From NIU to Wrigley Field: Jozef M. Palasiewicz, D.P.T. '20, Keeps Chicago Cubs Players In The Game
By Tony Scott

Jozef Palasiewicz, D.P.T. '20. (Photo credit: Jozef Palasiewicz)

Jozef M. Palasiewicz, D.P.T. ’20, spends his days helping elite athletes recover from injuries, return to competition and perform at the highest level.
 

As the Chicago Cubs’ Major League Baseball physical therapist, Palasiewicz is in one of the most visible organizations in professional sports. Yet the journey to Wrigley Field began much closer to home, in the small town of Somonauk, Illinois, about 25 miles south of DeKalb.
 

The youngest of four children, Palasiewicz grew up in a family shaped by hard work and sacrifice. His parents immigrated from Poland in the late 1980s in search of greater opportunities. Despite limited formal education and English-language skills, they worked tirelessly to provide for their family. His father spent 30 years working the third shift at a Chicago-area bakery, commuting roughly 60 miles each way, while his mother held multiple jobs to support the household.

Their example instilled a work ethic that continues to shape Palasiewicz’s approach to life and career.

“Meaningful progress comes from committing to the process and continuing to improve day by day,” he said.

Inspired by an older brother who played baseball at Waubonsee Community College, Palasiewicz played in high school before continuing for four years at Benedictine University. As college progressed, however, he began to see a future in baseball that extended beyond his playing days.
 

Initially interested in biomedical engineering, he explored a variety of healthcare careers before discovering a path that merged his passions for science, healthcare and athletics. A shadowing experience with a physical therapist who specialized in baseball players proved pivotal.

“I realized that a career in professional baseball could allow me to remain connected to the sport while helping athletes pursue their own goals,” he said.

When it came time to pursue a doctorate, NIU offered both opportunity and practicality. Attending NIU allowed him to remain close to family while earning his degree in an affordable, high-quality program. 

“Attending NIU allowed me to live at home with my parents while commuting to classes, which helped keep the cost of my education manageable,” he said.

Within the university’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program, he found a close-knit learning environment that strengthened his clinical skills and sharpened his professional vision.

Among the faculty members who influenced him most was Brynn Rooney. Their shared interest in baseball fostered a mentorship that encouraged Palasiewicz to pursue advanced training in sports physical therapy and helped clarify the direction of his career.

“NIU provided the foundation I needed to pursue additional training and eventually build a career in professional baseball,” he said.

After graduating from the doctoral program, Palasiewicz continued building specialized expertise through a sports physical therapy residency with Texas Health Sports Medicine and Texas Christian University, where he worked with Division I athletes, conducted research and gained mentorship in sports rehabilitation. He later completed an Upper Extremity Athlete Fellowship through ATI Physical Therapy in partnership with the Kansas City Royals, an experience that introduced him to the demands of professional baseball while allowing him to further specialize in upper-extremity rehabilitation.

The training opened the door to the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he spent three seasons as a minor league physical therapist. During that time, he provided rehabilitation services to both minor league and major league players and was part of consecutive World Series championship organizations in 2024 and 2025.

Following the 2025 season, Palasiewicz joined the Cubs, where he now helps oversee the rehabilitation and return-to-play process for their players.

No two days for Palasiewicz are exactly alike. A typical game day begins with meetings involving coaches and the club’s high-performance staff to discuss player health, rehabilitation plans and daily priorities. From there, Palasiewicz works directly with injured athletes, guiding treatment sessions, monitoring progress and coordinating individualized plans designed to safely return players to competition.

As game time approaches, his focus shifts to active players who may need treatment or preparation before taking the field. The work continues during and after games, balancing hands-on care with communication, planning and documentation to ensure everyone involved in a player's recovery is working toward the same goals.

One of the greatest challenges is creating individualized recovery programs for elite athletes while navigating the demands of a 162-game season. Success requires collaboration, adaptability and constant attention to detail.

For Palasiewicz, however, the reward far outweighs the challenge.

“The greatest reward is seeing an athlete return to the field after an injury,” he said. “Knowing the time, effort and collaboration that went into that process makes it special to watch a player return to competition.”

Despite a career that has taken him across the country and into Major League Baseball clubhouses, Palasiewicz remains connected to the relationships he built at NIU. He still counts many of his former classmates among his closest friends and credits the university with helping him develop both the technical expertise and growth mindset that continue to guide his career.

From a small-town upbringing in northern Illinois to the dugouts and training rooms of Major League Baseball, Palasiewicz’s path reflects the power of perseverance, mentorship and education. It also demonstrates how an NIU experience can open unexpected doors, providing students with the foundation to pursue ambitious goals and make an impact at the highest levels of their profession.

This is just one example of how NIU prepares students for impactful careers through transformational experiences. Discover how NIU is fortifying our future at niuforward.com.