Bailey Junge aspires to become a physician assistant after attending graduate school. When she isn’t busy studying, Bailey enjoys going on walks with her friends, baking and watching movies.

Get to know Bailey 

  • Major: Kinesiology and health, pre-health option
  • Class: Senior 
  • Hometown: Van Meter, Iowa (Dallas County)
  • Career aspirations: Physician assistant 
  • Clubs/activities: ExerCYse is Medicine, Kinesiology Peer Mentor 
  • Awards/honors: Top 2% of class all years at Iowa State 
  • Favorite place on campus: Central Campus 
  • Most influential ISU mentor: Penteleimon Ekkekakis 
  • Favorite class: KIN 590B, Special Topics in Health Promotion: “Critical-Appraisal for Evidence-Based Practice in Kinesiology”
  • Why Iowa State: Grew up as a Cyclone fan with family ties 

Bailey Junge builds professional experience while preparing to practice as physician assistant

Bailey Junge has always held an interest in human anatomy. In high school, she had the opportunity to take a suture class through Des Moines University. She was surrounded by peers that were pursuing the physician assistant career path, and she realized that she wanted to do the same.

When it came to deciding where to attend college and begin her journey to becoming a physician assistant, Bailey knew that Iowa State University was the perfect place for her to pursue kinesiology.

“I grew up as a Cyclone fan and came to a lot of football games with my family here,” Bailey said. “I have several members of my family, including my dad and cousins, who attended Iowa State. It feels like home.”

Off campus, Bailey has held multiple medical-related internships and jobs to help advance her knowledge in the medical world. She has worked as both a certified nursing assistant and as a medical scribe in multiple UnityPoint Hospital locations throughout Des Moines.

“Getting to work with [medical professionals] and collaborate with them has confirmed that it’s what I want to do. I like the idea that you can switch up the speciality you work in,” she said.

Bailey highly credits the kinesiology and health program at Iowa State for preparing her for life after graduation and advancing into medical school at Des Moines University.

“The classes I am in are setting the foundation for the knowledge of the human body that the rest of my education will continue to build upon,” Bailey said. “I love kinesiology and health because it’s so applicable to your life. You’re learning about your own body and how it moves.”

Her participation in ExerCYse is Medicine on campus has also helped her not only prepare for future jobs, but educate others on the benefits of exercise as well.

As a senior, Bailey is thrilled to take all of these experiences she has acquired and apply them to her future. 

“I am most looking forward to attending graduate school, getting to deepen my education, and being surrounded by people who’re also in love with this field,” Bailey said.