NASS DFNS CLASS OF 2026
Tom Faciszewski, MD
Independent Orthopedic Services, LLC
Eagle, ID
Orthopedic Surgeon
NASS Member Since 1995
What is a lesson you learned early in your career that you still carry with you today?
When I was an intern, our team was involved in a patient's death that resulted from a complication in their care. It was tragic, and it stayed with me — a quiet reminder that medicine and surgery are serious business, that we were never simply doing "cases," but forever changing a patient's life. That experience instilled in me a humility I still carry today. We are caring for our brothers and sisters, and what we do matters — how we do it matters, too, to every single human being who places their trust in us.
Looking back on your own experience, what advice would you give to members seeking a more active role in NASS?
When I was a fellow, in 1993, I wrote a paper on ICD-9 coding. It was an esoteric topic, and few people cared much about coding at that time — RBRVS was just coming into being. Dr. David Fardon, who was President of NASS at the time, saw my presentation at AAOS; he was one of maybe twenty people in the audience. Afterward, he came up, congratulated me, and said, "Very few people understand how important coding is going to be in the future." That was all he said.
Two weeks later, I was in clinic when my medical assistant knocked on the exam room door to tell me Dr. Fardon was on the phone. Being fresh out of fellowship, a call from the President of NASS counted as an emergency, so I took it. He told me NASS was starting a CPT coding course and wanted me to teach it. I replied, "I don't know anything about CPT coding — only ICD-9." He countered, "You'll learn." And so it began.
My advice: don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and learn something new through NASS. Find something that interests you, and use your energy there to broaden your horizons and take on something that challenges you. There is so much still to do at NASS — don't be afraid to dive in.
What initially inspired you to become involved with NASS, and what has kept you engaged over the years?
I was inspired to become involved with NASS by two truths. The first: if you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together. The second: no matter how much one gives in time, energy, and love, it always comes back multiplied.
I met Eric Muehlbauer at the 1993 annual meeting and knew instantly that this was an organization destined to do great things — and it has. What has kept me engaged ever since are the wonderful women and men of this society. I am honored to be part of such a generous and talented group, and deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve.