DEF 14A
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.   )
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Check the appropriate box:
     
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  Preliminary Proxy Statement
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  Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
þ
  Definitive Proxy Statement
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  Definitive Additional Materials
o
  Soliciting Material under Rule 14a-12
HEALTHSTREAM, INC.
 
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
 
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
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(HEALTHSTREAM LOGO)
HEALTHSTREAM, INC.
209 10
TH Avenue South, Suite 450
Nashville, Tennessee 37203
(615) 301-3100
 
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held May 28, 2009
 
Dear Shareholder:
     On Thursday, May 28, 2009, HealthStream, Inc. will hold its 2009 annual meeting of shareholders at 209 10th Avenue South, Suite 450, Nashville, Tennessee 37203. The meeting will begin at 2:00 p.m., Central Daylight Time.
     We welcome shareholders that own our common stock at the close of business on April 2, 2009 to vote at this meeting. At the meeting, we will consider the following proposals:
  1.   to elect two (2) persons nominated by the board of directors as Class III directors to hold office for a term of three (3) years or until their respective successors have been duly elected and qualified;
 
  2.   to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009; and
 
  3.   to transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any postponement or adjournment of the meeting.
     Our 2008 Annual Report to Shareholders is being mailed to shareholders with this proxy statement. The annual report is not part of the proxy solicitation materials. Cameras and recording devices are not permitted at the meeting. “Street name” holders will need to bring a copy of a brokerage statement reflecting stock ownership as of the record date. For more detailed directions on how to be able to attend the meeting and vote in person, please call (615) 301-3100.
     Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, please complete, date, sign, and return as promptly as possible the enclosed proxy in the accompanying reply envelope, or vote by telephone or via the internet. Shareholders who attend the meeting may revoke their proxies and vote in person even if you have previously signed and returned your proxy.
         
  By Order of the Board of Directors,
 
 
  -s- Robert A. Frist    
  Robert A. Frist, Jr.   
  Chief Executive Officer   
 
Nashville, Tennessee
April 29, 2009

 


 

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders To Be Held on May 28, 2009: The Company’ Proxy Statement, Proxy Card and 2008 Annual Report to Shareholders are available to registered shareholders at http://www.envisionreports.com/hstm and are available to beneficial shareholders at http://www.edocumentview.com/hstm.
What is the Purpose of the Annual Meeting?
At HealthStream’s annual meeting, shareholders will act upon the election of two (2) persons nominated by the board of directors as Class III directors, the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009, and any other matters that may properly come before the meeting. In addition, our management will respond to questions from shareholders.
What are the Board of Directors’ Recommendations?
Our Board of Directors recommends that you vote:
    FOR the election of each of the nominees set forth in this proxy statement to serve as directors on our Board of Directors; and
 
    FOR the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP.
If you complete and properly sign the accompanying proxy card and return it but do not specify your vote, the proxy will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors set forth above. Further, if any other matter properly comes before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, the proxy holders will vote as recommended by the Board of Directors, or, if no recommendation is given, in their own discretion.
Who May Attend the Annual Meeting?
Shareholders of record on April 2, 2009 may attend the meeting. “Street name” holders will need to bring a copy of a brokerage statement reflecting their ownership of our common stock as of the record date. Cameras and recording devices are not permitted at the meeting.
Who is Entitled to Vote at the Annual Meeting?
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on Thursday, April 2, 2009 as the record date. Shareholders of record of our common stock at the close of business on April 2, 2009 may vote at this meeting.
As of the record date, there were 21,382,055 shares of our voting common stock outstanding. These shares were held by 2,614 holders of record. Every shareholder is entitled to one vote for each share of common stock the shareholder held of record on the record date.

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Who is Soliciting My Vote?
This proxy solicitation is being made and paid for by HealthStream. In addition, we have retained ComputerShare, Georgeson Shareholder and Corporate Election Services to assist in the solicitation. We will pay these entities an aggregate of approximately $2,500 plus out-of-pocket expenses for their assistance. Our directors, officers and other employees not specially employed for this purpose may also solicit proxies by personal interview, mail, telephone or facsimile. They will not be paid additional remuneration for their efforts. We will also request brokers and other fiduciaries to forward proxy solicitation material to the beneficial owners of shares of the common stock that the brokers and fiduciaries hold of record. We will reimburse them for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.
On What Matters May I Vote?
You may vote on the election of two (2) persons nominated by the board of directors as Class III directors to our board of directors and the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009.
How Do I Vote?
Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting in person, we urge you to submit your voting instructions to the proxy holders as soon as possible by completing, signing, dating, and promptly returning the enclosed proxy card in the enclosed prepaid envelope provided or by voting by telephone or Internet as described below. If you complete and properly sign the accompanying proxy card and return it in the enclosed prepaid envelope, your shares will be voted as you direct. If you return your signed proxy card but do not mark the boxes showing how you wish to vote, your shares will be voted FOR the proposals. You have the right to revoke your proxy at any time before the meeting by:
    notifying our Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, Kevin O’Hara, at 209 10th Avenue South, Suite 450, Nashville, TN 37203;
 
    voting in person; or
 
    duly submitting a proxy bearing a later date.
Can I Vote by Telephone or the Internet?
Yes, if you are a registered shareholder you may vote by telephone or the Internet by following the instructions included with your proxy card. The deadline for shareholders of record to submit voting instructions by telephone or the Internet is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Savings Time on May 27, 2009.
If your shares are held by your broker, often referred to as in “street name,” you may submit voting instructions by telephone or electronically through the Internet as instructed on your proxy card. The deadline for “street name” holders to submit voting instructions by telephone or the Internet is 11:59 p.m., Eastern Daylight Savings Time, on May 27, 2009.

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How Will Voting on Any Other Business be Conducted?
We do not know of any business to be considered at the 2009 annual meeting other than the election of two (2) Class III directors to our board of directors and the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009. If any other business is presented at the annual meeting, your signed proxy card gives authority to Robert A. Frist, Jr., our Chief Executive Officer, and Gerard M. Hayden, Jr., our Chief Financial Officer, or either of them, to vote on such matters at their discretion.
What is a “Quorum”?
A “quorum” is a majority of the outstanding shares. The shares may be present at the meeting or represented by proxy. There must be a quorum for business to be conducted at the meeting. Proxies received but marked as abstentions and broker non-votes will be included in the calculation of the number of shares considered to be present at the meeting.
What Vote is Required to Approve Each Item?
Each of the director nominees must receive affirmative votes from a plurality of the shares voting to be elected.
The ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009 must receive affirmative votes from a majority of the shares voting to be approved.
What if I Abstain from Voting?
If you attend the meeting or send in your signed proxy card but abstain from voting on the proposal, you will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists. So long as a quorum is present, not voting will have no effect on whether either proposal is approved.
How do I Vote My Shares if They are Held in the Name Of My Broker (Street Name)?
If your shares are held by your broker, often referred to as in “street name,” you will receive a form from your broker seeking instruction as to how your shares should be voted. The NASDAQ Global Market (“NASDAQ”) rules provide that brokers and nominees may not exercise their voting discretion on certain non-routine matters without receiving instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares. Therefore, if you do not issue instructions to your broker, your broker is not allowed to exercise his or her voting discretion on certain non-routine matters and will return a proxy card with no vote (the “non-vote”) on the non-routine matter. In cases of a broker non-vote, the vote is treated as a vote against the related matter. For the remainder of issues, including election of directors and ratification of the independent registered public accounting firm, absent receiving instructions from you, your broker will vote your shares at his or her discretion on your behalf.

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What is the Effect of a Broker Non-Vote?
A broker non-vote is treated as a vote against certain non-routine matters. Because directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast by shareholders represented and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, “non-votes” are not considered in the election and because the independent registered public accounting firm is ratified by a majority of the votes cast by shareholders represented and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, “non-votes” are not considered in the ratification.
Who Will Count the Votes?
A representative of our transfer agent, ComputerShare, Canton, Massachusetts, will count the votes and act as inspector of elections.
Where Can I Find the Voting Results?
We will announce the voting results at the Annual Meeting. We also will report the voting results in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the second quarter of fiscal year 2009, which we expect to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, in August 2009.
When are Shareholder Proposals Due in Order to be Included in Our Proxy Statement for the 2010 Annual Meeting?
Any shareholder proposals to be considered for inclusion in next year’s proxy statement must be submitted in writing to Secretary, HealthStream, Inc., 209 10th Avenue South, Suite 450, Nashville, Tennessee 37203, prior to the close of business on December 30, 2009.
When are Other Shareholder Proposals Due?
Our Bylaws contain an advance notice provision that requires that a shareholder’s notice of a proposal to be brought before an annual meeting must be timely. In order to be timely, the notice must be addressed to our Secretary and delivered or mailed and received at our principal executive offices not less than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the date this notice of annual meeting was provided to shareholders.

