Eight Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System nurses are among the Palmetto State’s top 100 nurses. 

Nurses Nicki Ivey, Rachel Staub, Teresa Shands, Jennifer Wells, Trevor K. Setzer, Tiffany Vaughn, Dana Hampton Woodson and Kimberly W. Valenti earned top honors through South Carolina’s premier nursing award program—an achievement that highlights excellence across the profession.

These distinguished nurses were celebrated for their dedicated services, exemplary leadership, and exceptional patient care across a wide range of service areas.

Nicki Ivey, BSN, RN 

Nicki Ivey brings nearly two decades of nursing experience and a deep sense of purpose to her work at Spartanburg Regional. She currently serves as the primary nurse in the cardiopulmonary and congestive heart failure clinic at Union Medical Center, where she has spent the past two and a half years.  

In this role, Ivey prepares patients for both nuclear and non-nuclear stress tests, assists the nurse practitioner during procedures, applies cardiac event monitors and ensures patients are confident in using them. Her calm presence and attention to detail help patients feel supported during what can be an anxious time. 

In the heart failure clinic, Ivey plays a vital educational role, empowering patients to better manage their conditions. She provides in-depth teaching on the causes, signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure, emphasizing the importance of self-management. Ivey also educates patients on diet modifications, fluid restrictions and medication management, helping them understand how daily choices affect their heart health. 

“I knew from an early age nursing was my calling. I have always loved helping people and making a difference," Ivey said. “I can have a direct impact on people's lives, often on their worst days. Nursing isn't just a job; it's a true purpose.” 

Rachel Staub, MSN, BSN, RN-BC 

Rachel Staub has played a vital dual role as an accreditation coordinator and nurse educator for the inpatient rehabilitation unit at Spartanburg Medical Center – Mary Black Campus and most recently became nurse manager. Staub is responsible for overseeing regulatory readiness, staff development and quality improvement initiatives that support safe, evidence‑based patient care. She manages accreditation compliance by monitoring standards, conducting audits, coordinating surveys and ensuring policies and practices align with both organizational expectations and external regulatory requirements. Her work helps ensure the rehabilitation unit remains survey‑ready while maintaining a strong focus on quality and safety. 

As a nurse educator, Staub is deeply invested in the growth and success of her colleagues. She assesses learning needs, develops and delivers clinical education, supports onboarding and competency validation, and mentors staff to strengthen clinical skills and professional confidence. Her approach blends structure with encouragement, fostering an environment where nurses feel supported as they grow in their roles. Staub’s passion for education and development directly enhances team performance and contributes to positive patient outcomes. 

Staub’s healthcare journey began at Mary Black, where she worked as a patient care assistant for four years before transitioning into her registered nurse role. After gaining valuable experience in bedside nursing, she expanded her professional perspective as a travel nurse while pursuing advanced education. During this time, she earned her Master of Science in nursing with a focus on clinical nurse leadership and achieved board certification in medical‑surgical nursing. After the birth of her son, Staub and her husband returned home to Greer, allowing her to come full circle and continue her career at the place where her nursing journey began. 

“I love nursing because it allows me to help people while constantly challenging myself to grow,” Staub said. “No matter the role, showing up each day to support patients and my team is what brings me purpose and joy.” 

Teresa Shands, BSN 

Teresa Shands serves as the nurse manager for the medical telemetry and emergency departments at Union Medical Center, where she has been in her current role for the past three years. In this position, she provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for both units, ensuring patients receive safe, compassionate and evidence‑based care. Shands is deeply committed to fostering a collaborative and supportive environment, empowering nurses to excel professionally while delivering exceptional care to the community they serve. 

With 25 years of service at Spartanburg Regional, Shands brings a wealth of experience and stability to her leadership role. Her extensive background as an experienced nurse leader allows her to balance clinical excellence with thoughtful operational decision‑making. She leads with a focus on teamwork, accountability and patient‑centered care, guiding her teams through the complexities of both acute medical and emergency settings. 

