AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Blanca Cardenas and Karen Gardner and reappointed DeLana Honaker, Ph.D. to the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners for terms set to expire on February 1, 2023. Additionally, the Governor reappointed Stephanie Johnston, O.T.D., Sally Harris King, and Pamela Nelon for terms set to expire February 1, 2021. The Governor named Johnston presiding officer of the board. The board licenses and regulates occupational therapy services in the state of Texas.

Blanca Cardenas of Mission is the vice president of Membership Services at the McAllen Chamber of Commerce. She is a member of the American Chamber of Commerce Executives, McAllen Crime Stoppers, and McAllen South Rotary Club. She previously served on the board of McAllen Citizen’s League, American Diabetes Association, and the South Texas Youth Symphony. Cardenas attended the University of Pan American.

Karen Gardner of Brenham is the owner of Silver Lining Therapy, LLC, the clinic specializes in community based occupational therapy activities, hippotherapy, and animal assisted therapy services. She currently is an adjunct professor for a community college and is a faculty member of the American Hippotherapy Association. Previously, she served as a supervisor and director of several rehabilitation centers and clinics. She is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association, Texas Occupational Therapy Association, and the American Hippotherapy Association. Gardner received a Bachelor of Science in zoology and physiology from The University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Occupational Therapy from Texas Woman’s University.

DeLana Honaker Ph.D., of Amarillo is CEO of Health Harmony Therapy, which provides occupational therapy services centered on lymphedema and chronic venous issues. In addition to serving as a supervisor and director of several rehabilitation centers, she spent 23 years serving children with special needs, and 18 years as an adjunct and associate professor. She is a member of the Editorial Review Board of the American Journal of Occupational Therapy and the Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, and is a member of and served on several leadership roles for the American Occupational Therapy Association. Honaker received a Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, and a Doctor of Philosophy in occupational therapy from Texas Woman’s University.

Stephanie Johnston, O.T.D. of Magnolia is professor and fieldwork coordinator for the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Lone Stare College – Tomball. She previously served as a supervisor of several rehabilitation centers. She is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association, Texas Occupational Therapy Association, and World Federation of Occupational Therapy. She is a volunteer with Meals on Wheels and former volunteer with Habitat for Humanity. Johnston received a Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, and a Post Professional Clinical Doctorate in occupational therapy from Texas Woman’s University.

Sally Harris King of Houston is a certified occupational therapy assistant with Harris Health System. She is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association, Texas Occupational Therapy Association, and National Alliance for Mental Health. She is a volunteer with the Houston Food Bank and No One Dies Alone and a former volunteer with Rebuild Houston. King received an Occupational Therapy Assistant Certification from Houston Community College, and has a practice area of emphasis in mental health designation from the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy.

Pamela Nelon of Fort Worth is a realtor with Virginia Cook Realtors, and previously owned Nelon Consultants. She is a member of the National Association of Realtors and a past committee member of the American Cancer Society. She is a volunteer with the North Texas Animal Shelter, Safe Haven Women’s Shelter, and Mayfest Festival in Fort Worth. Nelon is a licensed realtor and received a Bachelor of Arts in marketing and advertising from Dallas Baptist University.