Officers and Key Members
2023
Alpha I Sanusi, BOCPO
President
Walking toward the doors of a local restaurant during a trip to West Africa, Alpha Sanusi spotted a group of tattered men asking for spare change outside. This was not an uncommon scene in the third-world country of Sierra Leone, but this instance struck a sensitive nerve for the southern California business owner visiting his native home. His pocket coins clinked as they landed into each of their cups and hands, their expressions grateful while coming face to face with the atrocities of his country’s past conflicts.
“They had amputated arms, amputated legs, they were on crutches,” he remembers. “This could have been me. I’m no better than these guys, I was just lucky to be in the right place at the right time.”
It was a narrow escape from a rebel attack during the Freetown Civil War in 1997 that uprooted Alpha to the United States safely, but not without the stinging memory of the war’s signature barbarity: limb amputation. His witnessing of the war’s aftermath of mutilation caught fire with his entrepreneurial spirit and humanitarian warmth. This moment would be the first rung on his ladder to success as a business owner. It was the beginning step for ALCAM Medical Orthotics and Prosthetics, and a hopeful stride for the victims of the disfigured victims of Freetown.
“Ever since I was a little boy, I knew I wanted to be something in life that would translate to helping others,” he proclaims. “I didn’t know specifically what I wanted to be, but I knew it was to give back to my community.”
This strong yearning to offer a helping hand was instilled within Alpha since childhood, and it would be the compass to guide him to his future rise in business. Alpha is the co-owner of Alcam Medical orthotics and prosthetics with 9 location throughout southern California. He became Board certified orthotist and prosthetist with the hope of giving back to his community Being the newly elected President of the international African American prosthetic orthotic coalition, Alpha hopes to use this platform to promote his mission as a community leader and contributor.
Tony Thaxton Jr. CPO, LPO
Treasurer
Nationally certified Prosthetist-Orthotist by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics, & Pedorthics (ABC), and licensed by the State of Georgia to provide custom Prosthetic and Orthotic services, Tony has provided P&O services since 1982. Before relocating to Atlanta, Ga. Tony worked in New Orleans, LA for twenty years and had brief stays in Orlando, Fl., Seattle, Wa., and Augusta , Ga.
Upon graduating from the University of Washington in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science in P&O, Tony trained in Orlando, Florida with JE Hanger, Inc. Continuing his training in New Orleans, Tony completed his Prosthetic certification in 1984 and Orthotics certification in 1986. “While my early interests were in prosthetics, I have grown to enjoy orthotics.”
To contact Tony Thaxton Jr. please email him at thaxton.jr@comcast.net .