Shands’ commitment to nursing is reinforced by strong professional engagement and education. She is an active member of both the Emergency Nurses Association and the American Nurses Association, reflecting her dedication to staying connected to best practices and the evolving healthcare landscape. 

“Health care is always evolving,” she said. “The joy here is that nursing is never stagnant — every day brings a new challenge, a new skill, a new clinical insight, and new ways to grow professionally and personally.” 

Jennifer Wells, MSN, RN 

Jennifer Wells serves as the director of nursing and clinical services for Spartanburg Regional Home Health, a role she has held for the past eight years. In this position, Wells provides strategic leadership not only for the nursing team, but also for medical social work and all rehabilitation services. She is directly responsible for patient care quality, patient experience, and associate engagement, and she consistently analyzes key performance indicators to identify opportunities for process improvement. Her leadership ensures that care delivered in the home setting is safe, effective and patient‑centered. 

Wells’ career with Spartanburg Regional spans 25 years, reflecting her loyalty, dedication and deep understanding of the organization and community it serves. Throughout her time in Home Health, she steadily advanced into leadership roles, serving as team leader, nurse manager and ultimately director of nursing and clinical services in 2018. Each role has allowed her to expand her influence and impact, strengthening clinical operations while maintaining a strong focus on compassionate, high‑quality care. 

She has built a solid foundation in both clinical practice and leadership, equipping her to guide multidisciplinary teams and support excellence across Home Health services. 

“I enjoy advancing patient care outcomes and strengthening community health by mentoring and coaching clinical associates to provide high-quality care. That care must extend beyond traditional clinical interventions to help bridge gaps in patient care and empower patients,” Wells said. 

Trevor K. Setzer, RN 

Trevor Setzer serves as a charge nurse on the 3BV medical‑surgical telemetry unit at Pelham Medical Center, bringing 16 years of nursing experience to his role. He supervises a 20‑bed unit, overseeing the daily operations typical of a complex hospital environment. His responsibilities include managing admissions, discharges and transfers; coordinating medication administration; ensuring appropriate staffing; and collaborating closely with physicians, case management and multiple hospital departments to support effective discharge planning and continuity of care. Setzer's steady leadership helps keep unit operations running smoothly while maintaining a strong focus on patient safety and quality outcomes. 

Before transitioning fully into the hospital setting, Setzer built a diverse and robust clinical foundation. His background includes serving as a charge nurse at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center and working as a nationally registered paramedic for the state of North Carolina. These early experiences in emergency and prehospital medicine sharpened his assessment skills and ability to perform under pressure—strengths that continue to serve him well in his current role. He is also a member of the Academy of Medical‑Surgical Nurses, reflecting his commitment to professional excellence and continued growth. 

For Setzer, nursing is deeply rooted in service, faith and community. He values being present for patients during their most vulnerable moments and finds purpose in encouraging and instructing fellow nurses as they work on the front lines. 

“I enjoy being a nurse because it offers me an intimate opportunity to serve others as I glorify God,” Setzer said. “Nursing allows me the opportunity to meet the needs of patients in their most vulnerable times, and I also enjoy encouraging and instructing nurses as they serve on the front lines.” 

Tiffany Vaughn, BSN, RN 

Tiffany Vaughn serves as the heart failure nurse navigator in the Heart Failure Clinic at Spartanburg Medical Center, a role she has held for the past three and a half years. In this position, she rounds on hospitalized patients admitted with heart failure, providing education about their diagnosis and introducing them to the services of the Heart Failure Clinic. Vaughn works diligently to schedule follow‑up appointments within seven days of discharge, aligning with American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines standards. Her role is instrumental in improving continuity of care while helping reduce 30‑day hospital readmissions, emergency department visits and missed follow‑up appointments. 

