Austin Burns

Outreach Ambassador

Austin was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) at 2 years old. He and his family have volunteered with JDRF for as long as they can remember.

Austin is now in his third year of medical school and is passionate about helping others with T1D get the healthcare that they deserve. All the while, he also serves as an Outreach Ambassador for the JDRF Mountain West Chapter, supporting newly diagnosed individuals and families on their new journey.

Kristin Greiner, RDN

Outreach Ambassador Chair

Nutritionist, Foodsmart

Kristin is currently a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), working for the largest tele-nutrition company in the country, Foodsmart, to help her clients manage varying chronic conditions, such as diabetes, through nutrition. She also became a type 1 diabetes (T1D) mom when her son, who is now 8 years old, was diagnosed as a baby.

Kristin is currently working towards becoming a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES), believing that nutrition plays a very important role in the successful management of T1D. She also volunteers her time as the Outreach Ambassador Chair for the JDRF Mountain West Chapter, helping to advance the mission of delivering cures for T1D by offering support to newly diagnosed individuals and families.

When Kristin isn’t working or volunteering, you’ll find her enjoying some of her favorite hobbies, such as reading, snowboarding, trying a new recipe, or spending time with her family.

Virdi Hernandez

Healthcare Provider Partner

Family Health Navigator, Children's Hospital Colorado

Viridiana (Virdi) Hernandez is currently a Family Health Navigator at Children's Hospital Colorado, serving type 1 diabetes patients in Colorado Springs. Her job involves helping families find resources in the community that can assist them with physical and social needs.

Virdi graduated from Colorado Christian University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, along with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. She is very passionate about her job and wants to ensure that all patients have their needs met, so they can succeed in their diabetes management.

Andrea Houk, RN, CDCES

Executive Director, Diabetes Resource Nurses of Colorado, Inc.

Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) at age 13, and after struggling for years with knowing how to manage everything, Andrea realized the importance of being well-educated about diabetes and having the tools needed to live well with this complex disease.

Because of this realization, Andrea became a Registered Nurse (RN) and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES), and since 2004, has worked as a personal coach to help people of all ages and in all stages of diabetes and prediabetes to manage their health in practical ways.

Currently she operates a small private diabetes consultation service in the Southern Colorado region and is the Executive Director of the Diabetes Resource Nurses of Colorado, Inc., a program whose mission is to ensure safe, evidence-based care for children with diabetes in Colorado schools and childcare settings.

In addition to educating people about diabetes, she also enjoys mountain biking with her husband, amateur photography, and participating in various church ministries.