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How Can I Obtain Additional Information About the Company?
We will provide an electronic version of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, excluding certain of its exhibits, on our website at www.healthstream.com, or we will provide a copy without charge to any shareholder who makes a written request to Investor Relations Department, HealthStream, Inc., 209 10th Avenue South, Suite 450, Nashville, Tennessee 37203 or an oral request by calling (615) 301-3237. The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and various other filings also may be accessed on the Internet at www.healthstream.com or www.sec.gov. A copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, excluding certain of its exhibits, is being mailed with this proxy statement.
Can I Communicate Directly with Members of the Company’s Board of Directors?
Yes, shareholders may communicate with any of the Company’s directors by writing to them c/o HealthStream, Inc., 209 10th Avenue South, Suite 450, Nashville, Tennessee 37203. Shareholders may also communicate with our directors by sending an email to boardofdirectors@healthstream.com. Shareholders may communicate with the chair of any board committee by sending an email to auditchair@healthstream.com (Audit Committee), nomgovchair@healthstream.com (Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee) or compchair@healthstream.com (Compensation Committee), or with our outside directors as a group by sending an email to outsidedirectors@healthstream.com. Our Compliance Officer, Kevin O’Hara, reviews all such correspondence and regularly forwards to the Board a summary of all such correspondence and copies of all correspondence that, in the opinion of the Compliance Officer, deals with the functions of the Board or committees thereof or that he otherwise determines requires their attention. Concerns relating to accounting, financial reporting, internal controls or auditing matters are immediately brought to the attention of the Company’s Audit Committee and handled in accordance with procedures established by the Audit Committee.
Who Should I Contact if I Have Questions?
If you have any questions about the Annual Meeting or these proxy materials, please contact Kevin O’Hara, our Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, or Mollie Condra, our Associate Vice President of Communications, Research and Investor Relations, at 209 10th Avenue South, Suite 450, Nashville, Tennessee 37203, (615) 301-3100. If you are a registered shareholder and have any questions about your ownership of our common stock, please contact our transfer agent, ComputerShare, at 250 Royall Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021 and (800) 568-3476. If your shares are held in a brokerage account, please contact your broker.

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
     You can access our corporate charter, Bylaws, Corporate Governance Principles, current committee charters, Code of Conduct, Code of Ethics for Executive Officers and Directors and other corporate governance-related information on our website, www.healthstream.com (under the “Corporate Governance” section of the Investors page), or by addressing a written request to HealthStream, Inc., Attention: Secretary, 209 10th Avenue South, Suite 450, Nashville, Tennessee 37203.
     We believe that effective corporate governance is important to our long-term health and our ability to create value for our shareholders. With leadership from our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, our Board of Directors regularly evaluates regulatory developments and trends in corporate governance to determine whether our policies and practices in this area should be enhanced. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also administers an annual skills assessment process as well as an annual self and peer evaluation process for the Board. In addition, our directors are encouraged to attend director education programs.
Board of Directors Meetings and Committees
     Our business is managed under the direction of our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors is responsible for establishing our corporate policies and strategic objectives, reviewing our overall performance and overseeing management’s performance. The Board of Directors delegates the conduct of the business to our senior management team. Directors have regular access to senior management. They may also seek independent, outside advice. The Board of Directors considers all major decisions. The Board of Directors holds regular quarterly meetings, an annual strategic planning meeting, and meets on other occasions when required by special circumstances. The Board operates pursuant to our Corporate Governance Principles, a copy of which may be accessed in the “Corporate Governance” section of our website at www.healthstream.com.
     The Board currently consists of nine members, a portion of which are standing for re-election and are identified, along with their biographical information, under “Proposal I — Election of Directors.” During 2008, our Board of Directors held six meetings, the Audit Committee held twelve meetings, the Compensation Committee held three meetings and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held six meetings. As a group, the Board members attended 96 percent of their Board and committee meetings. Our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Robert A. Frist, Jr., as well as Frank Gordon, Jeffrey L. McLaren, Dale Polley, Linda Rebrovick, and Michael Shmerling attended last year’s annual shareholder meeting. Our Board of Directors has adopted a policy strongly encouraging all of our directors to attend the annual meeting of shareholders. No director attended fewer than 75 percent of the 2008 meetings of the board of directors and its committees on which such director served.
     Each of our directors also devotes his or her time and attention to the Board of Directors’ principal standing committees. The Board of Directors has established three standing committees so that certain areas can be addressed in more depth than may be possible at a full board meeting. Ad hoc task forces are also formed to consider acquisitions or other strategic issues. Each standing committee has a written charter that has been approved by the committee and the Board and that is reviewed at least annually. The committees, their primary functions and memberships are as follows:
     Audit Committee. The Audit Committee’s primary duties and responsibilities are oversight of the integrity of HealthStream’s financial reporting process; oversight of our system of internal controls regarding finance, accounting and legal compliance; selecting and evaluating the qualification, independence and performance of our independent registered public accounting firm; monitoring compliance with the Company’s Code of Ethics for Executive Officers and Directors and

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Code of Conduct; monitoring the reporting hotline; and providing an avenue of communication among the independent registered public accounting firm, management and the Board of Directors.
     The Audit Committee operates pursuant to the terms of a Restated Audit Committee Charter, which may be accessed in the “Corporate Governance” section of our website at www.healthstream.com. During 2008, the members of the Audit Committee were, Dale Polley (chair), Michael Shmerling, Jeffrey L. McLaren, and Gerard M. Hayden, Jr. Mr. Polley is the Chairman of the Committee. Mr. Hayden resigned from the Board and his Committee responsibilities effective April 22, 2008, and joined the Company as Chief Financial Officer on May 19, 2008. Mr. Hayden was replaced on the Audit Committee by Michael Shmerling. Each of our Audit Committee members is independent within the meaning of the listing standards of NASDAQ and Rule 10A-3 of the Securities Exchange Act. See “Audit Committee Report for 2008.”
     Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee has the responsibility for reviewing and approving the salaries, bonuses, and other compensation and benefits of our executive officers; evaluating the performance of the Chief Executive Officer; establishing and reviewing board compensation; reviewing and advising management regarding benefits and other terms and conditions of compensation of management; reviewing the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this proxy statement; issuing the Compensation Committee report included in this proxy statement; and administering the Company’s 2000 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2000 Plan”). The Compensation Committee operates pursuant to the terms of a Compensation Committee Charter, a copy of which may be accessed in the “Corporate Governance” section of our website at www.healthstream.com. Members of the Compensation Committee during 2008 included Thompson S. Dent (chair), Frank Gordon, Linda Rebrovick and Michael Shmerling, each of whom is independent within the meaning of the listing standards of NASDAQ. See “Compensation Committee Report for 2008.” Mr. Shmerling served on the Compensation Committee prior to April 22, 2008 and following December 8, 2008, and he served on the Committee as of December 31, 2008. Between April 22, 2008 and December 8, 2008, he was replaced by Linda Rebrovick. Each of the Compensation Committee members that served during 2008 is independent within the meaning of the listing standards of NASDAQ.
     Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee provides assistance to the Board of Directors in identifying and recommending individuals qualified to serve as directors of the Company, reviews the composition of the Board of Directors, reviews and recommends corporate governance policies for the Company and annually evaluates the skills and performance of the Board of Directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee operates pursuant to the terms of a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter, a copy of which may be accessed in the “Corporate Governance” section of our website at www.healthstream.com. Members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee during 2008 included Linda Rebrovick (chair), James F. Daniell and William W. Stead, each of whom is independent within the meaning of the listing standards of NASDAQ.
     Our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer proposes the agenda for the board meetings and presents the agenda to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, which reviews the agenda with our Chairman and may raise other matters to be included in the agenda or at the meetings. All directors receive the agenda and supporting information in advance of the meetings. Directors may raise other matters to be included in the agenda or at the meetings. Our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and other members of senior management make presentations to the board at the meetings and a substantial portion of the meeting time is devoted to the Board of Directors’ discussion of and questions regarding these presentations.

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Executive Sessions
     The independent directors meet in executive session (i.e. with no members of management present) periodically, in at least two regularly scheduled meetings each year. The Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has been designated by the independent directors to preside at these meetings.
Independent Directors
     The Board of Directors has determined that James F. Daniell, Thompson S. Dent, Frank Gordon, Jeffrey L. McLaren, Dale Polley, Linda Rebrovick, Michael Shmerling, and William W. Stead do not have any relationship that, in the opinion of the Board, would interfere with the exercise of the Board member’s independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director and none of such directors has any relationship with the Company which would cause him or her to fail to meet the definition of “independent” under the listing standards of NASDAQ. All members of the standing committees of the Board of Directors are considered independent consistent with these rules. Gerard M. Hayden, Jr. was also considered independent prior to his resignation from the Board on April 22, 2008.
Independence, Financial Literacy and Designation of Financial Experts
     The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has determined that all members of the Audit Committee are financially literate under the current listing standards of NASDAQ. The Board also determined that Dale Polley and Michael Shmerling each qualify as an “Audit Committee Financial Expert” as defined by the regulations of the SEC adopted pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and that Mr. Polley and Mr. Shmerling are “independent” within the meaning of the listing standards of NASDAQ and Rule 10A-3 of the Securities Exchange Act.
Skills Assessment and Board Evaluation Process
     The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for assessing the Board’s skills, evaluating director performance and providing feedback to directors for performance improvement. Further, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee annually assesses the skills required of the board to support appropriate governance and corporate oversight. In connection with these responsibilities, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee annually conducts a board skills assessment as well as self and peer evaluations for the full board. The board evaluation process includes self and peer reviews, suggestions for individual improvement, and year to year comparison and trend analysis for both individual board members and the board on a composite basis. The Board annually reviews the results to improve effectiveness of the board as a whole. The skills assessment and board evaluation processes are used to determine skill requirements for new board member nominations, assessing committee assignments, reviewing the qualifications of incumbent directors to determine whether to recommend them to the Board of Directors as nominees for re-election and to support improvement of the effectiveness of the Board.
Nominating Committee Process
     The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for identifying qualified individuals to serve as members of the company’s Board of Directors as well as reviewing the qualifications and performance of incumbent directors to determine whether to recommend them to the Board of Directors as nominees for re-election. In identifying candidates for membership on the Board of Directors, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall take into account all factors it considers appropriate, which may include (a) ensuring that the Board of Directors, as a whole, is diverse and consists of individuals with various and relevant career experience, relevant technical skills, industry knowledge and experience, financial expertise

