Meet Our Providers
Dr. Luisa Lira, MD
Originally from Chihuahua Mexico, the youngest of a large family, Dr. Luisa Lira attended medical school at Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon in Monterrey Mexico. She completed her Pediatric training at Driscoll Children’s Hospital in 1996. During her time at Driscoll, she assisted at diabetic camps and gave several seminars on the management of asthma. After Dr. Lira finished residency, she worked in the pediatric clinic at the Naval Hospital in Corpus Christi, then later opened Pediatrics in January 2001. As of 2024, she has 28 years of pediatrics experience. Dr. Luisa and Dr. Ernesto Lira have two children and often enjoy the company of family and friends. Dr. Luisa loves to read and keeps herself updated on medicine and world events. She also loves to see how her patients have been growing and even bringing their own children to Pediatrics for care. Dr. Lira is committed to continuous improvement and the highest quality of care. It is her mission to guide all patients toward better overall health and be their partner. She believes that trust, quality communication, and patient involvement are critical to treatment.
Dr. Ernesto Lira, MD
Dr. Ernesto Lira was born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas and attended medical school at the Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon in Monterrey Nuevo Leon Mexico. Dr. Lira has vast experience in his professional career including in the area of cancer research at MD Anderson, flow cytometry research for the evaluation of cancer markers and immunological protocols, and he was on the team to develop immunology flow cytometry protocols at MD Anderson immunology laboratory. He also worked as a clinical and scientific consultant to develop, interpret, and design cancer, AIDS, and immunology labs around the country at numerous universities and hospitals. Dr. Lira was later hired at Driscoll Children’s Hospital as a consultant to develop a leukemia and lymphoma flow cytometry laboratory for the oncology department. He then decided to focus on pediatrics and completed his pediatric residency at Driscoll Children’s Hospital while still working as the leukemia and lymphoma lab consultant, and served as co-chief resident at the end of his pediatric residency. He holds an adjunct professor position with Texas A&M Corpus Christi for the undergraduate and graduate Schools of Folk Medicine and Transcultural Health Beliefs. He is also an assistant professor of pediatrics through Texas A&M Scott and White with Driscoll Children’s Hospital, and he is an assistant professor of pediatrics and general medicine at UT Health Science Center San Antonio to help teach general pediatrics to residents who are training at area hospitals. He has been in general pediatric practice partnering with his wife Dr. Luisa Lira, MD since 1996.
Dr. Shaye Walston, DO
Dr. Walston earned her undergraduate degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry at Baylor University, her medical degree at the University of North Texas Health Science Center Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNTHSC-TCOM), and completed her Pediatric Residency training at Driscoll Children’s Hospital. She is a Texas native, has lived in Corpus Christi since 2008, and has been practicing General Pediatrics since 2013. Some days when you have a visit with Dr. Walston, there may be a medical student or a resident who sees your child before she does; this is because she helps the Driscoll Children’s Hospital Pediatric Residency program and UNTHSC-TCOM train future physicians in the area of Pediatrics. In fact, she was awarded the Teaching Attending of the year award in 2018 by the Driscoll Residency Class of 2018, and was awarded a Preceptor of the year award for 2019-2020 by UNTHSC-TCOM. Dr. Walston has fraternal twin sons, a daughter, two bonus daughters, a bonus son, numerous nephews and nieces, and identical twin grandsons. In her spare time, Dr. Walston enjoys volunteering with the Junior League of Corpus Christi, quilting, and various other forms of crafting (or at least collecting craft materials that ‘one day’ will get used. Crafters iykyk). Dr. Walston always greets you with a smile and usually has a sticker in her pocket, you just might need to remind her they’re there.
Dr. Zulma Toledo, MD
Dr. Zulma Toledo earned an undergraduate degree in Marketing with a minor in Psychology at the University of Puerto Rico, Recinto Universitario de Mayagüez. After traveling and living abroad in Europe for this line of work, she returned to her native Puerto Rico determined to become a medical doctor. This she achieved as she obtained her medical degree in 2000 from Ponce School of Medicine after completing her first two years in Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara in Guadalajara Mexico. Subsequently, Dr. Toledo completed her Pediatrics residency in 2003 in Youngstown, Ohio at TOD Children’s Hospital (Western Reserve Care System). She practiced Pediatrics in Puerto Rico before she relocated to Texas in 2007 and has now been practicing in Corpus Christi since 2008. She has worked at Driscoll Children’s Hospital Emergency Room as well as their Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics Department, then at other local Pediatric and medical ventures, and now has called Pediatrics home since 2017. Dr. Toledo is a proud mama of two young men – 22 and 18 years old as of 2024, and is an auntie and honorary auntie of seven young boys and girls ranging in age from 5 months up to 9 years old. Being a mommy, an auntie, and a Pediatrician brings great joy to her heart. Dr. Toledo is energetic, smiles generously, and loves to play, sing, and relate to infants, children, and her older patients alike. A life surrounded by children reminds her that “Children are the hands by which we take hold of Heaven” – Henry Ward Beecher.
Lizette Castro, FNP
Lizette M. Castro, FNP, earned her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Texas A&M Corpus Christi in 2013, followed by a Master’s degree in Family Nurse Practitioner in 2020. She has extensive experience across diverse fields, including medical/surgical hospital care, orthopedic trauma, surgery/surgical services, urgent care, and family practice. Ms. Lizette has found her love working in Pediatrics and enjoys living in Corpus Christi, spending time outdoors, going to the beach, and playing Mario Kart on her Nintendo Switch.