Our Clinic
At Great Destinations Pediatrics, we do things differently—on purpose. For over 25 years, we’ve been caring for children across Peoria and the Northwest Valley with a preventative, personalized and relationship-driven approach. From themed exam rooms that spark imagination to providers who truly know your family, everything we do is designed to make pediatric care more human, more connected, and more effective.
On this page, you’ll learn about our care philosophy, what makes our practice unique, the team behind your child’s care, and what families just like yours are saying about their experience with us.
Our Approach
At Great Destinations Pediatrics, we believe that great care starts with education, trust, and a commitment to wellness—not just treating illness. Here’s what guides our practice:
We follow the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) immunization schedule and believe that vaccines are important in preventing very dangerous and potentially fatal diseases.
To protect all our patients—especially infants who are too young to be fully vaccinated and those who are immunocompromised-we do not "see" families who chose not to immunize. In addition, we do not offer vaccine schedules that deviate significantly from the AAP schedule.
If you have concerns or questions about vaccines, we’re happy to talk through your concerns and help you make informed decisions.
Pediatric medicine is fundamentally preventive—and so are we. From infancy through young adulthood, our care focuses on:
Good sleep habits
Balanced nutrition
Screen time limits
Outdoor play & physical activity
Mental & emotional well-being
We provide guidance and tools to help your child thrive—physically, mentally, and emotionally. We build wellness into every visit, from annual checkups to same-day sick visits, and often recommend natural strategies alongside traditional treatments to support overall well-being and healing.
We value the importance of antibiotics in treating illness—and also understand their risks. Because antibiotics don’t work against viruses and overuse can lead to resistance, we never prescribe antibiotics without an in-person exam to determine if they’re truly needed and which one is best.
Conditions like asthma, allergies, and mental health concerns require more than a one-time prescription.
We create personalized maintenance plans and require regular follow-ups (typically every three to six months) to monitor progress, adjust treatment and keep your child physically and mentally well.
Our goal: ongoing, up-to-date care that supports long-term health—not just temporary relief.
At Great Destinations Pediatrics, We Offer:
A warm, welcoming environment
Our office was built with kids in mind.
Consistent care
Your child will see the same trusted provider, not a rotating staff.
A focus on prevention and whole - child wellness
Not just treating symptoms.
25+ years of experience
We’ve served generations of local families.
A Place Kids Love to Visit
From the moment you walk through our train depot doors, you're in for an adventure. Created in partnership with local artist Dee Dee Daus , our themed office takes children on imaginary journeys — from Central Park to tropical getaways, dinosaur digs to underwater treasure hunts.
Every exam room is a destination designed to spark your child’s imagination while putting them at ease.
Serving Peoria Since 1999
Great Destinations Pediatrics opened its doors on April 19, 1999 . What started as a vision for a kid - focused medical practice has grown into a beloved local medical home — one that’s trusted by multiple generations of families.
We’re here for the bumps, the growth spurts, the milestones, and the late-night fevers — through every stage of your child’s development.
Choosing a pediatrician isn’t just about convenience — it’s about finding a partner for your child’s health journey.
High-Fives From
Happy Families
Our Providers
We’re more than just a medical office—we’re a family. Many of our staff members have been with us for over 20 years. We work as a tight-knit team with one goal: to treat every child as if they were our own.
At Great Destinations Pediatrics, you’re not just a chart. You’re part of the GDP family.
Our team is devoted to:
- Building real relationships with families
- Listening with compassion
- Supporting not only the child, but the parents too
- Creating a fun, joyful and less-stressful enviroment
Meet Our Providers
Dr. Kristin Shepherd , M.D. F.A.A.P
Board – Certified Pediatrician | fellow, American Academy of Pediatrics | 25+ Years Experience
Dr. Shepherd was born and raised in Rockford, Illinois. She earned her Bachelors Degree at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where she majored in Psychology and minored in Chemistry and Spanish. She received her medical degree from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in 1999 before moving to Phoenix to complete her residency at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
The move became permanent after meeting her husband and planting roots in the northwest valley. Her family quickly grew to include eight children: four stepsons, an adopted nephew, two more sons and one daughter.
Dr. Shepherd has been practicing in Peoria for 25 years and finds deep fulfillment in watching patients grow from infants to children, teens, and young adults. She is delighted and honored to care for the next generation as formers patients come back with their own babies.
When not in the clinic, Dr. Shepherd enjoys preparing weekend brunch, baking, running, hiking, going to church and exploring national parks with her family.
Nimrit Sidhu, PA
Physician Assistant | Smart, Energetic, and Deeply Respected by Families
Nim brings a vibrant energy and emphatically trusted dedication to pediatric care at Great DestinationsPediatrics. After volunteering at Cardon Children’s Medical Center, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from ASU’s Barrett Honors College, followed by a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies—where she concentrated the majority of her clinical training in pediatrics. Nim brings a vibrant energy to the practice, quickly building a strong following thanks to her empathy, skill, and modern perspective on pediatric care. Patients love her—and so do we.
Jordan Ramirez, P.A.
Jordan is a true Arizona native with deep roots in our community, having lived in Peoria for over 20 years. He is a passionate and experienced professional dedicated to pediatric care and is eager to get to know all of you.
His extensive background in medicine includes 5 years of experience as a paramedic, where he developed crucial skills in high-pressure situations and compassionate patient care. He received his undergraduate degree from Arizona State University and completed his Physician Assistant training at Northern Arizona University.
Beyond his impressive professional background, Jordan is a family man who loves spending time with his wife, 7-year-old daughter, and 2-year-old son. In his free time, he enjoys cheering on his favorite football teams, playing video games, and relaxing by baking at home and “just being a dad”.
Meet The Team
Anita
Back Office
Rhonda
Back Office
Madeline
Front Office
Shanon
Front Office
Susan
Billing
Carrie
Billing
Ligia
Float