Headshot of Richard Thomson, MD

Richard Thomson, MD

UT Health San Antonio
Schedule an appointment: 210-450-9220
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Specialty

  • Plastic Surgery

Education

  • University of Liverpool Medical School (2008)

Residency

  • Core Surgical Training & Plastic Surgery, West-Midlands Deanery & Welsh Centre For Burns & Plastic Surgery (2012)
  • Plastic Surgery, Welsh Centre For Burns & Plastic Surgery (2022)

Fellowships

  • Fellowship - Plastic Surgery (Research), Canniesburn Plastic Surgery Unit-Glasgow Royal Cons. (2013)
  • Plastic Surgery, Southmead Hospital, Bristiol Cons (2015)
  • Pediatric Plastic Surgery, Bc Children's Hospital (2021)
  • Craniofacial and Pediatric Plastic Surgery, Great Ormond Street Hospital (2022)
  • Cleft Lip and Palate Clinical Fellow, Evelina London Cleft Service (2023)

Languages

  • English

Gender

  • Male

University Hospital

4502 Medical Drive
San Antonio,TX 78229

Robert B. Green Campus

903 W. Martin Street
San Antonio,TX 78207

Insurance Accepted

  • 6 Degrees - Transplant
  • 90 Degree Benefits - Third Party Administrator
  • Aetna Better Health - CHIP/CHIP Perinate Newborn
  • Aetna Better Health - Medicaid STAR
  • Aetna Health - Commercial (Choice POS II, Elect Choice EPO, Exchange (Silver/Gold HMO))
  • Aetna Health - Commercial (HMO, Managed Choice POS, Meritain, Open Choice PPO)
  • Aetna Health - Commercial (QPOS, SAISD, Select)
  • Aetna Health - Medicaid Dual Preferred (HMO D-SNP)
  • Aetna Health - Medicare Advantage (Eagle PPO, Freedom PPO, Premier HMO, Prime HMO, Value Plus PPO)
  • Aetna Health - Transplant ONLY
  • Allegiance - Universal Benefits Consortium
  • Allwell (Superior HealthPlan) - Medicare Advantage
  • Ancira Enterprises - Direct Employer
  • Benefit Administrative Systems - Third Party Administrator
  • BlueCross BlueShield (Federal Programs) - Commercial (Federal - All Products)
  • BlueCross BlueShield (Out-of-State) - Commercial (Out of State - Blue Card Program Only)
  • BlueCross BlueShield of Texas - Commercial (Blue Premier HMO, Blue Choice PPO)
  • BlueCross BlueShield of Texas - Commercial (CHIP, Blue Advantage HMO, Blue Essentials HMO)
  • BlueCross BlueShield of Texas - Commercial (ERS, TRS, State of TX Employees)
  • BlueCross BlueShield of Texas - HPN/EPO (Narrow Network)
  • BlueCross BlueShield of Texas - Medicaid (STAR, STAR Kids, STAR PLUS)
  • BlueCross BlueShield of Texas - Medicare Advantage (HMO, PPO)
  • BlueCross BlueShield of Texas - Medicare-Medicaid Dual Eligible Plans
  • BlueCross BlueShield of Texas - Traditional/Par Network
  • BlueCross BlueShield of Texas - Transplant Network
  • CHAMPVA - Governmental
  • Cigna - Employer Specific Network (United Benefits Consortium)
  • Cigna - Employer Specific Network (USAA Employees & Dependents Only)
  • Cigna Health Spring - Medicare Advantage (WellMed)
  • Community First Health Plans - CHIP/CHIP Perinate Newborn
  • Community First Health Plans - Commercial (HMO, Exchange)
  • Community First Health Plans - Medicaid (STAR, STAR Kids, STAR PLUS)
  • Community First Health Plans - Medicare Advantage (HMO)
  • Community First Health Plans - University Family Care Plan
  • Curative - Commercial (All Products)
  • Driscoll Health Plan - Medicaid (All products)
  • EBSO Benefits - Third Party Administrator
  • El Paso Health - CHIP
  • El Paso Health - Medicaid STAR
  • Employers Health Network - Commercial (PPO)
  • Entrust - Third Party Administrator
  • First Health - Commercial (All Products)
  • Gilsbar - Third Party Administrator
  • HealthSmart (Accel) - Commercial (All products)
  • Humana - Medicare Advantage (HMO, PPO, WellMed)
  • Humana - Transplant Network
  • Imagine 360 - Third Party Administrator
  • Imperial Health - Commercial (Exchange)
  • Imperial Health Plan - Medicare Advantage
