--- title: Founders Storys description: "Dr. Rory Murphy is a board-certified neurosurgeon at Barrow Neurological Institute and Medical Advisor to Fortega Medical. His mission: close the radiation protection gap for physicians working in U.S. operating rooms." image: https://fortegamedical.com/hubfs/Screenshot%202026-03-12%20at%2010.33.46%20AM.png --- [Home](https://fortegamedical.com/?hsLang=en)› [Customers](https://fortegamedical.com/clinician-feedback?hsLang=en)› Featured Physicians› Dr. Rory Murphy, MD Featured Physician # Dr. Rory Murphy, MD Board-Certified Neurosurgeon  ·  Barrow Neurological Institute  ·  Medical Advisor, Fortega Medical Dr. Murphy is a neurosurgeon who recognized that physicians working daily under fluoroscopy had no validated options to protect their head, neck, or eyes from radiation — and decided to change that. - Board-Certified Neurosurgeon, **Barrow Brain and Spine** — complex spinal and cranial surgery - Associate Professor of Neurosurgery, **Barrow Neurological Institute** - Medical Advisor, **Fortega Medical** — bringing clinically validated radiation protection to U.S. physicians - Investigator, **Neuralink PRIME Study** at Barrow Neurological Institute RM Dr. Rory Murphy, MD Neurosurgeon · Medical Advisor Barrow Neurological Institute 4.4mSv head radiation after just 20 fluoroscopic procedures 96.7% additional dose reduction 2,000+ physicians now protected The Mission ## A neurosurgeon who recognized the gap no one was talking about Dr. Rory Murphy has spent his career at the intersection of clinical excellence and medical innovation. As a neurosurgeon at Barrow Neurological Institute, he performs complex spinal and cranial procedures under fluoroscopic imaging every week. But that career led him to a quiet realization: the physicians doing the work were absorbing radiation to areas of their bodies with no protection — and it had been passively accepted for decades. That recognition set in motion a mission that became Fortega Medical. Not a company born in a boardroom. A company built from an operating room. The Spark ## The moment that stopped him in his tracks A few years ago, while in Sweden with Intelligent Implants, Ltd., Dr. Murphy encountered something he'd never seen before: a lightweight, lead-free, clinically validated textile that reduced radiation to the head and neck by up to 90%. It wasn't a prototype. Surgeons across Europe were wearing it daily — comfortably enough that they forgot it was there. When he got home, his wife asked how he protects his head in the OR. **"We don't have any good options in the U.S."** On the flight home, he reviewed the data. Surgeons absorb 4.4 mSv to the head after just 20 procedures — even with standard shielding in place. The gap was real, and no one was closing it. --- The Problem ## The radiation gap in U.S. operating rooms Surgeons working with fluoroscopy accumulate radiation throughout their careers. The standard lead apron was designed for the torso — but for most U.S. physicians, the head, thyroid, and eyes have had no validated protection option. Until now. Before Fortega The U.S. standard ✗ Lead apron covers torso only ✗ Head and brain: no protection ✗ Thyroid shield often misaligned ✗ Eye lens: no standard shielding ✗ No validated U.S. solution → With Fortega A full protection ecosystem ✓ Lead-free textile — up to 96.7% dose reduction ✓ Specialized eye protection for fluoroscopy ✓ Nutraceutical support for radiation exposure ✓ Whole-room protection — nurses, techs, staff ✓ Clinically validated, fits existing OR workflows 4.4 mSv Radiation absorbed at the head after just **20 fluoroscopic procedures** — even with standard lead shielding in place. Bärenfänger et al., European Journal of Radiology, 2022 Most Vulnerable — Least Protected Brain / Head High risk Thyroid High risk Eye lens High risk Torso (with apron) Protected "The brain. The thyroid. The eyes. Are among the most exposed — and least protected — areas in surgery. Why is that acceptable in 2025?" — Dr. Rory Murphy, MD " Surgeons have spent decades investing in patient safety. **Now it's time we invest in physician protection with the same urgency.