Cleveland Clinic and StarBak Communications Work Together to Enhance Distance Learning

Business Wire, Sept 18, 2006

CLEVELAND & WALTHAM, Mass. -- Cleveland Clinic, one of the largest and most respected nonprofit multi-specialty academic medical centers in the country, and StarBak Communications, the leading provider of integrated network video solutions, today announced a collaboration to revolutionize the learning opportunities available to Cleveland-area schools through state-of-the-art distance learning programs.

StarBak is providing its Integrated Network Video (INV) platform to facilitate video streaming and archiving in order that Cleveland Clinic's video archive and distance learning programs be more accessible to Cleveland-area schools in a variety of formats.

"With this new infrastructure in place, we can offer new and expanded educational opportunities and outreach to enrich the learning of Cleveland-area students," said Rosalind Strickland, Senior Director of the Office of Civic Education Initiatives at Cleveland Clinic.

Last May, Cleveland Clinic launched a new digital-learning initiative in collaboration with Cleveland Municipal School District and the OneCommunity network to bring creative educational experiences to students throughout Cleveland. As part of its continued commitment to Cleveland Schools, Cleveland Clinic is using the new digital classroom capabilities to provide distance-learning curriculums, including live surgery broadcasts, to students and teachers. Those who view the broadcasts are able to participate in interactive discussions with Cleveland Clinic researchers and clinicians, directly from their classrooms.

Approximately 105 schools now have access to Cleveland Clinic's distance-learning programs, an accomplishment made possible by the connectivity of OneCommunity, a Cleveland-based broadband network, and the Clinic's financial support. In addition to remote field trips, the Clinic is developing lessons to maximize the benefit of its resources and medical expertise for teachers and students in kindergarten through grade 12.

"StarBak's technology and expertise will facilitate the delivery of rich content from Cleveland Clinic's video libraries to the schools in a way that is easily accessible to students and teachers for live and on-demand learning," said Mark Hill, StarBak's Senior Vice President for Business Development. "This has the potential to reduce operating costs, while simplifying access to Cleveland Clinic's rich intellectual and scientific resources to enhance educational opportunities."

About StarBak Communications, Inc.(R) - Where video applications converge.

StarBak Communications provides a complete IP-based video communications platform that allows organizations to simply and easily create, manage, deliver and display video applications. StarBak's solutions are used by hundreds of companies worldwide, including many of the Fortune 500, government agencies, and educational institutions. StarBak solutions are available through a network of value-added resellers and full-service integrators. StarBak is a fully authorized, licensed and certified partner for Microsoft Windows Media. StarBak technology is also available to OEMs requiring Windows Media streaming capabilities in Linux and UNIX-based devices. For more information, visit http://www.starbak.com

About Cleveland Clinic

The Clinic's Office of Civic Education Initiatives was established to fulfill the Cleveland Clinic's commitment to promote education throughout Northeast Ohio. In partnership with area schools, local businesses, and fellow nonprofit organizations, the Office creates innovative programs designed to enhance children's learning in the areas of math, science, health and wellness, the arts, and innovation. Programs include summer science and nursing internships, an interdisciplinary program for art and science and several health education programs for elementary school students, including Spotlight on Learning, which incorporates health education with theatre.

Cleveland Clinic, located in Cleveland, Ohio, is a not-for-profit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Cleveland Clinic was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. U.S. News & World Report consistently names Cleveland Clinic as one of the nation's best hospitals in its annual "America's Best Hospitals" survey. Approximately 1,500 full-time salaried physicians at Cleveland Clinic and Cleveland Clinic Florida represent more than 100 medical specialties and subspecialties. In 2005, there were 2.9 million outpatient visits to Cleveland Clinic. Patients came for treatment from every state and from more than 80 countries. There were nearly 54,000 hospital admissions to Cleveland Clinic in 2005. For more information, visit www.clevelandclinic.org.

StarBak Communications, Inc.(R) and StarBak(R) are registered trademarks of StarBak Communications, Inc. Other product or service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.