they were getting into when they appeared on NBC’s “Today” show Friday morning.
"Today" did a Mother's Day story about Robin Black and her daughter Piper to highlight their health care work in Erin, a small rural community with limited medical care access and resources. The sweet segment also kicked off National Nurses Week, and it brought a tear to host Hoda Kotb's eye.
But, as these shows tend to go, there was a great twist at the end of the segment when the mother and daughter were interviewed live in the "Today" New York City studio.
A video of Tennessee football head coach Josh Heupel popped on the screen and invited the ladies and their family to cheer on the Vols when the team takes on Kentucky at Neyland Stadium on Oct. 29.
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The family's Tennessee love runs deep. Piper will receive her doctor of nursing degree from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center next week. Her mother is a University of Tennessee College of Nursing alumna, too.
.@HarrySmith is helping us celebrate an inspiring mother-daughter nurse duo. 🩺 pic.twitter.com/K57isWhwth
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) May 6, 2022
They got the honor because their dedication is making a huge difference in Middle Tennessee.
Robin has been a nurse practitioner in Erin for 29 years and now works side-by-side with Piper, at Hilcrest Clinic.
“I’ve literally spent my whole life wanting to be just like her,” Piper said of her mom and hero.
The duo also received $1,000 worth of cleaning products from Clorox Healthcare and an additional $10,000 for upgrades and renovation costs at the clinic.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Vols coach Josh Heupel surprises Tennessee nurses on 'Today' show
