Miller Children’s Welcomes Two New Medical Directors In Anesthesiology & Cancer

Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach is pleased to announce the addition of two new medical directors. Jennifer Engstrom, M.D., is the medical director of pediatric anesthesiology; this is the first time that Miller Children’s has had its very own dedicated pediatric anesthesiology medical director. In addition, Amanda Termuhlen, M.D. has become the medical director of the Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Center at Miller Children’s; bringing a strong emphasis on clinical and psychosocial research to her new post.

Jennifer Engstrom, M.D.

Jennifer Engstrom, M.D., has been appointed medical director of pediatric anesthesiology at Miller Children’s. This is a brand new role created for Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach. Understanding that children have unique and special medical needs, having a separate medical director for pediatric anesthesiology was an important and necessary decision for Miller Children’s. While pediatric anesthesiologists provide the same types of anesthesiology services to pediatric patients as that provided to adults, their technique is tailored to the unique needs of children which is exactly why Dr. Engstrom’s role at Miller Children’s is so important.

Dr. Engstrom will oversee perioperative services at Miller Children’s. She will help implement
physician policies and procedures related to pre-operative patient preparation and support and postanesthesia care. In addition, Dr. Engstrom will work with management to provide in-services
and continuing education to the perioperative care team and staff.

“I anticipate many opportunities, from preoperative preparation to postoperative discharge, to implement positive changes so as to minimize fear and ease suffering for pediatric patients and their families,” says Dr. Engstrom.

Dr. Engstrom received her medical degree from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. She completed her internship in Internal Medicine at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center and residency in anesthesiology at the University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center. Dr. Engstrom completed her fellowship training in pediatric anesthesia at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Dr. Engstrom is a member of the California Society of Anesthesiologists, the American Society of Anesthesiologists and Society of Pediatric Anesthesiologists.

Amanda Termuhlen, M.D.

Amanda M. Termuhlen, M.D. comes to Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach from the Ohio State University College of Medicine as the new pediatric hematology/oncology medical director for the Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Center (JJCCC). Dr. Termuhlen will be joining a team of experts to provide leading care for children with cancer and serious blood disorders and further the research capabilities of JJCCC at Miller Children’s.

Dr. Termuhlen will lead all clinical programs at JJCCC, oversee all clinical research including the Children’s Oncology Group (COG) and will become the principal investigator for the COG grant. In addition to her role at JJCCC, Dr. Termuhlen will practice pediatric and adolescent hematology-oncology in Long Beach. Dr. Termuhlen is very passionate about continuing JJCCC’s strong psychosocial programs and expanding clinical research.

“I am thrilled to be joining a strong team of experts dedicated to pediatric cancer care,” Dr. Termuhlen says. “The expert multi-disciplinary team of specialists along with a leading psychosocial team will allow the Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Center at Miller Children’s to improve clinical outcomes and provide new clinical research opportunities for our pediatric patients with cancer and serious blood diseases.”

Dr. Termuhlen previously taught as a professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the Ohio State University College of Medicine. She also was the associate chief of clinical research, academics and education in the Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.