Bio

Dr. Okonski is an anesthesiologist specializing in pediatric anesthesia, regional anesthesia and acute pain management. He comes to Stanford after two decades of experience working in a tertiary care private practice where he led the pediatric anesthesia team. Additionally, he was part of the adult cardiac anesthesia, echocardiography, regional anesthesia, and acute pain management teams.

Outside the hospital, global medicine is a priority, and Dr. Okonski has travelled extensively on medical mission trips throughout the globe. Finally, he has a special interest in marine mammal medicine, and he works regularly with veterinarians at the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito providing anesthesia and research support for perioperative care of pinnipeds and cetaceans.

Clinical Focus

  • Pediatric Anesthesia
  • Regional Anesthesia

Academic Appointments

Professional Education

  • Medical Education: University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine (1990) CA
  • Residency: Stanford University Anesthesiology Residency (1994) CA
  • Board Certification: American Board of Anesthesiology, Pediatric Anesthesia (2013)
  • Board Certification: American Board of Anesthesiology, Anesthesia (1995)
  • Internship: Santa Clara Valley Medical Center Internal Medicine Residency (1991) CA

Community and International Work

  • International Medical Mission Work, Vietnam, Nepal, Bolivia,

    Topic

    Reconstructive Surgery

    Partnering Organization(s)

    RESURGE International

    Populations Served

    Underserved

    Location

    International

    Ongoing Project

    Yes

    Opportunities for Student Involvement

    No

  • International Medical Mission Work, Guatemala

    Topic

    General, Pediatric and Reconstructive Surgery

    Partnering Organization(s)

    Hospital de La Familia

    Populations Served

    underserved

    Location

    International

    Ongoing Project

    Yes

    Opportunities for Student Involvement

    No

  • Clinical Anesthesia and Clinical Research, Sausalito, CA

    Topic

    Marine Mammal Anesthesia

    Partnering Organization(s)

    The Marine Mammal Center

    Populations Served

    Marine Mammals

    Location

    International

    Ongoing Project

    Yes

    Opportunities for Student Involvement

    Yes

Contact

  • Academic
    foko@stanford.edu
    University - Academic staff Department: Anesthesia - Pediatric Position: Clinical Instructor
  • Clinical (Primary)  Pediatric Anesthesia 725 Welch Rd MC 5902 Palo Alto, CA 94304 (650) 497-8041 (fax)

Additional Clinical Info

Additional Info

  • Mail Code: 5640

All Publications

  • THE USE OF EPHEDRINE TO TREAT ANESTHESIA-ASSOCIATED HYPOTENSION IN PINNIPEDS. Journal of zoo and wildlife medicine : official publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians Trumbull, E. J., Okonski, F., Field, C. L., Casper, D., McClain, A. M., Pattison, S., Whitmer, E. R., Whoriskey, S., Johnson, S. P. 2021; 52 (3): 1054-1060

    Abstract

    Hypotension is a common adverse effect of general anesthesia that has historically been difficult to measure in pinniped species due to technical challenges. A retrospective case review found seven pinniped cases that demonstrated anesthesia-associated hypotension diagnosed by direct blood pressure measurements during general anesthesia at The Marine Mammal Center (Sausalito, CA) between 2017 and 2019. Cases included five California sea lions (CSL: Zalophus californianus), one Hawaiian monk seal (HMS: Neomonachus schauinslandi), and one northern elephant seal (NES: Mirounga angustirostris). Patients were induced using injectable opioids, benzodiazepines, and anesthetics including propofol and alfaxalone. Excluding the HMS, all patients required supplemental isoflurane with a mask to achieve an anesthetic plane allowing for intubation. Each patient was maintained with inhalant isoflurane in oxygen for the duration of the anesthetic event. Each patient was concurrently administered continuous IV fluids and four patients received fluid boluses prior to administration of ephedrine. All hypotensive anesthetized patients were treated with IV ephedrine (0.05-0.2 mg/kg). The average initial systolic (SAP) and mean (MAP) arterial blood pressures for the CSL prior to ephedrine administration were 71 ± 14 mmHg and 48 ± 12 mmHg respectively. The average SAP and MAP for the CSL increased to 119 ± 32 mmHg and 90 ± 34 mmHg respectively within 5 m of ephedrine administration. The NES initial blood pressure measurement was 59/43 (50) (SAP/diastolic [MAP]) mmHg and increased to 80/51 (62) mmHg within 5 m. The initial HMS blood pressure was 79/68 (73) mmHg and increased to 99/78 (85) mmHg within 5 m following ephedrine administration. All patients recovered from anesthesia. These results support the efficacy of IV ephedrine for the treatment of anesthesia-associated hypotension in pinnipeds.

    View details for DOI 10.1638/2020-0219

    View details for PubMedID 34687524

  • Droplet evacuation strategy for simulated coughing during aerosol-generating procedures in COVID-19 patients. British journal of anaesthesia Tsui, B. C., Deng, A., Lin, C., Okonski, F., Pan, S. 2020

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.bja.2020.06.009

    View details for PubMedID 32600805