Gulf Coast fully reopened in late May, although not all of the facili-
ty's surgeons are at their pre-coronavirus case volume. The center is
busy, however, because most of the patients whose cases have been
postponed have rescheduled, which Ms. Blackwood chalks up in part
to the patient financing options the facility offers.
"Struggling to afford treatment is a heavy load for any patient, espe-
cially those who are facing a stressful surgery," says Ms. Blackwood.
"Securing a loan is a huge relief for them. It means they don't have to
postpone treatment. And it's a big boost to us because it helps us
cover operating costs so we can keep the center up and running dur-
ing this difficult time."
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