Dr. Thornburg was born and raised in Waukesha, Wisconsin. She received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Wyoming, attended medical school at the Medical College of Wisconsin and completed her residency at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. She joined The Skin Institute at Rapid City Medical Center in 2004.

Dr. Thornburg specializes in general and pediatric dermatology, surgical dermatology, laser surgery, and cosmetics, including Botox and Juvéderm. She also focuses on the early detection of skin cancers.

Dr. Thornburg has been elevating her cosmetic craft, showcasing her passion for aesthetics by earning Master Expert status at AMI Master Training in Washington, D.C. in 2023. She was selected as faculty for the National Skincare Advisory Board and Filler Advisory Board for Allergan, the world’s leading scientific-backed manufacturer of aesthetic products. Dr. Thornburg has welcomed a national role for Allergan as speaker, consultant, and instructor to other dermatology groups throughout the United States.

Dr. Thornburg has been selected to be a media expert for the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) on all topics regarding skin. This is a national position, and she has had opportunities to represent dermatologists throughout the United States.

Made for Shade is the heart and soul of Dr. Lycia Thornburg, who founded this in 2006, along with her partners at Rapid City Medical Center Skin Institute.  Dedicated to sheltering children from the damaging effects of the sun while fostering a love of outdoor play, Dr. Thornburg, and her team of volunteers, with the Made for Shade Foundation, have funded and supported over 34 shade structures in the Black Hills.  Along with prevention of skin cancer, Dr. Thornburg is focused on research and development with her partner Dr. Melody Eide and Dr. Blake Jones, on a study to evaluate biomarkers in patients with cancer.  This is an area of her practice that she is very passionate about and is attentive to her patients and community on the prevention and early detection of skin cancer.

Her favorite quote is by Maya Angelou: “At the end of the day people won’t remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel.” She draws on this philosophy daily in how she cares for her patients – providing the best treatment available, educating patients on the tools necessary to achieve and maintain healthy skin, and never forgetting the medical importance of the skin to overall patient-health. At the end of the day, Dr. Thornburg makes her patients, whether medical or cosmetic, feel like red carpet guests, as she honors their inner beauty.