Dr. Richard Howard earned his Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He obtained his Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, Missouri.

Dr. Howard served his transitional internship at Des Peres Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. He served his orthopedic surgery residencies at Kirksville Osteopathic Medical Center and Des Peres Hospital. His Hand Surgery residency was completed at the University of Cincinnati. Pediatric orthopedic training was completed at the Alfred I. DuPont Institute in Wilmington, Delaware. Hand and microsurgery fellowship training was completed at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida.