The Story of Keith J. Palmer
Spinal Implant Surgical Consultant | Philanthropist | Honorable Military Service | Innovator | Outside of the Box Thinker
Hey, I'm Keith, and I've been on a ride that’s lasted 27 years so far.
It all started back when I was serving my country as a certified surgical assistant in the Air Force. Those were intense days—deep in the OR, assisting on complex procedures and witnessing firsthand how healthcare can change lives. I might be wearing suits now, but my mission hasn’t changed one bit: to make a real difference in healthcare and give back to the community.
Achievements & Milestones
Surgical Expertise:
I've facilitated over 5,700 procedures, from guiding neurosurgeons through complex spinal tumor surgeries to C-sections.
As an instructor I've trained upcoming medical device reps and as CEO of MedWell I trained my own team of highly skilled medical device reps.
Philanthropic Impact:
My journey has allowed me to give back in big ways. I've made financial contributions to breast cancer research, supported programs for military members and their families, and volunteered for the deaf and hard of hearing.
Industry Recognition:
MedWell Solutions and our medical device reps team has conducted thousands of spinal implants with positive patient outcomes.
Medwell has received government contracts, funding support from respected organizations like BeyGood (Beyoncé and NAACP), the Dallas Entrepreneur Center (DEC), Facebook, LiftFund, SBA's Emerging Leaders, and the Goldman Sachs Small Business Program.
"Considered a fool 'cause I dropped out of high school, stereotypes of a black male misunderstood." Biggie
HERE’S MY STORY...
From The Bronx to The Military
Growing up in the Bronx, I knew what it felt like to be counted out. Nobody was expecting me to make it. I was raised by my grandparents, and school? Yeah, that wasn't my thing. I was the "handful," always in trouble for something. I was that kid they thought wouldn't amount to much. You know the type—the one teachers talk about behind closed doors, saying he's got no future. It’s rough when no one sees your potential, when you feel like you’ve got no one in your corner.
So I joined the Air Force because I needed structure, some guidance. That's where I learned the ropes of surgical work, assisting in some of the most intense procedures you can imagine. You want to talk about pressure? Try holding an instrument steady while a surgeon is working on someone’s spine. But I loved it. It was my way out, my shot at building a life. It was intense, but it was also the beginning of everything that came later.
Sky's the Limit: Medical Device Sales
After my time in the military, I went to college. Yeah, me—the kid with the bad grades—earning dual degrees in Marketing and Finance. I did internships with the U.S. House of Representatives, Merrill Lynch, and Radio One. I was hungry, and I was hustling.
When I landed a job at Johnson & Johnson as a medical device sales rep, earning high six figures, I felt like I'd made it. But working at Johnson & Johnson was no walk in the park; it was a crash course in high-stakes sales, where I had to know my product inside and out. I was not just selling devices—I was convincing top surgeons and hospital administrators that these were life-saving tools worth their trust.
The real challenge was learning to navigate the medical field while building solid relationships with professionals who didn't take nonsense from anyone. You had to earn their respect and keep it. This role wasn't just about selling; it was about educating, connecting, and finding a way into some of the most competitive environments out there. That experience? It shaped everything I became after. I took what I learned at J&J and used it as the cornerstone for building MedWell Solutions.
Mo Money, Mo Problems
And due to unforeseen circumstances and obvious writing on the wall (long story I will spare you), I decided to move on from the company. Although it was best for me, professionally at the time, my bank account didn't agree. Pushed out. Let go. (long story I will spare you) That was a tough blow. I lost it all. I was so broke I couldn't even afford my own place. I had to rent a room in someone’s house in Dallas—some random person I found on Craigslist. I was embarrassed, so I told no one. I went from being a top rep in Houston to having to start over from scratch in a new city. And to make matters worse, I couldn't even leverage my network because of a non-compete agreement. It was like life was throwing everything at me, just to see if I'd quit.
Everyday Struggle
I had to rebuild everything. So I started knocking on doors and making calls, hearing "no" more times than I could count. It felt like I was back at square one, and it hurt. Touching success only to fall back to zero is a different kind of struggle. But I wasn't about to give up. That quote from Arnold Palmer kept ringing in my ears, 'The most rewarding things you do in life are often the ones that look like they can't be done.' So I kept going.
Notorious Comeback
Eventually, I started Imperium Surgical Partners, which later became MedWell Solutions. I was on a mission to prove to myself and everyone else that I could make it, even after hitting rock bottom. I duplicated myself and built and trained a team of expert surgical techs. With hard work and a lot of perseverance, we've built a multi-million dollar revenue stream, I built houses that looked like they belonged on a Pinterest millionaire's vision board, and established a company dedicated to empowering others.
Juicy: "It Was All a Dream..."
I'm not telling you this to brag. I'm sharing it because I know what it's like to start from the bottom. To be a kid in the Bronx never seeing success look like me. To be told you can’t make it. But if I can do it, so can you. The most rewarding things really are the ones that seem impossible at first. It’s about not giving up when the world tells you no, and finding that inner strength to keep going.
But my journey has never been just about the money. I wanted to make a real impact. At MedWell, we convert a portion of our sales into cash donations for nonprofits. It's my way of giving back and helping others who might be going through their own tough times.
So yeah, I've been through it all—the highs and the lows. But that's the thing about the journey; it's not just about where you end up. It's about what you do along the way. If you're reading this and you've had your own share of setbacks, just remember, it's not over. Keep pushing, keep believing, and you'll get there. Because life is about making a difference, and that's something we can all do.
Making a Difference, One Step at a Time
For me, it's not just about business—it's about giving back. I’ve always felt that if you're in a position to make a difference, you should. And that's what I intend to do. If you're interested in partnering, collaborating, or just sharing ideas, I'd love to connect. Let’s create a healthcare landscape that’s about more than just medicine; let's make it about heart, community, and positive change.
"If you don’t know, now you know." Biggie
Reach Out
info@medwellsolutions.com