  • Independent Medical Systems - Commercial (PPO)
  • Independent Medical Systems - Workers Compensation
  • Injury Management Organization - Workers Compensation
  • Interlink - Transplant Network
  • LifeTrac - Transplant Network
  • Medicaid (Traditional) - Medicaid/Medicare
  • Molina Healthcare - CHIP/CHIP Perinate
  • Molina Healthcare - Commercial (Exchange)
  • Molina Healthcare - Medicaid (STAR, STAR Kids, STAR PLUS)
  • Molina Healthcare - Medicare Advantage
  • Molina Healthcare - Medicare-Medicaid Dual Eligible Plans
  • MultiPlan - Commercial (All products)
  • OptumHealth - Transplant Network
  • Point Comfort Underwriters - Refugee Medical Assistance (Adults, Children)
  • Private Healthcare Systems - Commercial (All Products)
  • ProCare Advantage - Medicare Advantage (Special Needs Plan)
  • Provider Partners Health Plan - Medicare Advantage (Special Needs Plan)
  • SCAN Health - Medicare Advantage (All Products)
  • Superior HealthPlan - CHIP/CHIP Perinate
  • Superior HealthPlan - Medicaid (STAR, STAR Health Foster Care, STAR Kids, STAR PLUS)
  • Superior HealthPlan - Medicare-Medicaid Dual Eligible Plans
  • Surest (United Healthcare) - Commercial (All Products)
  • Tokio Marine - Transplant Network
  • TriWest - TRICARE West Region
  • TriWest - VA Community Care Network
  • Trustmark Benefits (f/k/a CoreSource) - Third Party Administrator
  • UnitedHealthcare - Commercial (Charter EPO/HMO/POS)
  • UnitedHealthcare - Commercial (Choice Plus POS/PPO/Choice Plus-HAS)
  • UnitedHealthcare - Commercial (Compass EPO/HMO/POS)
  • UnitedHealthcare - Commercial (Core and Core Choice Plus EPO/HMO)
  • UnitedHealthcare - Commercial (Doctors Plan EPO/HMO/POS)
  • UnitedHealthcare - Commercial (Heritage EPO/HMO/POS)
  • UnitedHealthcare - Commercial (Indemnity)
  • UnitedHealthcare - Commercial (Navigate EPO/HMO/POS)
  • UnitedHealthcare - Commercial (Nexus ACO/EPO/HMO/POS)
  • UnitedHealthcare - Commercial (PPO)
  • UnitedHealthcare - Commercial (Select EPO/HMO/POS)
  • UnitedHealthcare - Commercial (Select Plus EPO/HMO/POS)
  • UnitedHealthcare - Medicare Advantage (AARP Plans, Complete Care Plans, Erickson Advantage Plans)
  • UnitedHealthcare - Medicare Advantage (UnitedHealthcare Group Plans, WellMed)
  • UnitedHealthcare Community Plan - CHIP/CHIP Perinate
  • UnitedHealthcare Community Plan - Medicaid (STAR, STAR Kids, STAR PLUS)
  • UnitedHealthcare Community Plan - Medicare-Medicaid Dual Eligible Plans
  • Universal Benefits Consortium (Allegiance) - Direct Contract with TPA/Broker for select ISDs
  • University of Incarnate Word - Direct Contact with Employer
  • Velocity National Provider Network - Commercial (Multiple Payers)
  • Velocity National Provider Network - Commercial (PPO)
  • Veterans Administration - Governmental
  • WellCare - Medicare Advantage
  • WellCare by Allwell (Medicare Advantage - All Products)
  • WellCare by Superior HealthPlan - Dual Align (HMO D-SNP)
  • WellMed (Gonzaba Medical Group IPA) - Medicare Advantage (Transplant Only)
  • WellMed - Medicare Advantage (Cigna HealthSpring, Humana, United Healthcare, WellPoint)
  • WellPoint (Gonzaba) - Medicare Advantage (TRANSPLANTS ONLY)
  • WellPoint - CHIP/CHIP Perinate
  • WellPoint - Medicaid (STAR, STAR Kids, STAR PLUS)
  • WellPoint - Medicare Advantage (All Products)
  • WellPoint - Medicare Advantage (Transplant Only)
  • WellPoint - Medicare Advantage (WellMed)
  • WellPoint - Medicare-Medicaid Dual Eligible Plans
Please contact your health insurance company to confirm provider participation. For billing and insurance questions, please call our Billing Department at 210-358-3260.
"As a pediatric plastic surgeon, I am committed to delivering holistic and comprehensive reconstructive care for children as part of a multidisciplinary team."
