Dr. Richard Lawton completed his undergraduate degree in psychology from Colorado College in Colorado Springs, CO. all while competing on their collegiate football team; Master of Arts and PhD in industrial/organizational psychology from DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois; Doctor of Medicine from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia; Orthopedic surgery residency at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota and Sports Medicine fellowship at Steadman-Hawkins Clinic in Vail, Colorado. While in Vail, Dr. Lawton served at the team physician for the Denver Broncos, Colorado Rockies and U.S. Ski Team. Dr. Lawton is board certified with the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery.

Dr. Lawton remains active in the Mayo Clinic elbow society, collaborating with colleagues from around the world on cutting edge care of elbow injuries and currently provides sports medicine care for McCook Community College and surrounding Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas high school athletes. Dr. Lawton also specializes in joint replacement of the shoulder, knee and hip.

Dr. Lawton is married to Sue and has 3 adult children.