It seems to be a friends in the news sort of day today as I catch up on my inbox reading. Peter Csathy and my friends at SightSpeed released the press announcement below today.

While Peter and I have spent many hours on SightSpeed talking about uses of their superb video technology in the past couple of years, I don't know that I ever told him about my personal experience and involvement in developing a network solution to support telemedicine at Charles Drew University a number of years back in my past.

To actually deliver MRI-caliber video is an extreme technological effort, but SightSpeed is taking the right approach. They've joined the Telemedicine Association to help promote access to medical care. SightSpeed isn't, in my humble view, the right solution for something like a remote surgeon studying an MRI. Where SightSpeed absolutely excels is in the person-to-person communications arena.

Imagine the advances in medical services available when a consulting physician can be available via video conference to answer questions. For those of us who've actively used SightSpeed under less that ideal network conditions, it's easy to appreciate how useful video access to a consulting physician might be from the scene of a disaster (earthquake, flood or fire) to the first responders on the scene - the "boots and suits" as we say in disaster response. Add to that the noble efforts of health care volunteers around the world who can gain access to consultative support when working in remote areas, but able to gain satellite Internet access.

In short, this is one of the areas where I think SightSpeed technology not only excels, but the company demonstrates a commitment to leveraging their technology to make the world a better place for us all to live in. You can read the release below, but this is my personal tip of the hat to Peter and the great folks at SightSpeed.

SIGHTSPEED JOINS AMERICAN TELEMEDICINE ASSOCIATION

Internet Video Communications Provider Becomes Corporate Member

BERKELEY, Calif.–Nov. 27, 2007—SightSpeed Inc., the leading provider of Internet video communications, said today it is proud to join the American Telemedicine Association (ATA), the leading resource and advocate promoting access to medical care for consumers and health professionals via telecommunications technology.

ATA seeks to bring together diverse groups from traditional medicine, academic medical centers, technology and telecommunications companies, e-health, medical societies, government and others to overcome barriers to the advancement of telemedicine through the professional, ethical and equitable improvement in health care delivery.

“SightSpeed is pleased to become a Corporate Member of ATA and we are confident that our SightSpeed service will advance the availability of health care in the United States and around the world,” said SightSpeed CEO Peter Csathy. “We certainly share the goals of ATA to advance the deployment of telemedicine and we believe that SightSpeed can help achieve that goal.”

Membership in ATA—established in 1993 as a non-profit organization and headquartered in Washington, D.C.—is open to individuals, companies and other organizations with an interest in promoting the deployment of telemedicine throughout the world, including:

• Educating government about telemedicine as an essential component in the delivery of modern medical care.
• Serving as a clearinghouse for telemedical information and services.
• Fostering networking and collaboration among interests in medicine and technology.
• Promoting research and education including the sponsorship of scientific educational meetings and the Telemedicine and e-Health Journal.
• Spearheading the development of appropriate clinical and industry policies and standards.

“ATA’s Corporate Members represent the cutting edge in the telemedicine industry,“ said Jonathan D. Linkous, ATA Executive Director. “We are pleased to count SightSpeed among the growing number of companies that are making a strategic investment in the field of telemedicine.”

About SightSpeed, Inc.
SightSpeed Inc. is the award-winning provider of Internet video communications for both the business user and consumer. The company offers two services: (1) “SightSpeed Business”, the world’s first high quality, cost-effective and hardware-free video conferencing service for all businesses (including SMBs); and (2) “SightSpeed 6.0”, the most widely praised consumer-focused video chat service that turns a PC or Mac into an easy-to-use video phone to communicate with friends and family around the world. SightSpeed's services are SIP-based and standards-compliant, and the company’s revolutionary human perception based technology is patented and based on more than ten years of research and development originating out of Cornell University.

Founded in 2001 and based in Berkeley, California, SightSpeed is a privately held company funded by The Roda Group, best known for launching Ask Jeeves and PolyServe. For more information about SightSpeed, visit www.sightspeed.com/.

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