I am an assistant professor for the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at UT Health San Antonio and a pediatric plastic surgeon at University Hospital.
Growing up in a medical family, with my father as a family physician, I saw firsthand how fulfilling and impactful a career in medicine could be. This environment instilled in me a strong work ethic, a deep sense of curiosity, and a natural inclination for problem-solving. Pediatric plastic surgery in particular captivated me because it requires both an inquisitive approach and creative mindset while emphasizing clear, compassionate communication. The ability to make a tangible, lasting difference in a child's life through reconstructive surgery is what truly solidified my passion for this field.
Philosophy of Care
I believe in a patient-centered approach that prioritizes individualized care alongside open and transparent communication with both patients and their families. Pediatric plastic surgery has lifelong implications, making collaboration within a multidisciplinary team essential to achieving the best outcomes.
A key part of my practice is the continuous assessment and refinement of surgical techniques to improve patient outcomes while minimizing the physical and psychological impact of surgery. My goal is always to provide safe, effective, and innovative care tailored to each child’s unique needs.
Education
Residency
  • Plastic Surgery Residency - The Welsh Centre For Burns & Plastic Surgery, United Kingdom, 2015 - 2020
Fellowships
  • Pediatric Plastic Surgery - BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada, 2021
  • Craniofacial Surgery - Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, United Kingdom, 2022
  • Cleft Lip & Palate Surgery - The Evelina London Children's Hospital, London, United Kingdom, 2023
Prior to joining UT Heath San Antonio, I was an attending consultant at The Royal Bristol Hospital for Children and The Welsh Centre for Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery.
My Favorite Part of Medicine
Pediatric plastic surgery is one of the most rewarding fields in medicine. The privilege of caring for patients from infancy through adulthood allows me to build long-term relationships and witness the transformative impact of reconstructive surgery. Restoring both function and appearance in children with congenital or acquired differences improves their quality of life and helps them navigate the world with greater confidence.
Additionally, I thrive in the collaborative nature of plastic surgery. Working alongside expert providers from multiple disciplines allows us to solve complex problems and achieve the best possible outcomes for our patients. The blend of technical precision, artistry and teamwork makes this specialty incredibly fulfilling.
Areas of Clinical Expertise
I have extensive training in cleft, craniofacial and pediatric plastic surgery, having completed three advanced international sub-specialty fellowships. I am passionate about advancing surgical techniques in these areas to optimize outcomes for my patients.
Hobbies
Outside of work I enjoy endurance sports such as open-water swimming and road cycling, which have been an integral part of my triathlon training over the years.
Awards
  • Most Innovative Quality Improvement Idea – Morriston Hospital, 2019.
  • Douglas Murray Prize – Winning presentation, West Midlands National Plastic Surgery Meeting. Thermal Imaging in Assessment of Burn Depth. Revisited with New High Resolution Technology, 2011.
Service
  • CLEFT (Bridging the Gap) – Charity fundraising committee. 2021-2024.
  • Northern Cleft Foundation – Cleft outreach program – Nagpur, India. 2017.
Publications
‪Richard M Thomson - ‪Google Scholar
Call 210-450-9220 to request an appointment with this doctor.

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