Martin Bowen Hefley Knee & Sports PA

Drs. Ken Martin, Scott Bowen and William Hefley had successful orthopedic practices, but they thought they could do more.

So they joined forces in 1999 and formed Martin Bowen Hefley Knee & Sports PA.

“We felt like we were all good surgeons and took good care of the patients,” Hefley said. “It all seemed to be a good fit.”

Since the practice opened, its business has taken off. Revenue jumped from $2 million in 1999 to $5 million in 2001. In 2003, it was $11 million, said Hefley, who is a partner in the group.

Hefley said the secret to the revenue growth was adding physicians and athletic trainers to the group and offering more services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy and a spine rehabilitation program.

The doctors also try to “stay on the cutting edge by offering procedures that aren’t available elsewhere,” Hefley said.

But the real key to its success is how the approximately 95 employees treat the patients, Hefley said.

Making sure the patient is satisfied “is what has driven the growth,” Hefley said. “We’re all about making the patient happy, and we strive very hard to do that,” he said.

Office administrators pour over patient surveys to look for ways to improve patient service.

With two offices in Little Rock and an office that is open part-time in North Little Rock, Martin Bowen Hefley is planning to add an office in Jacksonville and extend the North Little Rock office’s hours to full time. It is also working on adding three more physicians in the next 18 months.

The practice makes a point to be involved in community activities.

It provides athletic trainer services to 22 schools in central Arkansas. It also conducts more than 1,500 free physical exams annually for junior high and high school students. It also offers athletic trainer services to the Arkansas State Soccer Association and supports the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Combine.

“We try to give back,” Hefley said.