Jerusha DeGroote Stephens,
LAc

Jerusha is a Mississippi native, born and raised on the Gulf Coast. She graduated from the Academy of Oriental Medicine in Austin, Texas with a Master of Science in Oriental Medicine (MSOM) and has been practicing acupuncture since 2002.

Jerusha was inspired to become an acupuncturist after reading the philosophy behind TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) and the theory of yin and yang.  With her background in English, she loved how TCM viewed the body as a whole system of integrated parts that had interdependence.

Jerusha is proud and honored to have become the first licensed acupuncturist in Mississippi in 2009 and opened her own clinic, Sprouted Heart Acupuncture & Wellness, in 2016. She is the founder and former President of the Mississippi Acupuncture Association (formerly MOMA), a non-profit organization dedicated to acupuncture advocacy. Her work with MOMA helped to usher in Mississippi’s inaugural Acupuncture Practice Act in 2009, which allowed for the licensure and regulation of the acupuncture profession in her home state.

Jerusha’s passion is helping men and women who are facing fertility issues through their reproductive journey. She currently serves as chair elect for the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) Complementary Integrative Medicine Special Interest Group and works in conjunction with Mississippi Reproductive Medicine for her fertility, maternity, and women’s health patients.

Education

  • Master of Science in Oriental Medicine, Academy of Oriental Medicine at Austin

  • Bachelor of Arts, English, Mississippi State University

Credentials

  • Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure #AC0001

  • National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine ~ Diplomat in Herbology and Acupuncture #020367

  • American Society of Reproductive Medicine Complementary Integrative Medicine Special Interest Group ~ Chair Elect 2024-2025

  • Fellow of the American Board of Oriental Medicine - 2010-2024

Specialties

Jerusha is the first licensed acupuncturist in Mississippi dedicated to treating infertility and men's and women's reproductive health. She has provided many couples with natural ways to increase fertility and ultimately achieve their dream of conceiving and having a healthy baby.

For those requiring Assisted Reproductive Therapy, she works closely with a number of local OBGYNs and reproductive specialists to provide support for fertility treatments.

Jerusha treats patients with reproductive and women’s health issues at Sprouted Heart and also at Paradigm: Beyond Infertility. Paradigm is a community of healthcare professionals that aims to improve reproductive health using integrative therapies and complementary alternative medicine such as nutrition, massage, yoga, and acupuncture. Consultations with Jerusha at Paradigm can be scheduled directly from their website or by calling (601) 936-3650.

More information about acupuncture and Chinese medicine for fertility and testimonials from some of Jerusha’s patients can be found on our Fertility Page.