Dr Skinner grew up on cattle stations in North Queensland, completing her primary schooling by correspondence and School of the Air over two-way radio. She understands from personal experience what it means to live a long way from the nearest doctor.

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She completed a Bachelor of Science in physiology and pharmacology (University of Queensland and James Cook University), followed by the graduate-entry Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery at the University of Queensland (2003). She was awarded Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners in 2011 and has worked in rural and remote communities for most of her career.

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Australia is a country of vast distances. Many people live in towns with limited infrastructure, far from a hospital or specialist, and must travel for many hours to see one. Dr Skinner is a co-founder of MySpecialistGP (myspecialistgp.com.au), a telehealth service established to make specialist GP mental health care available to patients in regional and remote Australia. The service is being developed step by step, with the aim of providing easy, timely and high-quality access to more patients across Australia over time.

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​Dr Skinner takes the time to listen, explains things clearly and in plain language, and works with each patient on a plan they understand and can follow.