THE PRACTICE: Stephen F. Sullivan, M.D., is founder, owner and CEO of Eye Health Vision Centers, which has been in business for 25 years. In 1999, the practice serviced 65,000 patients, and sold 22,000 pairs of eyeglasses and 30,000 pairs of contact lenses.

LOCATIONS: Eye Health Vision Centers' main office is a 40,000-square-foot facility in North Dartmouth, Mass. Satellite offices are established in Middletown R.I., Taunton, Mass. and Fairhaven, Mass.

PRACTICE SUMMARY: Dr. Sullivan employs a staff of 164 employees, including 11 ophthalmologists, 13 optometrists and 15 licensed opticians. Eye Health Vision Centers offers the services of glaucoma treatment, lacrimal and pediatric eye care, transpupillary thermotherapy and laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

SURGICAL FOCUS: Dr. Sullivan categorizes the care his practice provides as comprising 59% cataracts and 30% LASIK, with the remaining 11% encompassing oculoplastics, retina transplants and corneal transplants.

PREFERRED INSTRUMENTS: For cataract surgery, the Millennium Phaco. For LASIK, the VISX Star S2 excimer laser and the Moria microkeratome LSK One with the Evolution II System.

PREFERRED MEDICATIONS: Dexacidin, Pred Forte, Ocuflox, Fluorometholone, Timoptic-XE, Acular and Alphagan.

GROWTH AREAS: Each year, since 1996, the practice's optical department has experienced a surge in sales. LASIK is a growth area as well.

SLOW SPOTS: "Fortunately," says Dr. Sullivan, "none of our areas of service are decreasing. Paradoxically, our most rapidly growing area, LASIK, has not grown as quickly as anticipated. Our particular geographic area -- Massachusetts and Rhode Island -- is relatively conservative, and this appears to have been the major impediment to rapid growth."

MANAGEMENT PHILOSOPHY: "My philosophy is comprised of three parts:

"First, we're committed to patient satisfaction by welcoming walk-ins and offering any of our surgical or medical services within 2 weeks. Additionally, we make every effort to facilitate patient communication by giving each patient a pamphlet or handout relative to their medical or refractive condition.

"Second, our three satellite locations have an identical 'planagrammed' setup. This maximizes efficiency because my staff and I can function smoothly without having to adapt to a site's variations.

"And third, we continually reward and recognize staff performance. I consider the staff to be a practice's most valuable asset. Their level of satisfaction and contentment is critical. Open interaction and constant communication, along with continuous education and rewards, are essential to the maintenance of staff morale."