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(including expertise that could qualify a director as an “audit committee financial expert,” as that term is defined by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission), and local or community ties and (b) minimum individual qualifications, including strength of character, mature judgment, time availability, familiarity with the Company’s business and industry, independence of thought and an ability to work collegially. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also may consider the extent to which the candidate would fill a present need on the Board of Directors. With respect to new candidates for Board service, a full evaluation generally also includes a detailed background check.
     The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider nominees for the Board of Directors recommended by shareholders. Shareholders may propose nominees for consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee by submitting the names and supporting information to: Secretary, HealthStream, Inc., 209 10th Avenue South, Suite 450, Nashville, Tennessee 37203. Shareholder recommendations for nominees must include certain biographical and other information, which may be found in the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws, and the proposed nominee’s written consent to nomination. The recommendations must be delivered or mailed and received at our principal executive offices not less than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the date this notice of annual meeting was provided to shareholders (December 30, 2009).
Limitations on Other Board Service
     Our Code of Conduct and Governance Principles provide that a member of the board may not serve on more than two other public company boards without Board approval. Otherwise, we do not believe that our directors should be categorically prohibited from serving on boards and/or board committees of other organizations. Service on boards and/or committees of other organizations must also be consistent with our conflict of interest policy, as set forth in our Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics for Executive Officers and Directors, which, among other things, require a director to provide notice to the Board of his or her acceptance of a nomination to serve on the board of another public company.
Communication with the Board of Directors
     Shareholders may communicate with any of the Company’s directors by writing to them c/o HealthStream, Inc., 209 10th Avenue South, Suite 450, Nashville, Tennessee 37203. Shareholders may also communicate with our directors by sending an email to boardofdirectors@healthstream.com. Shareholders may communicate with the chair of any board committee by sending an email to auditchair@healthstream.com (Audit Committee), nomgovchair@healthstream.com (Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee) or compchair@healthstream.com (Compensation Committee), or with our outside directors as a group by sending an email to outsidedirectors@healthstream.com. Our Compliance Officer, Kevin O’Hara, reviews all such correspondence and regularly forwards to the Board a summary of all such correspondence and copies of all correspondence that, in the opinion of the Compliance Officer, deals with the functions of the Board or committees thereof or that he otherwise determines requires their attention. Concerns relating to accounting, financial reporting, internal controls or auditing matters are immediately brought to the attention of the Company’s Audit Committee and handled in accordance with procedures established by the Audit Committee.

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Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
     Since the beginning of the last fiscal year, we are aware of no related party transactions between us and any of our directors, executive officers, 5 percent shareholders or their family members which may require disclosure under Item 404 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
     Pursuant to its written charter, the Audit Committee reviews and approves all related party transactions involving our directors, executive officers, immediate family members, or other entities by which any of the foregoing persons are employed (“Related Party”). In connection with this review and approval, the Committee reviews the relevant information and facts available to it regarding any transactions being considered or reviewed and takes into account factors such as the Related Party’s relationship to the Company and interest (direct or indirect) in the transaction, the terms of the transaction and the benefits and risks to the Company of the transaction.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
     The members of the Compensation Committee are responsible for determining executive compensation and stock option grants to executive officers. Members of the Compensation Committee during 2008 included Thompson S. Dent, Frank Gordon, Linda Rebrovick and Michael Shmerling, each of whom is independent within the meaning of the listing standards of NASDAQ. Mr. Shmerling served on the Compensation Committee prior to April 22, 2008 and following December 8, 2008, and he served on the Committee as of December 31, 2008. Between April 22, 2008 and December 8, 2008, he was replaced by Linda Rebrovick. None of these persons has at any time been an officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. In addition, there are no relationships among the Company’s executive officers, members of the Compensation Committee or entities whose executive serves on the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee that require disclosure under applicable SEC regulations.
Code of Conduct
     The Company has established a Code of Conduct that applies to all directors and employees of HealthStream, Inc. The purpose of the Code of Conduct is, among other things, to provide written standards for our directors and employees that are reasonably designed to support high standards of business and personal ethics in the discharge of their duties. A copy of the Code of Conduct may be accessed in the “Corporate Governance” section of our website at www.healthstream.com.
Code of Ethics for Executive Officers and Directors
     The Company has established a Code of Ethics that applies to all executive officers and directors of HealthStream, Inc., including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, and principal accounting officer. The purpose of the Code of Ethics is, among other things, to provide written standards that are reasonably designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote: honest and ethical conduct, including ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest; full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in reports and documents filed with the SEC and other public communications by the Company; compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations; prompt internal reporting of violations of the code; and accountability for adherence to the code. A copy of the Code of Ethics, as well as any amendments to or waivers from the Code of Ethics, may be accessed in the “Corporate Governance” section of our website at www.healthstream.com.

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Mandatory Holding Periods
     Stock option grants to members of the Board in 2008 were automatically vested and subject to a mandatory one year holding period after option exercise. Stock option grants to members of the Board in 2009 will vest annually, in two equal increments as of the first and second anniversaries of the grant date, and will not be subject to a mandatory holding period after exercise.
Succession Planning
     Annually, during an executive session of our directors, our Board reviews the Company’s succession plan. In preparation for this session, the chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews the Company’s succession plan with our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
Board Member Orientation
     Upon nomination by the Board of a new board member, management and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee conduct an orientation session with the new board member. During this session, the board member is provided with an overview of the Company’s operations, its organizational structure, its products and services, management’s risk assessment, corporate governance documents and guidelines, compliance and reporting requirements, as well as our annual board calendar. Orientation is further customized to address anticipated committee assignments or specific requests of our board members.
Strategic Planning
     The Board of Directors and executive team meet annually to review the Company’s strategic plan. During this session, discussions include a high level review of the Company’s mission and vision as well as the Company’s strategic plan for the next three to five years.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT FOR 2008
     The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is comprised of three directors who are independent directors as defined under NASDAQ Rule 5605(a)(2). The members of the Audit Committee are considered independent because they satisfy the independence requirements for Board members prescribed by the NASDAQ listing standards and Rule 10A-3 of the Securities Exchange Act. During 2008, the members of the Audit Committee were Dale Polley, Michael Shmerling, Jeffrey L. McLaren, and Gerard M. Hayden, Jr. Mr. Polley is the Chairman of the Committee. Mr. Hayden resigned from the Board and his Committee responsibilities effective April 22, 2008, and joined the Company as Chief Financial Officer on May 19, 2008. Mr. Hayden was replaced on the Audit Committee by Michael Shmerling.
     In accordance with its written charter, the Audit Committee is charged with oversight of the integrity of HealthStream’s financial reporting process; our system of internal controls regarding finance, accounting and legal compliance; and the qualification, independence and performance of our independent registered public accounting firm. Management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and the reporting process including the systems of internal controls. Among other things, the Committee monitors preparation by our management of quarterly and annual financial reports and interim earnings releases; reviews Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations prior to the filing of our periodic reports with the SEC; supervises our relationship with our independent registered public accounting firm, including making decisions with respect to appointment or removal, reviewing the scope of audit services, approving audit and non-audit services and annually evaluating the independent registered public

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accounting firm’s independence; and oversees management’s implementation and maintenance of effective systems of internal accounting and disclosure controls, including review of our policies relating to legal and regulatory compliance. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Audit Committee reviewed the audited financial statements in the Annual Report with management including a discussion of the quality, not just the acceptability, of the accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments, and the clarity of disclosures in the financial statements.
     The Audit Committee reviewed with the independent registered public accounting firm, who is responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of our audited financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles, their judgments as to the quality, not just the acceptability, of the Company’s accounting principles and such other matters as are required to be discussed with the committee by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 90 (Communications with Audit Committees). In addition, the Audit Committee has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm their independence from management and the Company, including matters in the written disclosures required by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s applicable requirements, and considered the compatibility of non-audit services with the independent registered public accounting firm’s independence.
     The Audit Committee discussed with the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm the overall scope and plans for their audit. The Audit Committee meets with the independent registered public accounting firm, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their examinations, their understanding of the Company’s internal controls, and the overall quality of the Company’s financial reporting.
     In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors (and the Board approved) that the audited financial statements be included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
     The Audit Committee is governed by a restated charter. The Audit Committee held twelve meetings during fiscal year 2008.
Dale Polley, Audit Committee Chairman
Jeffrey L. McLaren, Audit Committee Member
Michael Shmerling, Audit Committee Member (beginning April 22, 2008)
Gerard M. Hayden, Jr. Audit Committee Member (through April 22, 2008)
The foregoing report of the Audit Committee shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference the Proxy Statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such acts.

