Richard Watson earned his Master of Science degree in Physical Therapy from the University of North Georgia in 1998. He completed his undergraduate education at Auburn University in 1992. He completed board certification as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) since 2004. Watson has also completed advance training in manual therapy hosted by the Medical University of South Carolina School of Physical Therapy earning his manual therapy certification in 2005. Watson completed a certification in dry needling in 2016. Watson completed his PhD in rehabilitation and health sciences from the University of Kentucky College of Health Sciences in 2023.

Watson has served as Sports Rehabilitation’s departmental supervisor since 2012. Prior to joining UK HealthCare, he served as Director of Rehabilitation for a multidisciplinary hospital.

Most recently, Watson was part of the group that established the first physical therapy residency program at the University of Kentucky and currently serves as residency mentor. Watson is a orthopaedic clinical professor with the University of Kentucky Department of Physical Therapy.