Hand Therapy

Paulina Alas earned her Doctor of Occupational Therapy from the University of St. Augustine, following a Bachelor of Science in Health Studies from Texas Woman’s University. Her doctoral capstone developed a pediatric prosthetic training program at Scottish Rite Orthopedic Hospital. She began her career at Parkland Health, treating post-operative hand patients at the Simmons Ambulatory Orthopedic Surgical Center and the Moody Outpatient Clinic, where her caseload included flexor and extensor tendon repairs, fractures, thumb reconstructions, and nerve repairs, along with conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, and trigger finger. She also treated acute and subacute burn patients with an emphasis on scar management, orthotic fabrication, edema control, and restoring functional range of motion. Paulina attended the 2025 American Burn Association Conference and is pursuing advanced training in hand and upper extremity rehabilitation in preparation for the Certified Hand Therapist examination. She is bilingual in Spanish and English.

Mary Ann Appleby received her Bachelor of Science degree in Occupation Therapy from University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston and earned her master’s from Texas Woman’s University. She owned Dallas Hand Rehabilitation for 39 years and officed with hand surgeon Sigurd Sandzen during the first 15 years of the practice. She became a certified hand therapist in 1991. Mary Ann has published several research articles on hand rehabilitation in peer review journals and presented at local, state, and national conferences on the subject. She has been a fieldwork supervisor since starting her career. She joined Texas Hand and Arm Center in 2020 and enjoys working with the surgeons that have cared both for herself and four generations of her extended family for various orthopedic needs. Mary Ann is a member of the DFW Hand Interest group, Texas Society for Hand Therapy, the American Society of Hand Therapists and the Riordan Society.

Melissa Herrera earned her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia, where she graduated summa cum laude, after completing a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at the University of Texas at Arlington, also summa cum laude. She began her career in outpatient orthopedics at Arlington Orthopedic Associates, where she completed her clinical internship before joining the practice as an occupational therapist. There she carried a full caseload of up to eighteen patients a day, performing comprehensive evaluations and re-evaluations, developing individualized treatment plans, and fabricating custom static orthoses with an emphasis on patient and family education. Melissa has since earned her Certified Hand Therapist credential. She is bilingual and is passionate about working with a diverse patient population.

Alicia Paiboon is a Certified Hand Therapist who has treated hand and upper extremity injuries in the DFW area for over 20 years. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Louisiana, Monroe in 1994 and moved to Texas shortly after completing her degree. She began her career in inpatient rehabilitation but quickly gravitated toward outpatient hand therapy. Alicia obtained her Certified Hand Therapy credentials in 2000. Since this time, she has served in both clinical and management roles at area hospitals and outpatient clinics. She has worked with Dr. Megan Wood since 2013. Her passion lies in working with complex hand injuries and helping patients achieve their goals. Alicia is a member of the Texas Society of Hand Therapists.

Taylor Villeda received her Doctor of Occupational Therapy from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, following a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from Texas Tech University, where she graduated cum laude. Her doctoral fieldwork spanned adult rehabilitation at University Medical Center in Lubbock and home health pediatrics with Angels of Care, along with placements in an adult day program and an early childhood developmental setting. Before beginning her graduate studies, she worked at Trustpoint Rehabilitation Hospital as a patient care technician and rehabilitation technician, caring for adult and pediatric patients and carrying out treatment programs under the direction of physical and occupational therapists. At Texas Hand and Arm Center, Taylor focuses on the treatment and rehabilitation of upper extremity conditions.