Hwa Sook Lee-Newman arrived in the United States from her native Korea in 1973, after earning a Bachelor of Science degree at St. Joseph's College. She worked as a "critical care" nurse in the famed New York Mt. Sinai Medical Center, and later in Los Angeles area hospitals for nearly 15 years before she developed severe migraine headaches no Western doctor was able to treat effectively.

"I did ICU (intensive care unit) and CCU (critical care unit) nursing. I got sick - from the stress. I developed severe migraine headaches. They could not cure me. They gave me pain medication and I had a bad reaction to it.

"My stepfather is an herbalist and suggested I see an alternative physician.

"I was pro-American, so I thought ancient oriental remedies didn't seem that good. Eventually I went and saw results."

Relief from the agonizing pain of migraine headaches convinced Hwa Sook there was indeed something to Traditional Oriental Medicine after all. Finding herself at a crossroads in life, and with personal experience as her motivating force, she set out in 1981 to study the ancient practice of TMC.

In 1986 she graduated from L. A. University a Board Licensed Acupuncturist.

In 1988 she earned a Doctor of Oriental Medicine from South Baylo University in Los Angeles.

In 1987 Hwa Sook and her husband Delbert Newman felt the need for further study in their chosen field and so traveled to China - where they remained until the communist takeover in '89 forced them to flee the country.

They enrolled as student number nine and student number ten at Tianjin College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Heping District, Tianjin, China, now a world renown learning institution, and were the school's first American students.

While in China their studies included:

Traditional Chinese Medical Theory,

Chinese Medical Massage,

Advanced studies in pain management

and stroke repair, and Chinese Herbal Medicine.

Hwa Sook further expanded her studies to include obstetrics and gynecology and today specializes in Women's Health issues, Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Remedies.

After the Newmans returned to the States they established a successful Acupuncture practice and Herbal Center in Northridge, California. After nine years in Northridge, a vacation excursion to the Kings Canyon ~ Sequoia National Parks convinced them to seek a less urban community in which to raise their daughter. When the arrived in Three Rivers, it was "Love at first sight!"

Hwa Sook and Delbert moved to Three Rivers, California in 1998 and opened Sierra Shan Acupuncture and Herbal Center.

In 2006 they are embarking on yet another adventure.. they are establishing their practice in a new location - 341 North Kaweah Avenue, Exeter, California.

We wish them continued good fortune.

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