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 personalized, preventative, 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.

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Our Approach

At Great Destinations Pediatrics, we believe that great care starts with trust, education,
and a commitment to wellness — not just treating illness. Here’s what guides our practice:

Vaccinations
We follow the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) immunization schedule and believe vaccines are one of the most important achievements in modern medicine.
To protect all our patients — especially infants who are too young to be fully vaccinated — we do not accept families who choose not to immunize. We also do not offer alternative vaccine schedules.
If you have concerns or questions about vaccines, we’re happy to talk through the science 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 the body’s healing.
We value the life-saving power of antibiotics — 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.

At Great Destinations Pediatrics, We Offer:

Consistent Care

Your child will see the same trusted provider, not a rotating staff.

A warm, welcoming environment

Our office was built with kids in mind.

25+ years of experience

We’ve served generations of local families.

A focus on prevention and whole child wellness

Not just treating symptoms.

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

Founded by Dr. Kristen Shepherd, 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 institution — 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 girls have been receiving care at Great Destinations for 10 years (since the birth of our first). We have had nothing short of excellent care and experience with their practice! The providers and staff are awesome!
– Lori Klaski
Both of our kids have gone to Great Destinations over the last 20 years and would always recommend them to anyone looking. The staff and doctors are always very kind and caring.
– Debora Roddick
Our provider took her time, asked questions and was a great listener. She talked directly at my teenage son and allowed him to provide information about the way he was feeling. Everyone felt valued and heard.
– Micaela Dalley
Great Destinations Pediatrics is a great pediatrician’s office! We have been going there for 18 years and have had good experiences with each doctor and PA. We see Dr Shepherd primarily and we love her! She takes time to listen to our concerns, and is very patient, caring and thorough
– Marie Christine Dadian
Choosing Great Destinations Pediatrics for our son was the best decision! They truly care and give you their full attention always! Wonderful Doctors, nurses, and office staff!
– Taylor Davis
Such a fantastic, clean, kid friendly pediatric office! The triage line is amazing for after hours concerns or if you just have a general “paranoid mom” question. I always get thoroughness and caring responses any time I am there or call. I appreciate everyone at GDP, keep up the great work!
– Tatum Hollingsworth
My boys have been coming here for the past decade. The level of care and kindness is not comparable. From the office staff, M.A’s to the doctors, they are all kind, welcoming and supportive. I have been consistently happy with the level of service and care provided for the past 10+ years!
– Nicole Armeli

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 joyful, stress-free environment for every visit

Meet Our Providers

Kristin Shepherd, M.D. F.A.A.P.
Board-Certified Pediatrician | fellow, American
Academy of Pediatrics | 25+ Years Experience
Dr. Shepherd is a, known throughout the Peoria area for her compassionate care, deep medical knowledge, and unmatched dedication to families. She’s seen many of her patients grow up — and now cares for their children, too.
Dr. Shepherd earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with minors in Chemistry and Spanish from the University of Illinois, completed her medical degree at Northwestern University Medical School in 1999 , completed her pediatric residency in at Phoenix Children’s Hospital in 2002 and has been at GDP ever since.
Dr. Daniel Tinlin, M.D.
Board-Certified Pediatrician | 30 Years of Experience
A second generation Arizonan and graduate of the University of Arizona College of Medicine, Dr. Tinlin brings over three decades of pediatric experience to the practice. He completed his residency at St. Joseph’s Hospital, where he served as co-chief resident. A father of seven and fluent in Spanish, Dr. Tinlin is known for his thoughtful care and ability to connect with families from all backgrounds.
Nimrit Sidhu, PA
Physician Assistant | Smart, Energetic, and Deeply Respected by Families
Nim brings a vibrant energy and deep dedication to pediatric care at Great Destinations Pediatrics. 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.

Meet The Team

Anita

Back Office

Rhonda

Back Office

Madeline

Front Office

Shanon

Front Office

Susan

Billing

Carrie

Billing

Carrie

Billing

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