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ITEM ONE — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
          The Board of Directors is divided into three classes (Class I, Class II and Class III). At each annual meeting of shareholders, directors constituting one class are elected for a three-year term. Directors who were elected by the Board of Directors to fill a vacancy in a class whose term expires in a later year are elected for a term equal to the remaining term for their respective class. The Fourth Amended and Restated Charter of the Company provides that each class shall consist, as nearly as may be possible, of one-third of the total number of directors constituting the entire Board of Directors. The current Board of Directors is comprised of nine members. Two members of the Board of Directors will be elected as Class III directors at the Annual Meeting.
          The Board of Directors has nominated and recommends to the shareholders, Robert A. Frist, Jr. and Frank Gordon for election as Class III directors to serve until the annual meeting of shareholders in 2012 and until such time as their respective successors are duly elected and qualified. Mr. Frist and Mr. Gordon are currently Class III directors of the Company having been previously elected by the shareholders.
          If any of the nominees should become unable to accept election, the persons named in the proxy may vote for such other person or persons as may be designated by the Board of Directors. Management has no reason to believe that any of the nominees named above will be unable to serve. Certain information with respect to directors who are nominees for election at the Annual Meeting and with respect to continuing directors who are not nominees for election at the Annual Meeting is set forth on the following pages.
          The directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast in the election by the holders of the common stock represented and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
                     
                Director
Name   Age   Principal Occupation/Directorships   Since
Director Nominees:
                   
 
Class III Directors
                   
(Terms Expire 2012)
                   
Robert A. Frist, Jr.
    42     Robert A. Frist, Jr., one of our co-founders, has served as our chief executive officer and chairman of the board of directors since 1990. Mr. Frist graduated with a Bachelor of Science in business with concentrations in finance, economics and marketing from Trinity University.     1990  
 
                   
Frank Gordon
    46     Mr. Gordon has served as managing partner of Crofton Capital LLP, a private equity fund since January 2004. From 1998 through 2004, Mr. Gordon served as vice president of development and managed care of MediSphere Health Partners, Inc., a health care services company. Mr. Gordon serves on the board of directors of Sy.Med Development, Inc. a healthcare provider credentialing application and data management company. Mr. Gordon earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Texas in Austin and a Masters in Business Administration from Georgia State University.     2002  

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                Director
Name   Age   Principal Occupation/Directorships   Since
Continuing Directors:
                   
 
                   
Class I Directors
                   
(Terms Expire 2010)
                   
James F. Daniell, M.D.
    65     Dr. Daniell has maintained a private medical practice at Centennial Medical Center in Nashville since 1984. A founding member of the Society for Reproductive Surgeons, he served as past president of the International Society of Gynecologic Endoscopy and the Nashville OB/GYN Society. Dr. Daniell is also a director of Safer Sleep LLC, a health care and technology company. Dr. Daniell holds a Bachelor of Science from David Lipscomb University and an M.D. from the University of Tennessee.     1995  
 
                   
Thompson S. Dent
    59     Mr. Dent served as president and chief executive officer of MedTel International Corporation, an international diagnostic imaging company based in Nashville, TN, from June 2004 to January 2009. Mr. Dent is a co-founder of PhyCor, Inc., a physician practice and IPA management company. Mr. Dent served as chairman of the board and chief executive officer of PhyCor from June 2000 to February 2002 at which time he transitioned out of the company and continued as its chairman until August 2002. Mr. Dent holds a Masters in Healthcare Administration from The George Washington University and a Bachelors degree in Business from Mississippi State University.     1995  
 
                   
Dale Polley
    59     Mr. Polley retired as a vice chairman and member of the board of directors of First American Corporation and First American National Bank in 2000. In the nine years preceding these positions, Mr. Polley served in various executive management positions at First American, which included serving as its president from 1997 to 1999. Mr. Polley serves on the board of directors of O’Charley’s Inc., a restaurant company, and Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc., a financial services firm, both public companies headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, as well as several non-profit organizations. Mr. Polley served as a director for the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Nashville branch, from 1995 to 2001. Mr. Polley earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from Memphis State University.     2006  

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                Director
Name   Age   Principal Occupation/Directorships   Since
William W. Stead, M.D.
    60     Dr. Stead has served as associate vice chancellor for health affairs and chief information officer of Vanderbilt University Medical Center since 1991. He is a founding fellow of the American College of Medical Informatics and the American Institute for Engineering in Biology and Medicine and a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences and Computer Science and Telecommunication Board of the National Research Council. He served as a presidential appointee to the Systemic Interoperability Commission. He is past Chairman, Board of Regents, National Library of Medicine, and Past President of the American College of Medical Informatics. Dr. Stead earned a Bachelor of Arts in chemistry and an M.D. from Duke University.     1998  
 
                   
Class II Directors
                   
(Terms Expire 2011)
                   
Jeffrey L. McLaren
    42     Jeffrey L. McLaren has served as chief executive officer of Southern Genesis Inc., a management consulting company, since October 2002. During 2005 and 2006 he served as chief executive officer of Safer Sleep LLC, a health care and technology company. Mr. McLaren, one of our co-founders, served as our president from 1990 through November 2000 and as our chief product officer from 1999 through November 2000. Mr. McLaren graduated from Trinity University with a Bachelor of Arts in both business and philosophy.     1990  
 
                   
Linda Rebrovick
    53     Ms. Rebrovick is chief executive officer of Consensus Point, a prediction market software and services company. She previously served as a principal and officer at NMG Advisers, Inc., a management consulting company from August 2007 to December 2008. From May 2005 to August 2007, she served as vice president of healthcare sales for Dell Inc., a global systems and services company. From January 2001 to May 2005, Ms. Rebrovick was executive vice president and chief marketing officer of BearingPoint, Inc., formerly KPMG Consulting, Inc. Ms. Rebrovick received a Bachelor of Science in marketing from Auburn University.     2001  
 
                   
Michael Shmerling
    53     Mr. Shmerling is Chairman of the Choice Food Group, a manufacturer and distributor of food products throughout the United States. Mr. Shmerling has also served as a senior advisor to Kroll’s Background Screening Group, a Marsh & McLennan Company since August 2005. From August 2004 through August 2005, Mr. Shmerling served as Chairman of Kroll’s Background Screening Group. From May 2001 until July 2004, Mr. Shmerling served as Executive Vice President of Kroll, Inc., a risk consulting company, as well as serving on Kroll’s Board of Directors. Mr. Shmerling serves on the board of directors of Renasant Bank, a financial institution, as well as several non-profit organizations. Mr. Shmerling received a Bachelor of Accountancy from the University of Oklahoma.     2005  
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” EACH OF THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES.

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ITEM TWO — RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
          The Audit Committee has appointed Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009. Services provided to the Company and its subsidiaries by Ernst & Young LLP in fiscal 2008 and 2007 are described below under “Audit and Non-Audit Fees.”
          Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting. They will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so, and we expect that they will be available to respond to questions.
          Ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP requires the affirmative vote from a majority of the votes cast by the holders of the shares of common stock voting in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting. If the Company’s shareholders do not ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP, the Audit Committee will reconsider the appointment and may affirm the appointment or retain another independent accounting firm. Even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee may in the future replace Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm if it is determined that it is in the Company’s best interest to do so.
          THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP AS THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM OF THE COMPANY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2009.
Audit and Non-Audit Fees
          Audit Fees. Fees for audit services totaled $241,948 and $232,786 in 2008 and 2007, respectively, including fees associated with the audit of our annual financial statements and the reviews of our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.
          Audit-Related Fees. Fees for audit-related services during 2008 and 2007 totaled $34,000 and $76,838, respectively. Audit-related services principally include acquisition audit services associated with the acquisition in March 2007 of The Jackson Organization, Research Consultants, Inc., and the annual audits of the Company’s employee benefit plans.
          Tax Fees. Fees for tax services totaled $74,000 and $38,937 during 2008 and 2007, respectively. The tax fees relate to federal and state tax compliance matters, including the utilization of our net operating losses as well as tax advice and planning.
          All Other Fees. There were no other fees paid during 2008 or 2007 that were not included in the captions above.
Pre-Approval of Audit and Non-Audit Fees
          The Audit Committee pre-approves all audit and non-audit services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm. In 2008 and 2007, the Audit Committee approved all audit and non-audit fees disclosed above. The Audit Committee’s pre-approval policy provides for pre-approval by the Audit Committee of specifically defined audit and non-audit services. Unless the specific service has been previously approved with respect to that year, the Audit Committee must approve the permitted service before the independent registered public accounting firm is engaged to perform it. The Audit Committee has delegated to the Chairman of the Audit Committee the authority to approve permitted services provided that the Chairman reports any decisions to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting.

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EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
          Overview of Compensation Process. The Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Committee”) is comprised solely of non-employee, outside, independent directors. Members of the Compensation Committee during 2008 included Thompson S. Dent, Frank Gordon, Linda Rebrovick and Michael Shmerling, each of whom is independent within the meaning of the listing standards of NASDAQ. Mr. Shmerling served on the Compensation Committee prior to April 22, 2008 and following December 8, 2008, and he served on the Committee as of December 31, 2008. Between April 22, 2008 and December 8, 2008, he was replaced by Linda Rebrovick. Mr. Dent serves as the Committee’s chair.
          The Committee is responsible for setting the compensation of the Company’s executive officers, overseeing the Board’s evaluation of the performance of our chief executive officer and administering the Company’s equity-based and incentive plans, among other things. The Committee undertakes these responsibilities pursuant to a written charter adopted by the Committee which is reviewed at least annually by the Committee. The Compensation Committee Charter may be accessed on our website in the “Corporate Governance” section of our Investor tab at www.healthstream.com.
          The Committee annually reviews executive compensation and the Company’s compensation policies to ensure that the Chief Executive Officer and the other executive officers are rewarded appropriately for their contributions to the Company and that the overall compensation strategy supports the objectives and values of our organization, as well as shareholder interests.
          The Committee also solicits the views and recommendations of our Chief Executive Officer when setting the base salaries of each member of the executive team, given his insight into internal pay equity and positioning issues, as well as executive performance. At a Committee meeting typically held during the first quarter of each year, the Chief Executive Officer summarizes his assessment of the performance during the previous year of each member of the executive team, including his recommendations on any compensation adjustments for members of the executive team. Following the Chief Executive Officer’s presentation and Committee discussion, the Committee discusses and approves any compensation adjustments for each member of the executive team, based on competitive considerations, the Chief Executive Officer’s assessment of individual performance, the Company’s performance and the executive’s current salary.
          The process is similar for determining the compensation adjustments for the Chief Executive Officer, except that the Chief Executive Officer does not provide the Committee with a recommendation. The Chief Executive Officer presents a self-assessment of his performance during the year to the Committee, which then meets to discuss and approve any compensation adjustment, based on its assessment of the Chief Executive Officer’s performance, the Company’s performance and the Chief Executive Officer’s current salary. Historically, Mr. Frist has elected to receive annual cash compensation at levels below the average base compensation levels of chief executive officers at comparable companies and below those recommended by the Committee.
          Compensation Philosophy. The fundamental objective of our executive compensation policies is to attract and maintain executive leadership that will execute the Company’s business strategy, uphold the Company’s mission, vision and values and deliver results and long-term value to the Company’s shareholders. Accordingly, the Committee seeks to develop and maintain a compensation structure that will attract, retain and motivate highly qualified and high-performing executives through compensation that is fair, balanced, aligned with shareholder interests, and linked to overall financial performance.

