Meet Two Inspiring Women Making a Difference in Lexington, Kentucky this International Women's Day
Celebrate the Strength and Success of Women this International Women's Day in Lexington, Kentucky! Honor the inspiring achievements of our local women and join together to recognize the work that still needs to be done towards gender equality. From entrepreneurs to philanthropists, these women have made a lasting impact and serve as an inspiration to us all. In this article, we will take a look at some of the inspiring local women in Lexington and their stories of success.
Chasity Hester, Be Medispa Co-Founder & PA-C
Chasity, born and raised in Southeastern KY, proudly graduated from the University of Kentucky Physician Assistant Program and has been practicing medicine for almost 30 years as a trusted clinician for thousands of patients. Chasity adores working alongside her Physician husband in Cosmetic and Integrative medicine at Be Medispa. As Kentucky's first medical spa, Be Medispa, founded in 2004, has been leading the non-surgical aesthetic industry for nearly two decades and is one of the few cosmetic centers offering a comprehensive menu of evidence-based health and beauty solutions. Taking a modern approach to aesthetic medicine, Be Medispa provides a unique and well-balanced design to deliver personalized, natural-looking results with one of the few practices in the country to deliver a full-service comprehensive menu of clinically-proven solutions for the face and body. Chasity centers her practice on correcting and enhancing lip and eye anatomy.
Chasity attributes her success to her ability to cultivate good habits. She firmly believes that a successful woman should persistently overcome obstacles while keeping her eyes fixed on her larger goals. Despite facing limited resources in her upbringing, Chasity managed to excel as both a student and an athlete, earning scholarships that provided a path forward for her. Guided and inspired by her teachers, she aspired to become a teacher herself, but ultimately chose a career in healthcare. Now, as a healthcare provider, Chasity finds joy in the opportunity to impart knowledge and skills to others, bringing her journey full circle.
Chasity finds inspiration in several remarkable women, including Dr. Terry Wahls, M.D., a female physician who, despite her Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis, regained her ability to walk, bike, and hike through sheer determination and research. Another strong and resilient woman who inspires Chasity is Robin Arzon, a Peloton fitness trainer who has also overcome significant struggles. Chasity admires these women and the positive impact they have on others. Coming from a background surrounded by influential women, Chasity has always believed in her potential and never felt held back by her gender. Her specialization in female health and wellness at Be Medispa is a natural extension of her personal history.
Norma Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Bottoms Up
Katherine Cranfill, PA at Saint Joseph Health
Katherine Cranfill, PA-C, is a highly successful and accomplished Physician Assistant from Lexington, Kentucky, with over 15 years of experience specializing in critical and emergency care. Katherine has always been passionate about helping people in need. In her current role, she is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the emergency room, managing the staff, and providing critical care to patients.
Katherine's career as a Physician Assistant allows her to achieve an excellent balance between her family life and work life. As she puts it, "This is what being a working mom on International Women’s Day looks like!" Despite being on-call at the hospital and with her two kids under two running around, she managed to answer our interview questions while also attempting to cook dinner.
Katherine always knew she would work in the medical field, and after many volunteer hours, she discovered the Physician Assistant profession, which she immediately knew was her calling. Her mother's leadership at the VA hospital inspired Katherine to thrive in a male-dominated industry and figure out where she fits best. Now, as a working mom, she values risk-taking, continued education, and being comfortable in her own skin as key elements to success.
Mother Teresa is the female leader Katherine most admires. She was a profound example of using her gifts to care for the most vulnerable population. She was unbiased and provided the perfect illustration of leading through example. Katherine believes most women in medicine have encountered gender bias at some point. She has found that providing education about her career title and abilities has helped remove some bias. Although it remains, breaking down these gender barriers is very important to me as a female medical provider. Katherine Cranfill, PA-C, is an accurate role model for those who aspire to work in the medical field. She embodies the values of hard work, and her commitment to providing quality care is evident in her work. Her career inspires those who wish to make a positive impact in the medical field.