Meet our friendly, experienced pediatricians and staff at Lighthouse Pediatrics. Our entire team is dedicated to helping you and your child feel welcome and at home in our office. We desire for you to feel God's presence and love from the moment you walk in the door. Our staff works together, plays together, and most importantly, prays together.
Dulce Dudley, MD
Dr. Dudley has been in practice in Naples since 1988 when she moved here after completing her residency at Miami Children’s Hospital. She enjoys taking care of children of all ages and would love to minister to more than the children’s physical needs. She would love to share her love for Jesus with them and show them how to give back to others both locally and abroad. Dr Dudley believes that God gave her the talent to be a pediatrician and strives to honor Him as she works.
She is married to Ted Dudley who supports her in all that she does and has three stepsons and 4 grandchildren.
Dr. Dudley was raised a Catholic but left the church as a young girl. She started attending church in the late nineties after her first husband passed away from leukemia. She accepted Christ as her LORD and Savior on January 22, 2000, at a Christian Women’s conference in Orlando. She believes that God has called her to step out in faith at this time to share the Gospel with everyone that she comes in contact with. She is a founding member of Hope City Church which meets on Bonita Beach Road. She has a heart for missions and travels with Orphans Heart to the Malnutrition Center in Guatemala to minister to the children and the staff at the center. Proverbs 3:5-6
Debbie Shepard, MD
Dr. Shepard has been in practice in Naples since 1998 when she moved from Birmingham, Alabama to join Dr. Dudley at Anchor Health Centers. She completed her pediatric residency at the University of Alabama at Birmingham where she also graduated from medical school. She enjoys taking care of children of all ages and marvels at God’s handiwork when she sees children in the hospital and office. Dr. Shepard strives to be accessible to her patients in the office, via phone, and technology.
Dr. Shepard has served as both chair and vice-chair of the Department of Pediatrics at NCH and has admitting privileges for newborn and pediatric patients there. In her spare time, Dr. Shepard is active at Center Point Community Church and volunteers there in the music ministry - you might spot her playing piano or keys on a Sunday morning! She has a very supportive husband, John, a daughter in college and a son in high school. After hours, you will often find her on the sidelines of a soccer field or other school events cheering on her children or enjoying outdoor activities.
Dr. Shepard’s journey of faith began when she accepted Jesus as her savior as an elementary school child. She grew up in a non-denominational military church, and she believes that spiritual growth is based on developing and nurturing a personal relationship with Christ through Bible study, prayer and involvement in a Christian community. Romans 8:28
Alex Fernandez, MD
We are delighted to announce the newest member of our pediatric care team, Dr. Alex Fernandez.
A Naples native and Naples High School alumni, Dr. Fernandez's journey in medicine began with undergraduate and medical school training at the University of South Florida. For the past half-decade, Dr. Fernandez has served families in Sarasota, FL, demonstrating a commitment to personalized care and nurturing patient relationships.
Known for his compassionate approach to evidence-based practice, Dr. Fernandez believes in the importance of open communication and collaboration with families to foster healthy development from infancy through adolescence.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Dr. Fernandez cherishes time spent with his wonderful wife, Larissa, and their two daughters.
Dr. Fernandez's Christian faith inspires a commitment to serving others with compassion and integrity, reflected in his dedication to holistic care for children and families.
Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Dr. Alex Fernandez. We are confident that his dedication to compassionate care will positively impact the lives of our young patients and their families here at Lighthouse Pediatrics of Naples.
Traci Viau, APRN
Traci returned to her hometown of Naples in 2016 to join the Lighthouse family. A graduate of Barron Collier High School, she spent 13 years in Gainesville where she earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Florida and then her degree and certification as an APRN at the University of Florida. She worked in a local primary care pediatric practice and then in the pediatric neurology department at the University of Florida prior to her move back to Naples. Traci is happy to be back in primary care and seeing children of all ages in our practice.
Traci is married to Trent who is a teacher and coach in the Collier County Public School system. They have a daughter in elementary school and an infant son. Traci enjoys spending her free time with her family - often outdoors!