Richard is now the Medical Director of the Downtown Emergency Service Center in Seattle. This is a behavioral health agency. Richard continues to work in addiction medicine and primary care. He previously served as Medical Director of Housing and Street Outreach at Neighborcare Health–a network of federally qualified health centers in Seattle. Prior to that, he completed his residency in family medicine at the University of Washington in Seattle. 

Richard is a 2006 Mitchell Scholar. He received an Applied Science Master's Degree in Biotechnology from UCC. His research thesis involved studying motility mechanisms of Heliobacter pylori, a bacterium which is one of the leading causes of gastric cancer globally. Studying in Ireland gave Richard a greater appreciation of basic scientific research but also helped him to realize he wanted to dedicate himself to frontline patient care.

Richard will continue to concentrate on innovative ways to deliver high-quality primary care to vulnerable communities.  He advocates for a health system focused on prevention and on addressing the social determinants of health.

Richard obtained his undergraduate degree from UNC Chapel Hill.