Denis Scannell

Dive Medical Technologist, Owner and Operator

Denis is a graduate of the Commercial Diving Program of Santa Barbara City College. He has an in-depth understanding of the physics behind hyperbaric oxygen. His training as a commercial diver and chamber operator places him at an advantage in treating patients who need Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. Denis’ experience includes several thousand of hours as a chamber operator.

Gianna Scannell

Dive Medical Officer, Critical Care Specialist, Consultant

I am a graduate of the University of Padova, Italy, where Leonardo Da Vinci learned Anatomy. I am a Boarded Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and practice General Surgery full time. I am also boarded in Critical Care. During my Critical Care fellowship at the University of California, Irvine, I became interested in hypoxia, or lack of oxygen, and did a series of in-vitro investigations on the effect of hypoxia on several groups of immune cells. The results were published in several accredited surgical journals. Hypoxia caused the release of inflammatory modulators such as Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha and Interleukin 6 from leukocytes and mononuclear cells. These investigations led me to develop an interest in hyperbaric oxygen as an effective way to combat hypoxia. With this background, I believe that it is very important to be scientific in selecting patients for hyperbaric therapy. Harm can be done by giving a treatment the patient doesn’t need, cannot tolerate, or the wrong treatment. Therefore, patient selection is our first priority. The second, is a thorough History and Physical Exam to assure that the patient can tolerate his or her therapy. The third is a tailored choice of the length and depth of therapy, determined according to the available literature and my own experience. I obtained my DMO certificate with Dick Rutkowski at Hyperbaric International in Key Largo.

History of Aspen Hyperbaric

Aspen Hyperbaric opened for business as a Medical Facility in Aspen, Colorado, March 17, 2003. Since, we have treated hundreds of happy customers. Their medical problems stemmed from decreased tissue oxygen, and oxygen therapy was what they needed.

We have hosted patients at our facility in Aspen. We are no longer there, although Alpine Oxygen, affiliated with us, handles Colorado oxygen needs and is in the process of acquiring a mild hyperbaric chamber.