David P. Skinner, MD, PhD, MBA

Recent Graduate
Year Entered Program: 
2009
Grad Year: 
2014
Degrees Received: 
  • BS, Arizona State University, Biology, 2006
  • MBA, Arizona State University, Finance, 2008
  • MD, University of Arizona, 2013
  • PhD, University of Arizona, 2014, Medical Pharmacology, Neuroscience 
  • Neurology Internship, University of Arizona, 2015
  • Functional Medicine Hyperbaric Clinician, 2024

Currently Pursuing:

  • Andrew Weil Integrative Medicine Fellowship, 2026
Current: 
Concierge Medicine Doctor Hyperbaric Clinician Immediate Care Arizona
Thesis Advisor: 
Todd Vanderah, PhD
Thesis Research: 

Dr. Skinner’s MD-PhD dissertation focused on understanding the underlying mechanisms of migraine pain, which he extensively explored through animal models and clinical means.

Honors & Awards: 
  • BS Summa Cum Laude
  • MD-PhD Excellence Award

Professional Bio: 

Dr. David Skinner, MD, PhD, MBA, FMHC, is a visionary physician and healthcare innovator dedicated to transforming outpatient care. While in the University of Arizona MD-PhD program, Dr. Skinner identified a significant gap between hospital care and community health, leading him to found Southern Arizona Urgent Care (SAUC) in 2012. Under his leadership, SAUC became Arizona's top-rated urgent care network, with nine state-of-the-art facilities across Tucson that was eventually sold to Carbon Health.

After exiting the SAUC platform, Dr. Skinner designed and built Immediate Care Arizona, a next-generation outpatient care model that embodies his commitment to personalized, holistic, and patient-centered healthcare. Serving the Tucson market now for over four years, Immediate Care Arizona has become one of the top-rated medical facilities in Arizona. It is the only center in the valley that offers 100% oxygen therapy at pressures up to 3 ATA. The center also provides a comprehensive array of services, including micronutrient IV therapy, nutrition and wellness programs, weight loss solutions, and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. Immediate Care Arizona is designed to optimize overall health and well-being, integrating cutting-edge treatments with a compassionate approach.

Dr. David Skinner's dedication to advancing patient care extends to his deep passion for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). As a Functional Medicine Hyperbaric Clinician, he has successfully integrated HBOT into his practice, harnessing its transformative potential to treat a range of complex conditions. Dr. Skinner is particularly excited about HBOT’s emerging role in managing PTSD, anxiety disorders, and in early intervention for dementia and Alzheimer’s. By promoting neuroplasticity and reducing brain inflammation, HBOT offers new hope for patients facing these challenging conditions. Dr. Skinner’s commitment to this innovative therapy reflects his broader mission to provide cutting-edge, holistic care that truly enhances patient health and well-being.

Dr. Skinner is still deeply involved in research and consulting, focusing now on anxiety disorders, gut biome health, and the life-changing effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HbOT). He is also a passionate advocate for public health education, hosting a podcast where he shares insights on health and wellness, innovative medical therapies, and teaching about the transformative power of HbOT.

Selected Publications: 
  • Skinner DP, Goel HV, Alpert JS. Personalized medicine: Digital electrocardiography. Digital Medicine.  2017 Jul 1;3(3):120.
  • Goel HV, Jones TA, Skinner DP. Are urgent care centers a viable venue for recruitment in clinical trials? Trials. 2015;16:543. doi:10.1186/s13063-015-1074-6.
  • Largent-Milnes TM, Brookshire SW, Skinner DP, Hanlon KE, Giuvelis D, Yamamoto T, Davis P, Campos CR, Nair P, Deekonda S, Bilsky EJ, Porreca F, Hruby VJ, Vanderah TW.  Building a Better Analgesic: Multifunctional Compounds that Address Injury-induced Pathology to Enhance Efficacy and Eliminate Unwanted Side Effects.  J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2013 Jul 16. [Epub ahead of print]PMID:23860305
  • Fioravanti B, Kasasbeh A, Edelmayer R, Skinner DP Jr, Hartings JA, Burklund RD, De Felice M, French ED, Dussor GO, Dodick DW, Porreca F, Vanderah TW.
Evaluation of cutaneous allodynia following induction of cortical spreading depression in freely moving rats.
Cephalalgia. 2011 June 23. PMID: 21700643