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Technology in Its Prime
A WISE INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE
“They’re using technology in a way that brings humanity — as well as more accurate diagnoses — to patients. It’s really amazing, and we want to support that kind of excellence in care,” says Annette Zimmerman, CEO of PrimeWay Federal Credit Union, referencing PrimeWay’s recent gift to the Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital Excellence Fund.
Opened in March 2025, Houston Methodist Cypress is home to some of today’s most state-of-the-art medical technology. Robot systems enhance surgical precision to enable minimally invasive procedures that speed recovery. Modern patient rooms streamline care with advancements like artificial intelligence (AI) and remote monitoring. And integrated voice-response systems improve patients’ comfort by increasing their control over their environments, allowing them to adjust room lighting, make calls, interact with entertainment systems and more without lifting a finger.
Trent Fulin, the hospital’s senior vice president and CEO, notes that medical technology often gets an undeserved reputation for seeming impersonal. “Ambient listening tools actually allow our physicians to interact with patients in ways that are more personal, not less,” he explains. “Rather than sitting behind a computer screen and typing notes, they can give patients their full attention and have more natural conversations while the AI takes care of documentation.” He points out that automating documentation also frees up significant time for clinicians, who can then reinvest that time into patient care.
"AMBIENT LISTENING TOOLS ACTUALLY ALLOW OUR PHYSICIANS TO INTERACT WITH PATIENTS IN WAYS THAT ARE MORE PERSONAL, NOT LESS."
PrimeWay’s support for Houston Methodist, which began in 1994, goes far beyond the financial. True to their mission as a community-centered, not-for-profit organization, PrimeWay also provides free financial literacy classes to students participating in Houston Methodist’s patient care assistant (PCA) externship. Open to high school graduating seniors, the PCA externship offers at-risk students the opportunity to gain hands-on training and experience, after which they qualify to apply for open PCA positions within the hospital network. The addition of a sound financial education helps further prepare these young adults for success as they begin their new careers as medical professionals.
“Our goal is to provide support to all of the Houston Methodist team and help alleviate the stress of managing their personal finances,” adds T. W. Jolly, PrimeWay’s executive vice president. “If we can make their staff’s lives easier, that staff can then better serve the people who need their care.”
In honor of PrimeWay’s latest philanthropic gift, the grand entry atrium at Houston Methodist Cypress will be renamed the PrimeWay Healthcare Community Credit Union Atrium. “It’s a beautiful, serene space,” says Fulin. “The atrium is a very appropriate symbol of the peace of mind both Houston Methodist and PrimeWay seek to bring to the communities we serve.”
