Melanie Duran works full time as an inpatient diabetes educator at UNM Hospitals, and is an active member of AADE, participating on the Zia Association of Diabetes Educators coordinating body board. Melanie is currently in school for a DNP in Family Nurse Practitioner with University of Missouri, and keeps herself busy with a wonderful husband, Michael and daughter, Madeline. Melanie enjoys reading in her spare time, and playing cello with her daughter.
Angelica Urtiaga is born and raised in New Mexico. Wife and mother of two very active boys (5 & 6). She wanted to be a nurse to help her community. She has been working for the New Mexico veterans affairs for 4 years. Recently as the Inpatient CDE. Her background also includes working as a NICU nurse for 3 years.
She loves what she does, giving back to those that gave to our country. She looks forward to serving ZADE and all those with a passion for diabetes education.
Jessica Torres was born and raised in New Mexico. She has a master’s of science in nursing, specifically in advanced diabetes management, is a registered nurse, and also a certified diabetes educator. She was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was 11 years old and has been living a healthy, complication free, life for the past 20 years. Shortly after diagnosis she knew she wanted a career in diabetes and it is the reason that she became a nurse and diabetes educator. It is her passion to be involved in the diabetes community on a local and National level. She currently work as a diabetes clinical specialist for Tandem Diabetes care, an insulin pump company, and she covers the state of New Mexico, West Texas, and El Paso. She has been fortunate to have the opportunity to meet and forge many relationships in the diabetes community. Diabetes educators are the core and heart of diabetes management, and it is her goal through ZADE to give back to our diabetes educators in New Mexico
Jessica Kirk is also born and raised in New Mexico. She spends her free time volunteering in the diabetes community and taking care of her high maintenance cat. Jessica holds an MSN in nursing education and is a certified diabetes educator as well as a certified pediatric nurse. Like Jessica Torres, Jessica Kirk was diagnosed with T1D at a young age so has a special place in her heart for diabetes management and diabetes education. Jessica is excited to meet CDEs across the state and give back to AADE!!!