Celebrating 130 Years of X-rays and 20 Years of Phoenix Ortho Excellence
By Paul McCune, Founder and CEO of Phoenix Ortho
As I sit down to write this, I’m filled with a profound sense of gratitude and pride. This year marks two incredible milestones: the 130th anniversary of the X-ray’s invention and the 20th anniversary of Phoenix Ortho. These moments are deeply intertwined, rooted in a shared mission to advance orthopedic care through innovation. As we prepare to return to AAOE 2025 in Atlanta this week, I want to reflect on this journey and invite you to celebrate with us.
In 1895, Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, a German physicist, stumbled upon a discovery that would change medicine forever: the X-ray.
While experimenting with cathode rays, he noticed a fluorescent screen glowing through objects, revealing the invisible. His first X-ray image—of his wife’s hand—became the first definitive diagnostic tool for musculoskeletal conditions, a cornerstone of orthopedic care. For 130 years, X-rays have been the bedrock of our field, allowing physicians to diagnose and treat bones, joints, and muscles with precision. As an EHR Company exclusively focused on orthopedics this milestone resonates deeply with us—it’s the foundation of everything we do.
Fast forward to 2005, we founded Phoenix Ortho with a singular vision: to create technology that truly serves orthopedic practices.
At the time, I saw a glaring gap in the EHR market. Generic systems were clunky, forcing physicians to navigate bloated menus and disconnected workflows. But for orthopedics, one truth stood out—diagnostic imaging like X-rays isn’t just a tool; it’s fundamental to orthopedics. So, we did something no one else had done: we built the only EHR with a fully integrated DICOM Imaging/PACS system and viewer. From day one, we ensured that orthopedic physicians could access X-rays and other modalities seamlessly within their EHR, streamlining workflows and enhancing patient care.
For 20 years, we’ve stayed laser-focused on orthopedics.
Unlike other vendors who dabble in the specialty, we’ve never wavered from our mission. Our integrated PACS remains unmatched, a testament to our deep understanding of what orthopedic practices need. Over the past two decades, we’ve helped thousands of physicians save time, reduce errors, and focus on what matters most—healing their patients.
This year, as we celebrate our 20th anniversary, we’re also marking our return to AAOE after a two-year
hiatus. During that time, we’ve been hard at work transitioning from our gold-standard client-server platform to something even better: Phoenix Go and Phoenix Go PT. These modern, mobile solutions are the culmination of our 20 years of expertise, combining the best of our legacy with a lightning-fast, iPad- and browser-based UI. With features like 60-second documentation for complex exams and seamless PACS access on the go, Phoenix Go empowers orthopedic physicians and physical therapists to work smarter, not harder. It’s the future of orthopedic care, built on the foundation of 130 years of X-ray innovation.
I’m thrilled to invite you to join us at AAOE 2025 in Atlanta at booth #511. We’ll be celebrating these milestones with live demos of Phoenix Go, a chance to win an iPad, and a toast to the legacy of the X-ray and the future of Phoenix Ortho. If you can’t make it, I encourage you to schedule a demo to see how we’re carrying this 130-year tradition of innovation into the next era of orthopedic care.
At Phoenix Ortho, we don’t just honor the past—we build on it. Here’s to 130 years of X-ray innovation, 20 years of Phoenix Ortho excellence, and the next era of orthopedic care.
Warm regards,
Paul McCune
Founder and CEO, Phoenix Ortho