1130 Commerce Drive, Las Cruces, NM 88011
ABOUT US.
Welcome to Little Steps Pediatrics. I am delighted you stopped by! I focus on promoting and protecting the health and well-being of children and their families in the greater Las Cruces region.
OUR TEAM
Roger
Meet Roger, Our Clinic’s Golden Helper!
He attended Cloud9 Academy in Las Cruces, NM and was at the top of his class.
Roger is a gentle golden retriever who loves making kids smile. He spends his days greeting families, offering soft snuggles, and helping little patients feel calm and brave during their visits. Roger loves belly rubs, treats, and any chance to sit beside someone who needs a friend. He’s here to bring comfort, joy, and a little extra sunshine to everyone who walks through our doors.
Meghan Robinson, PNP
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
I have been in healthcare for 20+ years. Prior to becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner, I worked in various areas including; ER, Pediatric ICU, postpartum, and NICU. In addition, I worked as a lactation consultant for several years.
I would appreciate the opportunity to meet your family and participate in meeting your family's healthcare needs.
Kristin Thornsberry, CPNP, FNP-BC, IBCLC
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Family Nurse Practitioner
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant
Pediatric Mental Health Specialist (PMHS)
Kristin has over 10 years of experience working in healthcare with pediatrics. She has been working in pediatric primary care for the past 7 years, but previously worked in a pediatric emergency department. Kristin received her master's degree from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.
Kristin has earned Board Certification as a Pediatric Mental Health Specialist (PMHS). The PMHS credential recognizes advanced knowledge and expertise in the assessment, diagnosis, and management of pediatric mental and behavioral health conditions. This additional certification enhances our ability to provide evidence-based, comprehensive care for children and adolescents experiencing concerns such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, behavioral challenges, and other mental health conditions.
Kristin currently lives in Las Cruces, New Mexico, with her partner. They love rock climbing, hiking, diving, and traveling around the world together. Kristin is passionate about care that involves the family as a whole and looks forward to meeting your family!
Laura Lizeth Garcia, MSN, APRN, CPNP-PC
Laura Lizeth Garcia, MSN, APRN, CPNP-PC, is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner with more than 10 years of nursing experience dedicated to caring for children and their families. Her career began as a Registered Nurse in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at El Paso Children’s Hospital, where she cared for critically ill and injured children. She also has experience providing hospice care, further strengthening her compassionate and family-centered approach to healthcare.
Today, Laura proudly serves as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at Little Steps Pediatrics, where she combines her critical care background with preventive and primary pediatric care. She is passionate about helping children grow into healthy, happy individuals and believes every child deserves compassionate, high-quality healthcare. One of the greatest joys of her profession is building meaningful relationships with children and their families while helping young patients feel safe, comfortable, and cared for.
As a bilingual provider fluent in English and Spanish, Laura is committed to improving access to healthcare for diverse communities. Her experience recognizing acutely ill children, combined with her ability to communicate effectively with families, allows her to provide comprehensive, evidence-based care while treating every patient with kindness and respect.
Outside of work, Laura enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, discovering new coffee shops, and attending church on Sundays. Her faith, family, and love for children continue to inspire the way she cares for every patient she meets.
Laura considers it a privilege to care for children and their families. She strives every day to make a meaningful difference in their lives through compassion, clinical excellence, and genuine dedication to pediatric healthcare.
Cynthia Montes, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Cynthia Montes is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 8 years of experience in supporting children, adolescents, young adults, and families in building stronger relationships, healing from adversity, and fostering emotional well-being. Her work is grounded in attachment theory and relational approaches, with a focus on understanding how early experiences and relationships shape development, behavior, and mental health.
She specializes in working with children and their caregivers, helping families strengthen connections and navigate challenges related to trauma, emotional regulation, behavioral concerns, and life transitions. Drawing from trauma-informed frameworks, somatic interventions, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), I tailor treatment to meet each client's unique needs while honoring their strengths and resilience.
In addition to her work with families, she supports adolescents and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, ADHD, self-esteem concerns, relationship difficulties, and the lasting effects of stressful or traumatic experiences.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 cats, reading fantasy, yoga, and enjoying nature in Las Cruces and the surrounding areas.
Shimon-Thomas CPNP-PC
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Shimon has ten years of experience in pediatrics. She found her passion for pediatrics in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where she provided specialized care to newborns and their families. Driven by her desire to make a greater impact and expand her scope of practice, she pursued her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas, El Paso, as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.
Outside work, she enjoys traveling with her family, cheering on her 3 boys at football games, or supporting them at jiu-jitsu tournaments. She also finds joy
in cooking and staying active through exercise.
Ruby Barquist CPNP
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Ruby is a dedicated Pediatric Nurse Practitioner who is passionate about providing evidence-based, compassionate care to children and their families. She is currently completing her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, with doctoral work focused on promoting early childhood speech and language development through nightly reading routines. Her commitment to helping children thrive developmentally extends beyond physical health and into the foundations of communication and learning.
Before becoming an NP, Ruby proudly served in the military and gained diverse clinical experience in labor and delivery and the operating room. These roles strengthened her clinical skills and shaped her holistic, family-centered approach to pediatric care.
Known for her warm and approachable demeanor, Ruby values building strong relationships with families and creating a supportive, welcoming environment at every visit.
She lives in El Paso, Texas, with her two children and two dogs. Outside of work, she enjoys exercising, reading, and spending quality time with her family. Ruby looks forward to caring for your child and supporting your family’s health journey.
Melissa Morales, RN, CLC
Pediatric Registered Nurse
Melissa has been a nurse for 13 years. At our clinic, she plays a vital role in managing patient triage calls and supporting families by answering health-related questions and concerns. Melissa also leads staff and parent education, ensuring that our team provides safe, consistent, and evidence-based care every day.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her fiancé and their two children, cheering on her kids at soccer games, and enjoying family activities together.
Kim Smetzer, IBCLC
Lactation Consultant
Kimberly is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, (IBCLC) Kimberly and her husband moved to Las Cruces in the summer of 2008. Since then, she has worked as a lactation consultant and nurse in a Las Cruces Hospital. Kimberly has also worked as a clinical nurse consultant with New Mexico Breastfeeding Task force.
Kanisha Blanco
Office Manager
Kanisha has worked in the medical field for over 8 years. She started as a receptionist then workedtowards her phlebotomy and medical assistant certifications. She has worked as a pediatric officemanager for a total of 3 years.
She enjoys working with kids and strives to make sure the office runs smoothly while ensuring it is a funsafe environment for children.Kanisha was born and raised in Las Cruces, NM. When she is not in the office you can find her at her kidssporting events with her husband and 3 kids.