U.S. Ski & Snowboard Appointed New Medical Officers
The organization named Dr. Thomas R. Hackett as its new Chief Medical Officer.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Skiing
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U.S. Ski & Snowboard has appointed Dr. Thomas R. Hackett as its new Chief Medical Officer. Dr. David A. Kuppersmith will serve as the assistant Chief Medical Officer for the organization.
Why it matters
The appointments strengthen the medical leadership team as the organization prepares for major international competitions. Dr. Hackett will oversee team medical operations and coordination during the upcoming cycle leading to the 2030 Winter Games.
Dr. Hackett brings experience from 5 Olympic cycles and 20 years with the U.S. Snowboard Team. The Steadman Clinic, where he practices, has provided medical coverage for 13 consecutive Winter Olympic Games.
The players
Dr. Thomas R. Hackett
He is a surgeon at The Steadman Clinic who previously served as head physician for the U.S. Snowboard Team for over 20 years.
Dr. David A. Kuppersmith
He serves as the Head Internal Medicine Physician for the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team.
U.S. Ski & Snowboard
This is the national governing body for Olympic skiing and snowboarding in the United States.
The Steadman Clinic
Located in Vail, Colorado, this orthopedic medical facility has a five-decade history of providing sports medicine coverage.
The details
Dr. Hackett will maintain his full-time surgical practice at The Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado, while managing team injuries and medical operations. Dr. Kuppersmith, who serves as the Head Internal Medicine Physician, will work alongside him to support the athletes.
Timeline
1976: Steadman Clinic physicians began covering Winter Olympic Games.
2026-2027 season: U.S. Ski & Snowboard hosts 13 domestic World Cup events.
Thanksgiving weekend 2026: U.S. ski season events begin in Killington and Copper Mountain.
2030: Olympic Winter Games scheduled in the French Alps.
Season Trajectory
These medical appointments ensure continuity of care as the organization navigates a heavy schedule of 13 domestic World Cup events. This leadership structure is designed to support elite performance throughout the build-up to the 2030 Winter Olympic Games.
Fans can expect consistent medical oversight at the 13 domestic FIS World Cup events scheduled throughout the upcoming season. These organizational changes do not impact current athlete eligibility or competition rules for the 2026-2027 calendar.
The takeaway
The appointment of experienced surgeons into these roles highlights the critical nature of sports medicine in elite winter athletics. It demonstrates the continued reliance of national teams on specialized private clinics to maintain athlete health during multi-year Olympic cycles.
Further reading
For more information on the current landscape of the sport, visit Skiing.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Vail Daily.
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