With 16 years of nursing experience, Vaughn brings a deep well of clinical knowledge and cardiovascular expertise to her work. Her background includes caring for patients on a coronary step‑down unit, inpatient stroke and orthopedic rehabilitation, and the coronary care unit. She also worked as an office nurse for a cardiologist who helped develop the hospital’s Structural Heart Program—experience that strengthened her understanding of both acute and chronic cardiac care. Vaughn’s dedication and impact have been recognized with a DAISY Award, and she was previously nominated for the Palmetto Gold Nurse Award in 2024 and 2025. 

Growing up, Vaughn spent a great deal of time at the Heart Center with relatives who faced significant cardiac conditions. Observing the nurses who cared for her family — and asking thoughtful questions along the way — sparked her interest in health care and reinforced her desire to help others. 

“Being the heart failure nurse navigator, this role allows me to advocate for patients, which I enjoy the most. One must look at the whole picture to truly advocate for what a patient needs,” Vaughn said. “I also enjoy meeting patients where they are. It's important to be able to get on a patient's level for them to get a true understanding of their condition.” 

Dana Hampton Woodson, RN, ADN 

Dana Woodson is a dedicated member of the CMC – Center for Family Medicine – Peachview team, where she has served for the past three years. In her role, Woodson is responsible for triaging patients and managing both urgent and nonurgent phone messages to ensure timely and appropriate follow‑up. Her day‑to‑day responsibilities also include assisting physicians with intra‑articular injections and procedures, performing blood draws and handling prior authorizations for medications and treatments. Her attention to detail and organization help keep the practice running smoothly and efficiently. 

Woodson also plays a key role in care coordination and administrative support within the clinic. She completes workers’ compensation and FMLA forms in a timely manner, orders supplies for the practice and schedules appointments for local high school athletes, helping ensure continuity of care for students in the community. Her ability to balance clinical care with complex administrative tasks makes her a valuable resource for both the medical team and the patients they serve. 

With 14 years of nursing experience, Woodson brings a well‑rounded perspective to family medicine. Throughout her career, she has gained experience across multiple areas, including long‑term care, urgent care, family practice, and the division of surgery. This diverse background allows her to adapt easily to patient needs and contribute meaningfully across a variety of clinical situations. 

“I enjoy getting to know different people and learning something new every day because things are constantly changing in the world of medicine,” Woodson said. 

Kimberly W. Valenti, MSN, APRN, FNP-C 

Kimberly Valenti serves as a structural heart nurse practitioner in the cardiac cath lab and structural heart program at Spartanburg Medical Center, bringing nine years of experience in advanced practice nursing and more than 18 years in health care overall. In her role, Valenti guides patients through every phase of their structural heart journey, from initial evaluation and diagnostic workup through post‑procedure recovery and follow‑up care. She works closely within a multidisciplinary team to develop individualized treatment plans and ensures that patients and families are supported with compassionate, evidence‑based care during often complex and life‑changing cardiac decisions. 

Valenti’s path at Spartanburg Regional reflects long‑standing dedication and professional growth. She joined SRHS in 2004 as an exercise specialist in cardiac rehabilitation before returning to school to pursue nursing. In 2008, she began working as a registered nurse in the cardiovascular recovery unit (CVRU), gaining extensive experience in acute cardiac care. After graduating from nurse practitioner school in 2015, she practiced in internal medicine in Spartanburg for two years before joining the structural heart team, where her clinical expertise and patient‑centered approach continue to make a meaningful impact. 

Valenti chose nursing because she wanted a career grounded in compassion, trust and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference during patients’ most vulnerable moments. She values the ability to combine science, critical thinking, and human connection to positively affect outcomes and experiences. 

“What I enjoy most about my current role is the opportunity to advocate for patients and guide them through complex health journeys with knowledge, empathy and reassurance,” she said. “Becoming a nurse practitioner has allowed me to fulfill my passion for serving others while helping patients and families feel supported and cared for every step of the way.”