Internationally renowned Vail orthopedic surgeon retires from U.S. Ski & Snowboard position
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Dr. Tom Hackett is stepping away from his role as head team physician for the U.S. Snowboard Team after two decades of service, a U.S. Ski & Snowboard press release stated on Friday.
The internationally renowned orthopedic surgeon is a knee, shoulder and elbow specialist at The Steadman Clinic in Vail. Lindsey Vonn credited him for saving her left leg after a crash in the Olympic downhill led to a severe case of compartment syndrome. ESPN reported that Dr. Hackett — who was in Cortina — conducted a fasciotomy to salvage the superstar’s lower limb.
“He filleted it open [and] let it breathe, and he saved me,” Vonn told ESPN.
The press release said Dr. Hackett’s “leadership and expertise have been instrumental in supporting generations of athletes on the World Cup and Olympic stages.”
Dr. Hackett joined fellow Steadman Clinic and Steadman Philippon Research Institute physicians Randy Viola, M.D., Leslie Vidal, M.D., Sonny Gill, M.D., and David Kuppersmith, M.D at the Games in Italy this February.
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“We are orthopaedic surgeons but most of what we do at these Games is not surgery, it’s advocating for these athletes,” Dr. Hackett told the Vail Daily in a pre-Olympic feature story.
“This can be for significant injuries, minor aches and pains — our role is to be present and make sure they get everything they need,” he continued. “We are part of a close-knit team on a special journey to one of the greatest athletic competitions in the world and we all work together for the same goal.”
Shortly after the 2026 Olympic Games, Dr. Hackett received U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s prestigious Julius Blegen Award, recognizing his exceptional service and commitment to athlete care.
“Dr. Hackett has been a trusted leader and invaluable part of our medical team for more than two decades,” stated Robyn Hase, senior director of medical operations for the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Sports Medicine Department. “His expertise and unwavering commitment to athlete care have made a lasting impact on generations of athletes and staff. We are deeply grateful for everything he has given to the organization.”
Dr. Hackett served at numerous Olympics and World Cup events across multiple disciplines. While he is leaving his position, the press release noted that Dr. Hackett will remain “actively engaged” in the organization, leading the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Medical Council.
Another longtime physician, Salt Lake City-based orthopedic surgeon Dr. Andrew Cooper, is also stepping away after 12 years with the national governing body. Dr. Cooper was the head team physician for the U.S. Freeski team.
Two new physicians are joining the U.S. Snowboard Team: Dr. Adam Wilson and Dr. Joseph Ruzbarsky.
Dr. Wilson — who started working with U.S. Ski and Snowboard during a sports medicine fellowship in Taos, New Mexico in 2016 — is based in Steamboat Springs, Colorado and will take over Dr. Hackett’s role. Dr. Ruzbarsky will support Dr. Wilson as the assistant snowboard team physician. He is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with subspecialty certification in Orthopedic Sports Medicine currently practicing at The Steadman Clinic in Aspen, Colorado.
