Dr. Robert Skala

Returning To His Roots

Alaska and medicine have always been part of Dr. Bob Skala. His family came to Alaska in 1974 when his father, Dr. Timothy Skala, was stationed at Fort Richardson. A few years enjoying the wonder that is Alaska prevented his parents from ever leaving the town of Eagle River. As such, Dr. Bob Skala grew up here and graduated from Chugiak High School in 1987. He left Alaska only to gain more education.

Dr. Bob Skala went to school at Kenyon College and graduated in 1991. He then went on to medical school in Chicago at Midwest University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine. Upon graduation he left Chicago for internship and residency in Ohio. It was while training at Doctor’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, that he met his wife, Dr. Tricia Skala. The two were soon married and completed their residency training and board certification in family medicine together. Because of a prior to commitment to the Army, the Drs. Skala moved to Lawton, Oklahoma. It was here that his wife pursued medicine in the civilian world while Dr. Bob Skala did his payback service to the military. After the completion of military service they eventually made their way back to Eagle River, Alaska. Two years of practice in collaboration with Dr. Timothy Skala completed a circle of learning that began as a front-desk clerk for his father when he was eighteen years old. Dr. Bob was now ready to head out on his own.

Dr. Bob and Dr. Tricia Skala started True North Medicine, LLC together in 2004. Dr. Tricia continues to develop this practice as a full-spectrum family practice. Dr. Bob will spend two or three days per week seeing diabetic, hypertensive and high cholesterol patients as part of his routine. It is a partnership that will continue for the foreseeable future. Dr. Skala is active in educational efforts on behalf of many pharmaceutical companies. He is a speaker in the subjects of diabetes and hyperlipidemia. His latest project is the
pursuit of board certification in lipidology by the National Lipid Association.

Since starting Diabetic Consultants of Alaska with Dr. Tanner it is the habit of Dr. Bob to spend his spare time with his children, Gabby and Royce. His family likes to travel and they occasionally go camping in their vintage Airstream travel trailer, fishing and hiking along the way.