SME’s David Rouen III Chronicles Personal PT Journey and Company’s Evolution

David Rouen III currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer of Superior Medical Equipment (SME), a physical therapy equipment distributor which recently became a Foundation Partner in Research. In this interview, he shares his deeply personal experience with physical therapy, an experience which inspired David—who had been considering a career in law or politics—to enter the PT industry and the family business. He also talks about SME’s founding, the company’s culture and values, and the ongoing partnership between SME and the Foundation. SME recently became a Foundation Partner in Research. David opens the interview by sharing his personal PT story.

If it’s alright, there’s something I always like to share in personal conversations like this. There’s always an assumption that being in the family business was my predetermined path; however, that wasn’t the case for me. I originally wanted to pursue a career in law and eventually get into politics, but my life took an unexpected turn when I almost lost my right hand in a severe car accident. After five intensive surgeries, I went to physical therapy for over a year to relearn how to use my right hand. What made this journey special was my therapist, Kathy, who was a former track runner at NC State.

Kathy faced her own challenges after a car accident left her paralyzed from the waist down. Despite her adversity, Kathy continued to drive herself to work every day, dedicating her life to helping people like me. Seeing her passion and resilience firsthand immediately captivated my interest in pursuing a career in physical therapy. Many years later, I encountered Kathy at a gas station. Despite not having seen her for over a decade, she remembered my name and inquired about my hand. Our reunion reaffirmed my choice to pursue this career. I share this story to highlight my personal connection with the industry, which extends beyond our family business. It’s a journey that transformed my life, especially through the influence of remarkable individuals like Kathy.

Can you give us some background on SME? How and when was the company founded, and how did it grow?

My parents founded SME, Inc. USA in a small Baltimore apartment in 1992. While the company initially focused on medical billing, my parents realized there was a need for sourcing everyday clinic essentials like resistance band, exercise balls, etc. Our apartment started to look less like a home and more like a miniature warehouse with products stored underneath our beds, in our living room, and in our closets. We quickly outgrew our apartment and moved the operation into a house where the entire second floor was outfitted as a call center and our 2-car garage as a warehouse. Through hard work and determination, we eventually broke ground on our eventual headquarters and fulfillment center in coastal Wilmington, North Carolina.

David and his oldest daughter, Bridgette, working at his desk. David hopes that one day Bridgette will become a third-generation owner of SME, Inc. USA.

Can you describe SME’s culture/values and tell us how they relate to supporting an organization like the Foundation?  

Our culture is rooted in what we call “servant leadership” where we collectively put the needs of each other and our clients above our own individual needs. Our clients definitely pick up on this, which is why we have won Feefo’s top “Trusted Service Award” for five consecutive years. We believe the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research also practices “servant leadership” by prioritizing the advancement of physical therapy research above all.

What motivated your organization to become a Foundation Partner-in-Research?

Several years ago, we began working with a group of physical therapists that created a program reselling electrodes to other therapists. SME, Inc. USA handled the warehousing & fulfillment of these orders, and a percentage of their sales was donated to APTA PAC groups in various states. Despite their tremendous reach and financial impact, the group decided to cease operations and focus on their own private practices. Realizing the void, we knew we had to pick up the torch and contribute somehow. After expressing our desires at last year’s North Carolina APTA Conference, several board members suggested the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research as a possible partner for our vision. The rest is history!

David and a few members of the SME warehouse team loading up a car with PPE supplies for the Good Shepherd Center in Wilmington.

How does advancing physical therapy research benefit SME?

By supporting physical therapy research, we are excited to help contribute to the overall growth and development of physical therapy. A stronger practice benefits everyone, but, most importantly, the patients. As a distributor, we are eager to collaborate with manufacturers to develop new products that meet the needs of innovation.

How do you envision the Foundation and SME working together in the future?

We envision a long-term partnership, with ambitious plans for the upcoming year. On top of our sponsorship, we will donate a percentage of select sales to the foundation on a quarterly basis. As our relationship evolves, we would like to establish our own scholarship within the Foundation. Our dedication extends beyond research, emphasizing a long-term commitment to bringing substantial value as a company.

David speaks at Rock Steady Boxing’s Coach Con event.