Harrison, Carlene & Harrison, William P. Introduction to Health Care Finance and Accounting

Chapter 10, Case study No. 10-2, Page. 187 Drs. Draper and Keys run a partnership family medical practice in Brownsville, Texas. While the practice is profitable, both physicians are making payments on heavy debt loads for student loans that financed their medical training. A significant percentage of their patient base is made up of Winter Texans, retirees from Americas heartland who choose to winter in a warmer climate. The positive cash flow in the winter months is more than sufficient to offset negative cash flow during the slower summer months. The permanent staff of the practice is needed to support operations during the winter months, and the partners do not want to lose trained and effective staff members from layoffs during the summer months. They have tried using part-time employees during the winter months; however, the local economy does not have a pool of trained medical staff available for part-time work. The partners have met with their local banker to discuss this seasonal problem. Required: What would be an effective solution for the banker to recommend?