Juanita Votaw

Title Grateful Patient
Location Lexington
Juanita Votaw
Initiated By:
Initiated by Baptist Health

Ms. Juanita Votaw is a remarkable woman. As a young adult, she would spend weeks at a time horseback riding out West, exploring the rugged wilderness and rough terrain of our National Parks. 

This year, the 92-year-old beat COVID-19. 

“I’ll tell you what, I’m grateful for everyone at Baptist Health Lexington who treated me so kindly and took great care of me,” says Juanita. In particular, she’s thankful for the many conversations she had with caring staff during her hospital stay, which included a stint in the ICU. “Everyone was just so kind and would share stories with me and just talk. That helped a lot, being alone in the hospital during this scary virus.” 

Her only complaint was the food — and not for the reason you might think: It was delicious, but the portions were just “too big for a little old lady like me,” she jokes.  

In recounting her experience with COVID-19, Juanita says it was a tough battle and she was at the hospital “a long time.” When asked to describe herself in one word, she says “hardworking,” then follows up with these words to live by:

I would rather wear out than rust out!