Our Mission

At Althea, we believe that every amputee deserves access to the care they need to live fully and independently. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2020, our mission is to connect underserved amputees with life-changing prosthetic care. Through direct fundraising and personalized patient navigation, we help individuals access prostheses by guiding them through insurance qualification, transportation, and other critical support services. We believe prostheses are not just medical devices, but essential tools for restoring mobility, independence, and a return to active, healthy lives.

Why we want to help

  • Growing Population of Amputees: Over 2 million individuals in the United States are living with limb loss, a number projected to double by 2050 with 185,000 amputations performed annually.
  • Health Disparities: Minority populations experience amputation rates up to four times higher than non-minorities, highlighting significant healthcare inequities. 
  • Barriers to Prosthetic Care: Factors such as high costs, limited insurance coverage, and lack of transportation prevent many amputees from obtaining necessary prosthetic devices.

Our Approach

While our primary focus is on facilitating access to prosthetic care, we recognize that comprehensive support extends beyond providing prosthetic devices. Our holistic approach includes:​

  • Patient Navigation: Assisting individuals in navigating the complex healthcare system to secure insurance coverage and access necessary medical services.​
  • Transportation Assistance: Providing solutions to overcome transportation barriers, ensuring patients can attend medical appointments and rehabilitation sessions.​
  • Advocacy for Healthy Lifestyles: Promoting exercise, fitness, and wellness to improve overall health outcomes and reduce the risk of secondary conditions.​

By addressing these areas, we aim to empower amputees not only through prosthetic care but also by supporting their journey toward a healthier and more active life.

Leadership

Levi Travis
Executive Director

Levi co-founded Althea after a medical mission trip to Costa Rica inspired him to address the barriers amputees face in accessing prosthetic care. He is a medical student at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (Class of 2026) and a member of the Gold Humanism Honor Society. As Executive Director, Levi leads daily operations, fundraising, and strategic direction. He is passionate about limb loss care and creating equitable access to healthcare. 

Belén Wertheimer

  Vice President, Programs & Outreach

Belén was inspired to co-found Althea after a close family member lost a limb from complications of diabetes, a preventable outcome worsened by poor access to care. She is currently a medical student at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (Class of 2027). At Althea, she oversees patient outreach and prosthetic care coordination, building partnerships with healthcare providers and community organizations to expand access. Belén is especially interested in equitable healthcare delivery for Latinx and other underserved communities.

Pedro Almeida

Director of Operations

Pedro is the Director of Operations and Co-Founder of Althea Non-Profit Organization. As a PhD candidate in Ocean Engineering, and an AI & CFD Specialist, Pedro hopes to employ his fluid modeling work to research prosthesis modeling and hemodynamics using advanced technology. We hope you are as excited as he is to join this journey to bring prostheses to those who desperately need them but cannot access them.