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          It is the Committee’s goal to have a portion of each executive’s compensation contingent upon the Company’s financial performance, provided a reasonable return is achieved consistent with growth in earnings or similar financial metrics, as well as providing equity-based compensation that encourages sustained long-term performance. The Committee’s compensation philosophy for the executive team emphasizes an overall analysis of the executive’s performance for the year, projected role and responsibilities, required impact on execution of the Company’s strategy, external pay practices, total cash and equity compensation and other factors the Committee deems appropriate. Our philosophy also considers employee retention, vulnerability to recruitment by other companies and the difficulty and costs associated with replacing executive talent. Based on these objectives, the Committee has determined that our Company should provide its executives compensation packages comprised of three primary elements: (i) base salary, which reflects individual performance and is designed primarily to be competitive within the Company’s market; (ii) annual cash bonuses based on the financial performance of the Company, in accordance with the goals established by the Committee; and (iii) long-term stock-based incentive awards which strengthen the mutuality of interest between executive officers and our shareholders.
          The specific analysis regarding the components of total executive compensation for 2008 are described below. The primary components of the 2008 program were cash compensation, consisting of a base salary, and equity incentives, consisting of stock options.
          Base Salary. We seek to provide base salaries for our executive officers that provide a secure level of guaranteed cash compensation in accordance with their experience, professional status and job responsibilities. Each year the Committee reviews and approves a revised annual salary plan for executive officers, taking into account several factors, including prior year salary, responsibilities, tenure, performance, salaries paid by similar companies for comparable positions, and the Company’s recent financial performance. Taking these factors into account, the Committee approved base salaries for Named Executive Officers in the following amounts:
                         
    2008 Base   2007 Base   Percentage
Name and Title   Salary(1)   Salary(1)   Increase
Robert A Frist, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer
  $ 205,000     $ 195,000       5.1 %
Arthur E. Newman, Executive Vice President (2)
    205,000       195,000       5.1 %
J. Edward Pearson, Senior Vice President
    210,000       200,000       5.0 %
Jeffrey S. Doster, Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer (3)
    200,000     Not Applicable   Not Applicable
Gerard M. Hayden, Jr. Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer (4)
    200,000     Not Applicable   Not Applicable
Kevin O’Hara, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
    185,000       165,000       12.1 %
 
(1)   Effective February 1 of each year.
 
(2)   Mr. Newman stopped serving as Chief Financial Officer on May 19, 2008.
 
(3)   Mr. Doster joined the Company on May 12, 2008.
 
(4)   Mr. Hayden resigned as a Director of the Company on April 22, 2008 and became Chief Financial Officer on May 19, 2008.

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          Cash Bonuses. In addition to base salary, our cash bonus plan compensation provides our executive officers with the potential for enhanced cash compensation based on the financial performance of the Company. This is known as our Incremental Net Income Incentive Plan. For the 2008 Incremental Net Income Incentive Plan, the Committee established performance objectives that would reward senior management for significant growth in net income. The Committee chose net income as a measure because it believed that there is a strong relationship between growth in net income and growth in shareholder value. The plan was structured to provide bonus payouts (as a percentage of base salary) for achieving certain net income goals for 2008. The bonus plan was structured to payout 4.1 percent for achieving the minimum threshold level of net income of $4.0 million with incremental payouts for net income in excess of the minimum threshold, and a maximum payout of 35 percent for achieving the maximum level of net income of $5.3 million. Since the Company did not achieve its minimum threshold net income level for 2008, no cash bonuses under the Incremental Net Income Incentive Plan were awarded to our Named Executive Officers.
          Long-Term Stock-Based Incentive Compensation. As described above, one of our key compensation philosophies is that long-term stock-based incentive compensation should strengthen and align the interests of our executive officers with our shareholders. The Committee believes that the strategy of time-based vesting is in the best interest of shareholders.
          Equity incentive awards are generally granted to our executive officers on an annual basis. Award levels in 2008 were consistent with the objectives and approaches discussed above, and consistent with the Company’s retention, performance, and shareholder alignment objectives. The Committee typically approves these awards at its first quarter Committee meeting. Awards are granted on the date of the Committee meeting. The Committee may also approve additional equity incentive awards in certain special circumstances, such as promotion of an executive officer to a new position, new executive team members, or in recognition of special contributions or achievements by an executive officer. During 2008, the following stock options for the purchase of the Company’s common stock were granted to our Named Executive Officers pursuant to the 2000 Plan:
                         
    Shares Subject to Time-Based   Exercise   Aggregate Grant Date
Name and Title   Vesting Option Grant   Price(1)   Fair Value
Robert A Frist, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer
        $     $  
Arthur E. Newman, Executive Vice President (2)
    32,000       2.80       50,560  
J. Edward Pearson, Senior Vice President
    32,000       2.80       50,560  
Jeffrey S. Doster, Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer (3)
    75,000       3.13       132,750  
Gerard M. Hayden, Jr. Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer (4)
    75,000       3.15       134,250  
Kevin O’Hara, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
    32,000       2.80       50,560  
 
(1)   The exercise price per share is equal to the fair market value of the common stock on the date of the grant.
 
(2)   Mr. Newman stopped serving as Chief Financial Officer on May 19, 2008.
 
(3)   Mr. Doster joined the Company as Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer on May 12, 2008.
 
(4)   Mr. Hayden resigned as a Director of the Company on April 22, 2008 and became Chief Financial Officer on May 19, 2008.
          The stock options are subject to the terms of the 2000 Plan and the individual grant award agreements. The options vest annually, in four increments as of the first, second, third and fourth anniversaries of the grant date, subject to acceleration as contemplated in the 2000 Plan. Each of the options has an exercise price equal to the fair market value of our common stock at the time of the

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grant, as determined by the closing price of our common stock on NASDAQ on the date of the grant. The aggregate grant date fair value of each option award is computed in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R, or FAS 123R.
          Chief Executive Officer Compensation. In establishing the compensation of Robert A. Frist, Jr., the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee utilized the same compensation policies applicable to executive officers in general; however, Mr. Frist has elected to receive annual cash compensation at levels below the average base compensation levels of chief executive officers at comparable companies. Effective in 2008, Mr. Frist’s annual base salary was increased from $195,000 to $205,000. We reimburse our Chief Executive Officer for life insurance coverage in an amount not to exceed $10,000 annually.
          Perquisites and Other Benefits. During 2008, the Company paid commuting expenses (of $30,190) to Nashville, Tennessee, to Arthur E. Newman, including tax gross up payments to Mr. Newman to cover income tax associated with such payments. Our executive officers are also eligible for benefits generally available to and on the same terms as the Company’s employees including health insurance, disability insurance, dental insurance, and life insurance. While the Company maintains a 401(k) Plan, the Company has not provided any matching contributions under such plan.
          Employment Agreement, Severance and Change In Control Agreements. We maintain an employment agreement with Robert A. Frist, Jr., our chief executive officer, the term of which is automatically extended for successive one year periods unless on or before a date that is 90 days prior to the expiration of the employment term either the Company or Mr. Frist shall have given written notice to the other of its or his intention not to further extend the employment term, in which case the employment agreement shall expire and terminate at the end of the extended employment term. Mr. Frist is also entitled to participate in any bonus program or stock option plan that is generally available to our officers or senior management. In addition, Mr. Frist is eligible for reimbursement of life insurance coverage in an amount not to exceed $10,000 annually. Under his employment agreement, Mr. Frist has agreed not to compete with the Company and not to solicit our customers or employees for one year after his employment is terminated, with limited exceptions. Mr. Frist is entitled to severance benefits if we terminate him without cause. He is also entitled to severance benefits if he resigns for good reason after a change in control, if he resigns upon the occurrence of a material change in the terms of his employment or if he resigns upon the occurrence of a material breach of the employment agreement by the Company. If any such termination occurs, Mr. Frist will be entitled to a severance benefit equal to 1.5 times the most recent recommended salary by our Compensation Committee for him. In addition, if Mr. Frist terminates his employment for good reason after the occurrence of a change in control, all options, shares and other benefits will fully vest immediately.
          Under the 2000 Plan, any outstanding stock options become fully exercisable and immediately vested upon a change of control, as defined in the 2000 Plan.
          Compensation Decisions for 2009. In December 2008, the Committee reviewed the performance and compensation of the executive team, and discussed the grant of equity-based rewards to executive officers. In addition, the Committee provided management with its philosophy with regard to the 2009 Incremental Net Income Incentive Plan, reflecting tiered bonuses as a percentage of base salary ranging from a minimum payout of 2.6 percent for exceeding the Company’s budgeted net income for 2009, with incremental payouts for net income performance above the minimum level, and a maximum payout of 35 percent for net income performance significantly higher than the minimum payout level. The Committee approved the grant of stock options to management during the February 2009 meeting.

