Telepresence Equipment to Be Used In World-Class Telemedicine Program for the Treatment of Traumatic Brain Injuries and Psychological Health Issues
NEW YORK, BETHESDA, Md., and PLEASANTON, Calif. - May 17, 2010 : Polycom, Inc. [NASDAQ: PLCM], the global leader in telepresence, video and voice communication solutions, has made an in-kind telemedicine solution donation to the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE). The equipment, valued at approximately $500,000, will give military medical professionals a powerful new tool for promoting the resilience, recovery and reintegration of warriors suffering from psychological health issues and traumatic brain injuries.
The 72,000-square-foot NICoE facility, which opens this year, will be dedicated to research, assessment and treatment of military service members and veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI) and psychological health issues. Polycom is equipping the NICoE with industry-leading solutions capable of supporting a collaborative, telemedicine network. The solution will enhance NICoE's capabilities to deliver the highest quality of care for patients by supporting a wide variety of telemedicine services including consultation and coordination, comprehensive evaluations, and coordinated research as well as caregiver training and education.
"Thanks to Polycom, the National Intrepid Center of Excellence will bring the very best care and support to the men and women who have made enormous sacrifices for their country," said Arnold Fisher, Honorary Chairman of the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, a not-for-profit organization that has provided more than $150 million in support for the families of military personnel lost in service to the nation, and for severely wounded military personnel and veterans.
Fisher added, "Traumatic brain injuries and psychological health issues represent a significant issue for returning soldiers, so the need for a center like NICoE has never been more vital. With this support from Polycom, medical specialists and researchers from around the world will be able to come together to better understand what is needed to provide the best care to soldiers and their families."
The Center will consist of a Data Immersive Visualization Environment (DIVE), an auditorium, a classroom and three intake and evaluation suites. Polycom's video conferencing infrastructure will be at the heart of the NICoE network. Enabling NICoE to be the hub to a world-class network of researchers and providers seeking and sharing vital information to be used for training and educating clinical providers, first responders, other Warriors, and family members, as well as for bringing together decision makers to recommend policy changes based on insights derived from clinical, educational and research activities.
The NICoE telemedicine network consists of:
* The Polycom® HDX® 9000 Series will be integrated in the DIVE and Auditorium. The DIVE system will be used enable medical professionals to conduct telehealth consultations, while interdisciplinary clinical teams can coordinate and develop the best courses of care for patients. The system in the Auditorium will support focused workshops, training seminars, symposia and other events throughout the year with a variety of audience sizes.
* The Polycom® HDX® Media Center 8000 Series systems will be used in the In-take and Evaluation Suites where incoming patients are interviewed and evaluated by medical professionals.
* Polycom® SoundStation® IP 7000 conference phones will be used in conference calling suites.
* The Polycom® RMX® 2000 multipoint conferencing platform will facilitate up to 160 video and 800 audio participants on a single platform for multiparty conferencing.
* The Polycom Converged Management Application™ (CMA™) 5000/4000/Polycom CMA Desktop will ensure seamless operation of the voice, video and content collaboration network using centralized scheduling, management, device provisioning, reporting and gatekeeper functionality.
* The Polycom Video Border Proxy™ (VBP™) 5300-ST Series will remove communication network barriers and allow teams to collaborate more effectively over video.
* The Polycom Video Recording and Streaming Server (RSS™) 2000 will allow for centralized recording, streaming, and archiving of multimedia conferences.
* The Polycom Video Media Center™ (VMC™) 1000, which will be used to develop on-demand distance learning programs, to extend the reach of live lectures and/or seminars via Webcasts for professionals and other audiences, and to fulfill mandates for education or training.
"Polycom is honored to be a part of the National Intrepid Center of Excellence, a facility that represents hope and an opportunity for healing to soldiers and their families," said Roseanne M. Cohen, Polycom federal market director. "Our entire company has rallied together to lend support to this project. We are proud to give back to the soldiers and their families who have served and sacrificed for the freedoms we enjoy every day. I cannot think of a more deserving community."
The NICoE donation was made possible through a partnership between the Polycom Global Citizenship Program and the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. Polycom's Global Citizenship Program is designed to leverage the strength of Polycom's products, resources, and people to improve access to and the quality of education and healthcare worldwide, as well as provide support to communities in need. In addition, Avaya's government solutions team provided an in-kind contribution of the voice and data infrastructure that serves as the foundation of NICoE's communications architecture. Together, as part of the Polycom Open Collaboration Network, Polycom and Avaya deliver a powerful suite of unified communication capabilities that maximize the capabilities at NICoE's state-of-the art facility.
"The fact is these soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines have given so much to protect our way of life," said Joel Hackney, president, Avaya Government Solutions. "Their contributions are nothing short of making the world a better place. They have paid a very steep price for everything this country stands for and we owe them a debt that cannot be repaid. Together, Avaya and Polycom are contributing to a center of excellence that will help our Veterans have the best quality of life possible. We are very proud to be part of this initiative and look forward to continuing our work with those who protect freedom and democracy."
About the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund
The National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE) concept features a holistic approach led by a skilled interdisciplinary team to harness the latest advances in science, therapy, telemedicine, education, research technology while providing compassionate family-centered care for Warriors and their loved ones throughout the recovery process. Ideally situated on the Navy Bethesda campus, this facility will be adjacent to the new Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, with close access to the Uniformed Services University, the National Institutes of Health, the Veterans Health Administration and the Metro transportation system. The NICoE is part of the centers of the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) which serves as a hub for federal, national and international efforts to identify, prevent, mitigate, treat and rehabilitate those affected by psychological and cognitive injuries.
About Polycom
Polycom, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLCM) is the global leader in telepresence, video, and voice solutions and a visionary in communications that empower people to connect and collaborate everywhere. Visit www.polycom.com for more information and follow us on Twitter @AllAboutPolycom.
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