Dr. John B. Richardson Jr., MD

Media Releases

Get to know Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr. John B. Richardson Jr., who serves patients in Birmingham, Alabama.

Dr. Richardson Jr. is a board-certified and fellowship-trained cardiothoracic surgeon who has served as a dedicated member of Cardio-Thoracic Surgeons, P.C. for the past three decades. He is also a member of the medical staff at Ascension St. Vincent’s Birmingham Hospital.

His areas of specialty include minimally invasive surgery, mitral valve, as well as tricuspid and aortic valve surgery.

The South’s leader in minimally invasive and robotic cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, Cardio-Thoracic Surgeons, P.C. is dedicated to providing patients with the best care possible, beginning with initial consultation and ending with last post-operative check-up. The practice sets a standard by bringing open heart surgery to Alabama, wanting to build on that standard by providing patients with the most trusted cardiovascular and thoracic surgeons in the state.

Graduating with his undergraduate degree from Auburn University, Dr. Richardson Jr. earned his medical degree from Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine at the University of South Alabama. He then served his residency in general surgery at the University of South Alabama, followed by his fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery at the Medical College of Virginia Hospital in Richmond. 

With expertise reigning heavily in the world of heart disease, Dr. Richardson Jr. is board-certified in thoracic and cardiac surgery by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. He is also board-certified in general surgery by the American Board of Surgery. 

He maintains memberships with several national and local professional organizations including the Medical Association of the State of Alabama, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, the Jefferson County Medical Association, the John W. Kirklin Society, the American Medical Association, and the American College of Surgeons (Fellow). 

Alongside serving patients at Cardio-Thoracic Surgeons, P.C, Dr. Richardson Jr. serves as a mentor to Auburn University football players where he has volunteered many years on the medical staff for the football program. He is very passionate about the medical needs for Military Special Forces and is involved in assisting with those needs including helping to raise funds for Suicide Prevention for Military Special Forces.

Cardiothoracic surgery is the field of medicine involved in the surgical treatment of organs inside the thorax. Cardiothoracic surgeons are medical doctors who specialize in surgical procedures inside the thorax, which may involve the heart, lungs, esophagus, and other organs in the chest. Alongside performing surgery, they also diagnose and treat diseases of these organs.

In 1989, Dr. Richardson Jr. and his family moved to Birmingham, Alabama. He and his wife, Sonja, have 2 daughters and 5 grandchildren that they enjoy spending time with. He also enjoys health and fitness, with weightlifting and daily high intensity workouts, and is a member of Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church.

Recommended Articles

• Incentives: A Creative Way to Keep Nurses on the Job

  Hospitals are having a hard time keeping their nursing staff on the job. Currently, there is a massive nursing shortage in the US. This is due to a few reasons, including a large cohort of nurses retiring, more nurses choosing to take a break from the fast-paced, high-stress career and not enough...

• Men at Greater Risk of Type 2 Diabetes, Study Reports

  Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder that is the result of a faulty lifestyle, like making poor choices in diet and not maintaining regular exercise. Men and women have different hormones and lifestyle choices, so some diseases are known to be more common in women, while others are more common in...

• Boron's Amazing Health Benefits

  Boron has a lot of health benefits. It is known to balance certain hormones such as estrogen and testosterone. Boron is also good for fertility and helps improve the functioning of the brain leading to the development of motor skills, better memory, and grasping power.Another health benefit from...

• Nipple Piercing: Is It Safe?

  What Is Nipple Piercing? In the Western world, only the ears used to be pierced. The last 15 years, however, have seen an increase in the lifestyle and fashion trend of piercing parts of the body other than the earlobes. Nipples are among the locations chosen to be pierced, by both females and...

• What is Head Lice: Get the Facts

  One of the most common human parasitic invasions globally is pediculosis, or the human head louse infestation. Approximately six to twelve million people in the US are treated for head lice annually. According to studies, head lice are mostly found in preschoolers and school-aged children. They nest...

• What Causes Binge Eating Disorder?

  It is very normal for anyone to overeat once in a while. However, when you start overeating on a daily basis and it starts getting out of control, it is probably time to visit a doctor and get checked for binge eating disorder. It is basically a medical complication that makes you want to eat all...