Expert Psychiatrist & Consultation-Liaison Specialist
Stanford-trained, board-certified adult psychiatrist specializing in complex psychiatric conditions and the intersection of mental health and medicine – telehealth consultations available.

Dr. Ernest Okwuonu, MD
Dr. Ernest Okwuonu is a Stanford-trained Psychiatrist with a robust background in managing complex psychiatric conditions in diverse medical settings. He completed his Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry (Psychosomatic Medicine) fellowship at Stanford University School of Medicine. He completed his psychiatry residency at St. John's Episcopal Hospital in New York and served as Chief Resident. Dr. Okwuonu earned his MD from the American University of the Caribbean and holds a BSc Honors in Pharmaceutical & Biological Chemistry from York University in Toronto, which informs his in-depth psychopharmacology knowledge.
Board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology, Dr. Okwuonu has specialized training in managing psychiatric complications in intensive care, surgical, and oncology settings. He has contributed to the field through his quality improvement project on dyspnea in critically ill patients and has presented his work at multiple conferences. His scholarly activities include publications in the American Journal of Psychiatry and the Journal of the Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry. He is currently an active member of the American Psychiatric Association and the Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, where he serves on the mentorship committee.
Certifications
American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology
Professional Memberships
- • American Psychiatric Association
- • Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry (Mentorship Committee Member)
Licensure
Education & Experience
Attending Consultation - Liaison Psychiatrist
Amwell
San Francisco, CA • Hybrid
Attending Consultation - Liaison Psychiatrist
Amwell
San Francisco, CA • Hybrid
Consultation - Liaison Psychiatrist
COMPREHENSIVE PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES
Walnut Creek, CA • Hybrid
Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
Keck School of Medicine, USC
Los Angeles, CA • On-site
Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
Keck School of Medicine, USC
Los Angeles, CA • On-site
Stanford University School of Medicine
Clinical Fellow in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry
Palo Alto, CA
Psychiatry Resident
St. John's Episcopal Hospital
Queens, NY • On-site
Psychiatry Resident
St. John's Episcopal Hospital
Queens, NY • On-site
St. John's Episcopal Hospital
Psychiatry Residency - Chief Resident
New York
American University of the Caribbean
Doctor of Medicine - MD
American University of the Caribbean
Doctor of Medicine - MD
York University
Bachelor of Science - BS, Chemistry
Toronto, Canada
Research & Specialized Training
Research & Contributions
Quality Improvement Project
Quality improvement project on dyspnea in critically ill patients. Presented at multiple conferences.
Publications
American Journal of Psychiatry
Published research in the Residents' Journal
Journal of the Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry
Published scholarly articles
Specialized Training
Dr. Okwuonu has specialized training in managing psychiatric complications in:
- •Intensive care settings
- •Surgical settings
- •Oncology settings
His unique background in pharmaceutical chemistry provides him with exceptional expertise in psychopharmacology, allowing for informed and effective medication management.
Publications
Myoclonus, Uremia, and Delirium in a Liver Transplant Recipient: A Case Report and Literature Review
This study presents a case of acute myoclonus in an elderly female liver transplant recipient caused by uremia, which improved after continuous renal replacement therapy. The authors conducted a systematic literature review of 12 manuscripts examining the relationship between myoclonus, delirium, encephalopathy, and uremia in medically complex patients.
A Case of Pneumocephalus, Neurocognitive Decline, and Psychosis
This case report examines a patient who developed pneumocephalus (air in the cranial cavity) accompanied by neurocognitive decline and psychotic symptoms. The publication explores the neuropsychiatric manifestations associated with this rare neurological condition and its diagnostic and treatment considerations.
A Ternary Enigma: A Case Report and Literature Review of Myoclonus, Uremia, and Delirium in a Liver Transplant Recipient
This poster presentation detailed the same liver transplant case later published in the Journal of the Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, highlighting the complex interplay between myoclonus, uremic encephalopathy, and delirium in transplant psychiatry.
All publications demonstrate Dr. Okwuonu's expertise in consultation-liaison psychiatry, particularly in managing complex psychiatric presentations in medically ill patients. His work emphasizes the critical role of psychiatrists in identifying and managing neuropsychiatric complications in transplant recipients and patients with complex medical conditions.