Dr. Richard Harding,
Endocrine Surgery

Pioneering Techniques:

Dr. Harding has introduced several innovative surgical techniques, including endoscopic transoral thyroidectomy, which leaves no visible scar, and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for thyroid nodules. He was the first surgeon in Arizona to perform thyroid RFA and now also provides CellFX nsPFA treatment.

Minimally Invasive Focus:

He specializes in minimally invasive surgery, which allows for quicker recovery times, less scarring, and reduced pain for patients. His expertise spans various endocrine conditions, including thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal surgeries.

Extensive Experience:

With over 30 years of experience in thyroid surgery and more than 25 years of performing minimally invasive procedures, Dr. Harding has honed his skills to provide the best possible outcomes for his patients.

Comprehensive Care:

Dr. Harding performs many diagnostic tests and minor procedures in his office, such as ultrasound-guided thyroid nodule biopsies, which allows for personalized and comprehensive care tailored to each patient's specific needs.

Educational Contributions:

He is a regional instructor and has been involved in teaching other surgeons his techniques, contributing to the advancement of the field.

Recognition and Awards:

Dr. Harding has been recognized for his excellence in surgery, including being voted Top Doctor by Phoenix Magazine and receiving the Surgeon of Excellence in Robotic Surgery award.

My Story

Dr. Richard Harding

Richard J. Harding, MD has been evaluating and removing hundreds of thyroid glands per year for the past twenty-eight years. He is very pleased to introduce a non-surgical treatment for large benign thyroid nodules. This new method applies internal energy to the thyroid nodules to effectively destroy problematic tissue without injuring the healthy outer thyroid gland.

Richard J. Harding, MD, FACS

Endocrine Surgeon & General Surgeon

Medical Director of TNTC

Associate Professor in Surgery, Creighton University School of Medicine

Assistant Professor of Surgery, University of Arizona College of Medicine

Fellow, American College of Surgeons

Member, American Association of Endocrine Surgeons

Member, NASIT (North American Society of Interventional Thyroidologists): Program Director for the first national meeting

Distinctions

Dr. Harding is the most experienced thyroid surgeon in Arizona having performed hundreds of minimally invasive thyroid nodule RFA treatments.

"I enjoy helping patients feel better. It gives me great satisfaction to perform surgery that not only addresses the surgical condition, but also provides a substantial improvement in their quality of life."

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Richard J. Harding MD has been on the forefront of surgical advances since arriving in Phoenix, Arizona. He was the first to perform many of the advanced laparoscopic and robotic operations at his hospitals. Always on a mission to improve patient satisfaction, he was one of the first surgeons in the US to perform remote access robotic laparoscopic thyroid surgery in 2010. He continues to advance techniques for truly scar-less surgery with his introduction of Transoral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy Vestibular Approach to Arizona in 2018. With over 28 years of performing ultrasound based diagnostic interventions, including saphenous vein ablation, he has now mastered ultrasound based therapies for the thyroid gland. Now using the same unique expertise, he introduces the radiofrequency ablation of benign thyroid nodules to Arizona and the southwest in 2019.

Dr. Harding graduated Magna Cum Laude from Vanderbilt University in 1985 and went on to graduate from medical school at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in 1989. He completed his General Surgical training at Georgetown University in 1995. Dr. Harding also served in the US Naval Reserve from 1989 to 2004. In 2003 he served in Operation Iraqi Freedom as Commander in the U.S. Navy.

Dr. Harding is a founding member of Arizona Associated Surgeons, which merged to form Arizona Advanced Surgery LLC. This private practice group formed with the goal of providing state-of-the-art, comprehensive patient care and is one of the largest private general surgery groups in the country.

Dr. Richard Harding Master Course of Thyroid RF Ablation

Richard J. Harding, MD, FACS is a board-certified General Surgeon and has been in private practice, performing general surgery procedures since 1995. Dr. Harding has more than 28 years of experience in using minimally invasive surgical techniques, allowing patients to recover more quickly, with less scarring and pain.

Dr. Harding's skill at RFA and small incision surgery and his high success rate, attract patients not only throughout Arizona, but from neighboring Utah, Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico, as well as California, Canada, and Mexico.

Dr. Harding is happily married to a beautiful nurse, with four children and has resided in Arizona for the past 28 years.