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          The table below summarizes the 2009 base salary levels and 2009 equity incentive grants for the Named Executive Officers.
                         
            Shares Subject to Time-    
    2009 Base   Based Vesting   Exercise
Name and Title   Salary (1)   Option Grant (2)   Price
Robert A Frist, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer
  $ 210,000           $  
Arthur E. Newman, Executive Vice President
    210,000       20,000       2.01  
J. Edward Pearson, Senior Vice President
    215,000       20,000       2.01  
Jeffrey S. Doster, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer
    205,000       15,000       2.01  
Gerard M. Hayden, Jr., Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
    205,000       15,000       2.01  
Kevin O’Hara, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
    200,000       20,000       2.01  
 
(1)   Effective May 1, 2009
 
(2)   The exercise price per share is equal to the fair market value of the common stock on the date of the grant.
          Tax Deductibility of Compensation. Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) generally disallows a corporate deduction for compensation over $1.0 million paid to the Company’s CEO and any of the other four most highly compensated executive officers. The $1.0 million limitation applies to all types of compensation, including amounts realized upon the exercise of stock options, unless the awards and plan under which the awards are made qualify as “performance based” under the terms of the Code and related regulations. Based on applicable tax regulations, any taxable compensation derived from the Company’s cash bonus plan and from the exercise of stock options granted pursuant to the 2000 Plan should qualify as “performance based” compensation for purposes of Section 162(m). None of the Company’s executive officers received compensation that exceeded the applicable deductibility limits in 2008.
Compensation Committee Report
          The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis set forth above with our management. Taking this review and discussion into account, the undersigned Committee members recommended to the Board of Directors that the Board approve the inclusion of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis in our Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for filing with the SEC.
Submitted by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors:
Thompson S. Dent, Compensation Committee Chairman
Frank Gordon, Compensation Committee Member
Michael Shmerling, Compensation Committee Member
The foregoing report of the Compensation Committee shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference the Proxy Statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such acts.

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Summary Compensation Table
          The following table sets forth information for fiscal year 2008, regarding the compensation earned by the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and the other most highly compensated executive officers based on salary and bonus earned during 2008 (“Named Executive Officers”).
                                                 
                            Option   All Other    
Name and Principal Position   Year   Salary   Bonus(1)   Awards(2)   Compensation(3)   Total
Robert A. Frist, Jr.
    2008     $ 205,000     $     $ 24,855     $ 10,000     $ 239,855  
Chief Executive Officer, President
    2007       194,167       15,725       40,474       10,000       260,366  
 
    2006       182,083       12,750       40,474       10,000       245,307  
 
                                               
Arthur E. Newman (4)
    2008       204,170             49,321       30,190       283,681  
Executive Vice President
    2007       194,167       15,725       53,153       26,685       289,729  
 
    2006       184,167       14,875       44,859       22,686       266,587  
 
                                               
J. Edward Pearson
    2008       209,167             80,036             289,203  
Senior Vice President
    2007       200,000       9,208       69,477             278,685  
 
    2006       108,333       10,000       31,510             149,843  
 
                                               
Jeffrey S. Doster (5)
    2008       128,077             16,594             144,671  
Senior Vice President and Chief
                                               
Technology Officer
    2007                                
 
                                               
Gerard M. Hayden, Jr. (6)
    2008       124,359             16,781       7,000       148,140  
Senior Vice President and Chief
                                               
Financial Officer
    2007                                
 
                                               
Kevin P. O’Hara
Senior Vice President,
    2008       183,332             40,570             223,902  
General Counsel and Secretary
    2007       162,917       11,900       35,767             210,584  
 
    2006       138,334       10,200       25,836             174,370  
 
(1)   Bonuses listed for each fiscal year relate to payments within a fiscal year of bonus amounts related to the previous fiscal year.
 
(2)   Represents the proportionate amount of the total value of all option awards to named executive officers recognized as an expense during 2008 for financial accounting purposes under SFAS 123R. For significant assumptions with regard to such valuation under SFAS 123R, see Note 10 – Stock Based Compensation in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 27, 2009.
 
(3)   Includes other compensation for the reimbursement of life insurance premiums for Mr. Frist and reimbursement of expenses associated with commuting to Nashville, Tennessee as well as related gross up tax payments for Mr. Newman.
 
(4)   Mr. Newman stopped serving as Chief Financial Officer on May 19, 2008.
 
(5)   Mr. Doster joined the Company on May 12, 2008.
 
(6)   Mr. Hayden resigned as a Director of the Company on April 22, 2008 and became Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer on May 19, 2008. All other compensation in the table above represents compensation for his service as a Director of the Company.

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Grants of Plan-Based Awards
          The following table provides information related to options granted to the Named Executive Officers during the 2008 fiscal year and the exercise price of the stock options. Grants are made in accordance with the 2000 Plan, which includes grants made at fair market value on the date of grant, vesting in four equal installments beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date, and eight year terms. The aggregate grant date fair value of such annual option grants have ranged from one-fifth to one-fourth of the Named Executive Officer’s total compensation. We have not issued restricted stock, stock appreciation rights or other equity-based awards to our executive officers. We have not modified or repriced outstanding options.
                                                         
                                    All Other        
                                    Option Awards:   Exercise    
                                    Number of   or Base   Grant Date
            Estimated Future Payments Under Non-   Securities   Price of   Fair Value
    Grant   Equity Incentive Plan Awards (1)   Underlying   Option   of Option
Name   Date   Threshold   Target   Maximum   Options   Award   Awards (2)
Robert A. Frist, Jr.
        $     $ 8,405     $ 71,750           $     $  
Arthur E. Newman
    4/4/2008             8,405       71,750       32,000       2.80       50,560  
J. Edward Pearson
    4/4/2008             8,610       73,500       32,000       2.80       50,560  
Jeffrey S. Doster
    5/12/2008             5,235       44,685       75,000       3.13       132,750  
Gerard M. Hayden, Jr.
    5/19/2008             5,077       43,342       75,000       3.15       134,250  
Kevin O’Hara
    4/4/2008             7,585       64,750       32,000       2.80       50,560  
 
(1)   Represents the target and maximum bonus levels that could have been earned under the company’s incremental net income incentive plan for fiscal year 2008. The plan is described under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Cash Bonuses.” No bonus was payable for performance below the target. No cash bonuses were awarded under the plan since the Company did not achieve its net income target.
 
(2)   Represents the aggregate fair value computed in accordance with SFAS 123R. For significant assumptions with regard to such valuation under SFAS 123R, see Note 10 — Stock Based Compensation in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 27, 2009.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End
          The following table provides information related to options outstanding held by the Named Executive Officers at the end of fiscal year 2008. We have not issued stock appreciation rights or warrants to our executive officers.
                                 
               
    Number of Securities   Number of Securities        
    Underlying   Underlying   Option   Option
    Unexercised Options-   Unexercised Options-   Exercise   Expiration
Name   Exercisable   Unexercisable   Price(1)   Date(2)
Robert A. Frist, Jr.
    50,000           $ 2.69       2/19/2012  
 
    42,000       14,000     $ 3.18       2/25/2013  
 
                               
Arthur E. Newman
    90,000           $ 1.10       9/17/2009  
 
    50,000           $ 1.32       4/16/2011  
 
    40,000           $ 2.69       2/19/2012  
 
    24,000       8,000     $ 3.18       2/25/2013  
 
    18,000       18,000     $ 2.75       2/9/2014  
 
    8,500       25,500     $ 3.75       3/7/2015  
 
          32,000     $ 2.80       4/4/2016  
 
                               
J. Edward Pearson
    62,500       62,500     $ 3.39       6/14/2014  
 
    8,500       25,500     $ 3.75       3/7/2015  
 
          32,000     $ 2.80       4/4/2016  

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    Number of Securities   Number of Securities        
    Underlying   Underlying   Option   Option
    Unexercised Options-   Unexercised Options-   Exercise   Expiration
Name   Exercisable   Unexercisable   Price(1)   Date(2)
Jeffrey S. Doster
          75,000     $ 3.13       5/12/2016  
 
Gerard M. Hayden, Jr.
    3,750           $ 3.21       9/11/2016  
 
    6,000           $ 3.53       5/24/2017  
 
          75,000     $ 3.15       5/19/2016  
 
Kevin P. O’Hara
    5,000           $ 1.35       3/15/2010  
 
    10,000           $ 1.32       4/16/2011  
 
    16,000           $ 2.69       2/19/2012  
 
    15,000       5,000     $ 3.18       2/25/2013  
 
    14,000       14,000     $ 2.75       2/9/2014  
 
    8,500       25,500     $ 3.75       3/7/2015  
 
          32,000     $ 2.80       4/4/2016  
 
(1)   The exercise price is the closing price of our common stock on NASDAQ on the date of grant.
 
