Houston Daily

Governor Greg Abbott has announced the appointment of Chelsea Howell Garcia and the reappointment of Karen Gardner to the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners. Their terms will expire on February 1, 2027, and February 1, 2029, respectively. The board is responsible for licensing and regulating occupational therapy services within the state.

Chelsea Howell Garcia hails from McAllen and owns EMRoy Express LLC in Edinburg. She holds a position as vice chair of the McAllen Disability Board and is affiliated with the Organization of Women Executives. Her educational background includes attending Stark College and Seminary.

Karen Gardner, based in Brenham, owns Silver Lining Therapy, LLC. Her clinic offers community-based occupational therapy activities along with hippotherapy and animal-assisted therapy services. Gardner serves as an adjunct professor at a community college and is part of the American Hippotherapy Association (AHA) faculty. She has previously held roles as a supervisor and director at various rehabilitation centers and clinics. Her professional memberships include the American Occupational Therapy Association, Texas Occupational Therapy Association, and AHA. Gardner's academic credentials comprise 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.