(2)   Options generally vest ratably over four years and expire eight years from the date of grant.
Options Exercised During 2008
          No options were exercised by our Named Executive Officers under the Company’s 2000 Plan during the 2008 fiscal year.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
          The following table provides information related to securities available and outstanding under the Company’s equity compensation plans as of the end of the 2008 fiscal year:
                         
                    Number of securities
    Number of securities   Weighted-average   remaining available for
    to be issued upon   exercise price of   future issuance under equity
    exercise of   outstanding   compensation plans
    outstanding options,   options, warrants   (excluding securities
Plan Category   warrants and rights   and rights   reflected in the first column)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
    2,426,795     $ 2.85       1,585,758  
 
                       
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
                 
Total
    2,426,795     $ 2.85       1,585,758  
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control
          As of December 31, 2008, we maintained only one employment agreement, with Robert A. Frist, Jr., our Chief Executive Officer. The term of the agreement automatically extends for successive one year periods unless either party provides 90 days advance notice of their intent not to further extend the employment term, in which case the employment agreement shall expire and terminate at the end of the extended employment term. Mr. Frist is entitled to severance benefits if we terminate him without cause; if he resigns for good reason after a change-in-control; if he resigns upon the occurrence of a material change in the terms of his employment; or if he resigns upon the occurrence of a material breach of the agreement by the Company. If any such termination occurs, Mr. Frist will be entitled to a severance benefit equal to 1.5 times the most recent recommended salary by our Compensation Committee for him. In addition, if Mr. Frist terminates his employment for good reason after the occurrence of a change-in-control, all options, shares and other benefits will fully vest immediately. If Mr. Frist is terminated for cause, or because of his death, disability, or

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voluntary resignation without good reason, he would not be entitled to any compensation or benefits beyond his effective termination date, other than benefits provided through statutory requirements.
          Under the terms of the 2000 Plan, any outstanding stock options will become fully vested and exercisable upon a change-in-control. Further, the 2000 Plan also provides for cash payments based on the difference between the change-in-control price per share of common stock and the per share exercise price of each outstanding option, multiplied by the number of shares of common stock that would be issued if such option were exercised upon a change-in-control. Under the terms of the 2000 Plan, the change-in-control price is to be based on the highest price paid per share for any transaction reported on NASDAQ at any time during the 60 day period immediately preceding the occurrence of the change-in-control.
The following table shows the potential payments described above for our Named Executive Officers:
                                         
    Termination                        
    without cause,                        
    resignation for                        
    good reason,           Involuntary            
    or resignation           termination for            
    for good           cause or            
    reason after a           resignation            
    change-in-   Change-in-   without good           Death or
Name   control   control   reason   Retirement   disability
Robert A. Frist, Jr.
Cash severance(1)
  $ 307,500     $     $     $     $  
Accelerated vesting of stock option awards(2)
    9,000       9,000                    
 
                                       
Arthur E. Newman
Accelerated vesting of stock option awards(2)
          250,810                    
 
                                       
J. Edward Pearson
Accelerated vesting of stock option awards(2)
          2,240                    
 
                                       
Jeffrey S. Doster
Accelerated vesting of stock option awards(2)
                             
 
                                       
Gerard M. Hayden, Jr.
Accelerated vesting of stock option awards(2)
                             
 
                                       
Kevin P. O’Hara
Accelerated vesting of stock option awards(2)
          29,390                    
 
(1)   Based on the employment agreement described above, based on Mr. Frist’s salary as of December 31, 2008.
 
(2)   Based on the highest price paid for our stock reported on NASDAQ in the 60 day period prior to December 31, 2008 of $2.87 per share, less the exercise price of any outstanding in-the-money stock options, multiplied by the total of the respective outstanding in-the-money stock options.
Director Compensation
          Cash Compensation of Directors. We pay each member of the board, who is not an officer or employee of the Company, $1,000 for each board meeting personally attended or attended via teleconference. In addition, we pay non-employee board members $500 for each board committee meeting personally or telephonically attended and pay committee chairpersons $1,000 for each committee meeting attended.
          Equity Compensation of Directors. During 2008, we granted 6,000 options to each non-employee director of the Company. The options vested immediately and had an exercise price equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant pursuant to the provisions of the

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2000 Plan as discussed below. For 2009, we will grant 10,000 options to each non-employee director of the Company. These options will vest annually, in two equal increments as of the first and second anniversaries of the grant date.
          Employee directors are not eligible for any compensation for service on the board or its committees.
The following table summarizes the compensation for the Company’s non-employee directors during 2008.
                         
    Fees Earned or   Option    
Name   Paid in Cash ($)   Awards ($) (1) (3)   Total ($)
James F. Daniell, M.D.
  $ 10,500     $ 12,360     $ 22,860  
Thompson S. Dent
    9,000       12,360       21,360  
Frank Gordon
    9,500       12,360       21,860  
Gerard M. Hayden, Jr.(2)
    7,000             7,000  
Jeffrey L. McLaren
    14,000       12,360       26,360  
Dale Polley
    18,000       12,360       30,360  
Linda Rebrovick
    14,500       12,360       26,860  
Michael Shmerling
    11,500       12,360       23,860  
William W. Stead, M.D.
    11,000       12,360       23,360  
 
(1)   Represents the total value of option awards to directors recognized as an expense during 2008 for financial accounting purposes under SFAS 123R. Option awards granted to directors during 2008 became fully vested upon the date of grant. For significant assumptions with regard to such valuation under SFAS 123R, see Note 10 – Stock Based Compensation in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 27, 2009.
 
(2)   On April 22, 2008, Mr. Hayden resigned as a Director of the Company and became Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company on May 19, 2008. Amounts in the table above only include compensation for his service as a director of the Company.
 
(3)   The aggregate number of option awards outstanding held by directors at fiscal year end 2008 was as follows:
         
    Option Awards
Name   Outstanding
James F. Daniell, M.D.
    52,000  
Thompson S. Dent
    57,000  
Frank Gordon
    42,000  
Jeffrey L. McLaren
    42,000  
Dale Polley
    15,750  
Linda Rebrovick
    42,000  
Michael Shmerling
    12,000  
William W. Stead, M.D.
    57,000  
Executive Officers of the Company
The following is a brief summary of the business experience of each of the executive officers of the Company. Officers of the Company are elected by the Board of Directors and serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. The following table sets forth certain information regarding the executive officers of the Company:
             
Name   Age   Position
Robert A. Frist, Jr.
    42     Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors
Arthur E. Newman
    60     Executive Vice President
J. Edward Pearson
    46     Senior Vice President and President of HealthStream Research
Jeffrey S. Doster
    44     Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer
Gerard M. Hayden, Jr.
    54     Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Kevin P. O’Hara
    39     Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Compliance Officer
Robert A. Frist, Jr., one of our co-founders, has served as our chief executive officer and chairman of the board of directors since 1990 and president since 2001. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in business with concentrations in finance, economics and marketing from Trinity University.

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Arthur E. Newman joined the Company in January 2000, and is currently our Executive Vice President. Previously he served as our chief financial officer and senior vice president from January 2000 to March 2006. He holds a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from the University of Miami and a Master of Business Administration from Rutgers University.
J. Edward Pearson joined the company in June 2006 as senior vice president, responsible for our survey and research business and was named president of HealthStream Research™ during 2007. From June 2003 to June 2006, he served as president and chief executive officer of DigiScript, an Internet-based training and communication solutions provider for the life sciences industry. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from Middle Tennessee State University.
Jeffrey S. Doster joined the Company in May 2008 as senior vice president and chief technology officer. From November 2006 to May 2008, he served as principal at The Altus Group LLC, a business consulting company. From March 2005 to October 2006, he served as senior vice president and chief technology officer at The Shop at Home Network, LLC, a television shopping company. From October 2000 to April 2004, he served as senior vice president of information technology at New Roads, Inc., a provider of fulfillment and other services to retailers. He earned undergraduate degrees in both Economics and Business Administration from Towson University, as well as a Master of Business Administration from Loyola College, in Maryland.
Gerard M. Hayden, Jr. joined the Company as senior vice president and chief financial officer in May 2008. From April 2007 to May 2008, he served as executive vice president and chief financial officer of MedAvant Healthcare Solutions (“MedAvant”), a healthcare transaction processing company. In July 2008, MedAvant filed for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code, and was sold in September 2008. From January 2005 to April 2007, Mr. Hayden was a consultant for various healthcare, technology and other business ventures. From November 2001 to January 2005, he served as chief financial officer for Private Business, Inc., a company offering marketing and software solutions to regional and community banks in the United States. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Science from Northeastern University. Mr. Hayden served on the Company’s Board of Directors and was a member of the Audit Committee from September 2006 to May 2008.
Kevin P. O’Hara joined the company in 2002, and was promoted to senior vice president and general counsel in February 2007. He assumed compliance officer responsibilities during August 2007. He previously served as vice president for the company. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and a J.D. from Vanderbilt University.

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STOCK OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
     The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of March 31, 2009 (unless otherwise noted), for:
    each person who is known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of the outstanding shares of our common stock;
 
    each of our directors and nominees;
 
    each of our Named Executive Officers; and
 
    all of our directors and executive officers as a group.
          The percentages of shares outstanding provided in the table are based on 21,382,055 shares outstanding as of March 31, 2009. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. Unless otherwise indicated, each person or entity named in the table has sole voting and investment power, or shares voting and investment power with his or her spouse, with respect to all shares of stock listed as owned by that person. The number of shares shown does not include the interest of certain persons in shares held by family members in their own right. Shares issuable upon exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2009 are considered outstanding for the purpose of calculating the percentage of outstanding shares of our common stock held by the individual, but not for the purpose of calculating the percentage of outstanding shares held by any other individual. The address of each of our directors and executive officers listed below is c/o HealthStream, Inc., 209 10th Avenue South, Suite 450, Nashville, Tennessee 37203.
                 
Name   Number of Shares   Percent
Robert A. Frist, Jr.
    5,945,340  (1)     27.8 %
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.
    2,507,800  (2)     11.7 %
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co.
    1,138,940  (3)     5.3 %
Arthur E. Newman
    294,700  (4)     1.4 %
Jeffrey L. McLaren
    289,380  (5)     1.4 %
Frank Gordon
    282,886  (6)     1.3 %
Michael Shmerling
    124,820  (7)       *
J. Edward Pearson
    117,100  (8)       *
Kevin P. O’Hara
    92,200  (9)       *
James F. Daniell
    91,948  (10)       *
Thompson S. Dent
    86,394  (11)       *
Linda Rebrovick
    62,000  (12)       *
William W. Stead
    60,700  (13)       *
Gerard M. Hayden, Jr.
    21,250  (14)       *
Dale Polley
    20,750  (15)       *
Jeffrey S. Doster
    7,500  (16)       *
All directors and executive officers as a group (14 persons)
    7,496,968  (17)     35.1 %
 
*   Less than one percent.
 
(1)   Includes 106,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options.
 
(2)   100 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202-1009. Based upon information set forth in Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 11, 2009 jointly by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (“Price Associates”) and T. Rowe Price New Horizons Fund, Inc. (“New Horizons”), these shares are held by various individual and institutional investors for which Price Associates and New Horizons serve as investment advisor with power to direct investments and/or sole power

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    to vote the shares. Price Associates and New Horizons disclaim beneficial ownership of these shares except to the extent of their pecuniary interest in those shares.
 
(3)   1221 Avenue of the Americas, 39th Floor, New York, New York 10020. Based on information provided to the Company by Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co. on April 3, 2009. Morgan Stanley Venture Partners III, L.P. owns 999,284 common shares. Morgan Stanley Venture Investors III, L.P. owns 95,947 common shares. The Morgan Stanley Venture Partners Entrepreneur Fund, L.P. owns 43,709 common shares. The General Partner is the general partner of Morgan Stanley Venture Partners III, L.P., Morgan Stanley Venture Investors III, L.P. and The Morgan Stanley Venture Partners Entrepreneur Fund, L.P. (collectively, the “Funds”), and, as such, has the power to vote or direct the vote and to dispose or direct the disposition of all of the shares held by the Funds. Morgan Stanley Venture Capital III, Inc. is the institutional managing member of the General Partner, and, as such, shares, together with the remaining managing members, the power to direct the actions of the General Partner. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co., as the sole shareholder of Morgan Stanley Venture Capital III, Inc., controls the actions of Morgan Stanley Venture Capital III, Inc.
 
(4)   Includes 259,200 shares issuable upon exercise of options.
 
(5)   Includes 42,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options.
 
(6)   136,000 of these shares are held by Crofton Capital. Mr. Gordon disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interest in those shares. 11,386 of these shares are held by The Joel Company. Mr. Gordon disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interest in those shares. Also includes 42,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options.
 
(7)   Includes 12,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options.
 
(8)   Includes 82,700 shares issuable upon exercise of options.
 
(9)   Includes 92,200 shares issuable upon exercise of options.
 
(10)   Includes 52,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options.
 
(11)   Includes 57,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options.
 
(12)   Includes 42,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options.
 
(13)   Includes 57,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options.
 
(14)   Includes 17,250 shares issuable upon exercise of options.
 
(15)   Includes 15,750 shares issuable upon exercise of options.
 
(16)   Includes 7,500 shares issuable upon exercise of options.
 
(17)   Includes 884,600 shares issuable upon exercise of options.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
          We believe that during the 2008 fiscal year, all SEC filings of directors, officers and greater than ten-percent shareholders complied with the requirements of Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except as follows, (1) Arthur E. Newman who failed to timely file one Form 4 reporting a purchase of stock, (2) J. Edward Pearson who failed to timely file one Form 4 reporting a purchase of stock, (3) Gerard M. Hayden, Jr. who failed to timely file one Form 4 reporting a grant of stock options, (4) Jeffrey S. Doster who failed to file one Form 4 reporting a grant of stock options, and (5) Jeffrey L. McLaren who failed to timely file one Form 4 reporting a sale of stock. This belief is based on our review of forms filed or written representations that no forms were required.

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GENERAL INFORMATION
Important Notice Regarding Delivery of Shareholder Documents
          The rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission allow the Company to send a single copy of the Proxy Statement and Annual Report to Shareholders to any household at which two or more shareholders reside if the Company believes the shareholders are members of the same family, unless the Company has received contrary instructions from a shareholder. This process, known as “householding,” reduces the volume of duplicate information received at your household and helps reduce the Company’s expenses. The rule applies to the Company’s annual reports and proxy statements. Each shareholder in the household will continue to receive a separate proxy card.
          If your shares are registered in your own name and you would like to receive your own set of the Company’s annual disclosure documents this year or in future years, or if you share an address with another shareholder and together both of you would like to receive only a single set of the Company’s annual disclosure documents, please contact the Company’s Secretary by calling (800) 845-1579 or writing to the Company at HealthStream, Inc., Investor Relations Department, 209 10th Avenue South, Suite 450, Nashville, Tennessee 37203. If a bank, broker or other nominee holds your shares, please contact your bank, broker or other nominee directly. The Company will deliver within 30 days upon oral or written request a separate copy of the Proxy Statement or Annual Report to Shareholders to a shareholder at a shared address to which a single copy of the documents was delivered.
Annual Report
          Our 2008 Annual Report to Shareholders is being included as an enclosure with this proxy statement. The Annual Report is not part of the proxy solicitation materials.
Additional Information
          A copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, excluding certain of the exhibits thereto, may be obtained by visiting our website at www.healthstream.com or may be obtained without charge by writing to HealthStream, Inc., Investor Relations Department, 209 10th Avenue South, Suite 450, Nashville, Tennessee 37203 or by making an oral request by calling (615) 301-3237. We will furnish any exhibits to our Annual Report on Form 10-K upon the payment of fees equal to our reasonable expenses in furnishing such exhibits. The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and various other filings also may be accessed in the “Corporate Governance” section of our website at www.healthstream.com or www.sec.gov.
Nashville, Tennessee
April 29, 2009

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    (HEALTHSTREAM LOGO)       (BAR CODE)
(BAR CODE)          
Electronic Voting Instructions
You can vote by Internet or telephone!
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Instead of mailing your proxy, you may choose one of the two voting
methods outlined below to vote your proxy.

VALIDATION DETAILS ARE LOCATED BELOW IN THE TITLE BAR.

Proxies submitted by the Internet or telephone must be received by
11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, on May 27th, 2009.
 
 
              (INTERNET)   Vote by Internet
      Log on to the Internet and go to
       www.envisionreports.com/HSTM
      Follow the steps outlined on the secured website.
 
                 
 
 
              (TELEPHONE)   Vote by telephone
      Call toll free 1-800-652-VOTE (8683) within the United
        States, Canada & Puerto Rico any time on a touch tone
        telephone. There is NO CHARGE to you for the call.
 
                   
Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas.
x                 Follow the instructions provided by the recorded message.
(ANNUAL MEETING PROXY)
IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. 
 
 A  Proposals — The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” the election of each of the nominees for director listed in
                               Proposal 1 below and “FOR” Proposal 2 below.
 

      
               
             
+ 
1. To elect the following nominees as Class III directors to the Board of Directors until the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until their respective successors are elected and qualified:
  01 - Robert A. First, Jr.   02 - Frank Gordon    
                                             
o
  Mark here to vote FOR all nominees                                        
 
                                           
o
  Mark here to WITHHOLD vote from all nominees                                        
 
        01       02                          
o
  For All EXCEPT - To withhold a vote for one or more nominees, mark the box to the left and the corresponding numbered box(es) to the right.   o   o            
                   
 
  For   Against   Abstain        
2. To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009.
  o   o   o  
3. To vote in accordance with their best judgment with respect to any other matters which may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof.
 


     
 B  Non-Voting Items
Change of Address — Please print new address below.
   
 
 
 C 
Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. — Date and Sign Below
 
This Proxy should be marked, dated, and signed by the shareholder(s) exactly as his or her name appears hereon, and returned promptly in the enclosed envelope. Persons signing in a fiduciary capacity should so indicate. If shares are held by joint tenants or as community property, both should sign.
           
Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below.
  Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box.   Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box.
 /       /                 
     
(GRAPHIC)  
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IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
 
(HEALTHSTREAM LOGO)
 
Proxy — HealthStream, Inc.
 
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF HEALTHSTREAM, INC.
The undersigned shareholder(s) of HealthStream, Inc., a Tennessee corporation, hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement, each dated April 29, 2009, and hereby appoints Robert A. Frist, Jr. and Gerard M. Hayden, Jr., and each of them, proxies and attorneys in fact, with full power to each of substitution, on behalf and in the name of the undersigned, to represent the undersigned at the 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of HealthStream, Inc. to be held on Thursday, May 28, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time, at 209 10th Avenue, South, Suite 450, Nashville, Tennessee 37203, and at any adjournment or adjournments thereof, and to vote all shares of Common Stock which the undersigned would be entitled to vote if then and there personally present, on the matters set forth herein.
This Proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in accordance with the directions given by the undersigned shareholder. If no direction is made, it will be voted FOR the proposals set forth herein and as the proxies deem advisable on such other matters as may come before the meeting.
PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THIS PROXY PROMPTLY.
(Items to be voted appear on reverse side.)