** Dr. Rory Murphy, MD  ·  Board-Certified Neurosurgeon  ·  Medical Advisor, Fortega Medical The Origin ## The conversation that started Fortega When Dr. Murphy returned from Sweden, he called **JP Hartigan** — an entrepreneur with a track record of bringing breakthrough products to industries resistant to change. The two shared the same instinct: something that was already protecting surgeons across Europe had no presence in U.S. operating rooms — not in workflows, not in systems, not in the conversation. In January, running across the Golden Gate Bridge, they put a plan together. They mapped out a plan to bring that protection to U.S. physicians. The mission: bring clinically validated radiation protection to neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, and pain management doctors — and make it genuinely workable in an OR environment. That scope has since grown. Fortega is now building partnerships across a broader ecosystem — **specialized eye protection** for fluoroscopy environments, **nutraceutical approaches** that support the body's response to occupational radiation, and solutions designed to protect **everyone in the room**: not just the primary surgeon, but the nurses, techs, and staff absorbing scatter radiation alongside them every day. 1 Discovery in Sweden Dr. Murphy encounters Europe's radiation protection textile while working with Intelligent Implants, Ltd. 2 The Literature Review He confirms the data on the flight home: 4.4 mSv to the head per 20 procedures — and no U.S. solution. 3 The Call to JP Hartigan Dr. Murphy contacts JP Hartigan and lays out the opportunity to protect American physicians. 4 Fortega Medical is Founded A physician-driven mission becomes a company — built with doctors, for doctors. --- The Movement ## Surgeons protecting surgeons Fortega is built through relationships with physicians. Every surgeon who wears Fortega protection joins a growing conversation about occupational radiation safety in medicine. HM Dr. Hugh McDermott Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation SpineNevada, Reno NV "Really easy on and off for clinic use with my interventional pain procedures, usually 20+ a day." PD Dr. Peter B. Derman, MD, MBA Minimally Invasive Spine Surgeon Texas Back Institute "Lightweight and fits comfortably — way better than a traditional thyroid shield." RG Dr. Richard Guyer, MD Co-Founder, Texas Back Institute Spine Surgery "Much needed and overlooked. My scrub nurse grabbed it from me and wore it the entire day!" PK Dr. Peter Kubitz, MD Interventional Physiatrist Pain Consultants of Arizona · HonorHealth "This product has become the new norm for me during procedures." AH Dr. Andrew Hsu, MD Spine Surgery Swift Institute Among the first U.S. surgeons wearing Fortega protection as part of their standard OR workflow. + Join the Conversation Surgeons across neurosurgery, orthopedics, and pain management are piloting Fortega. Interested in physician radiation protection? Reach out to Dr. Murphy or JP Hartigan. [Get in touch →](https://fortegamedical.com/texray-0-2?hsLang=en) Follow the Conversation ## The post that started it all Dr. Murphy's founding story resonated with physicians across specialties — hundreds of reactions and dozens of comments — and a conversation that's still growing. [RM Rory Murphy, MD Board Certified Neurosurgeon, Barrow Brain and Spine](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7327663855407366145/) A few years ago, while in Sweden, I came across a textile — lightweight, lead-free, clinically validated — that reduced radiation to the head and neck by up to 90%. Later, my wife asked how I protect my head in the OR. I had to admit: we don't have any good options in the U.S. "Surgeons absorb up to 4.4 mSv to the head after just 20 procedures — even with standard shielding. The brain. The thyroid. The eyes. Are among the most exposed and least protected areas in surgery." #radiationsafety #neurosurgery #physicianwellness #fortegamedical · Hundreds of reactions · Many comments · Multiple reposts [View post on LinkedIn →](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7327663855407366145/) Follow the Conversation Dr. Murphy regularly shares insights on physician radiation safety, clinical innovation, and the future of surgeon protection. Physician radiation exposure Surgeon occupational safety Clinical innovation in the OR The future of radiation protection Physician wellness & career longevity [Follow Dr. Rory Murphy on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/rory-murphy-53a63779/) Get in Touch Interested in Fortega's radiation protection system? Reach out to Dr. Murphy or JP Hartigan directly. [Contact / Text Us Directly →](https://fortegamedical.com/texray-0-2?hsLang=en) --- Clinical Credibility ## Dr. Murphy's clinical background Academic Role & Training Associate Professor of Neurosurgery at **Barrow Neurological Institute** — one of the world's leading neurological centers — with active clinical, research, and teaching roles. Medical degree from **University College Cork**. Neurosurgery residency at **Washington University in St. Louis**. Fellowship in Functional Neurosurgery at **UCSF**. Research & Publications - Published in *Nature*, *Journal of Neurosurgery*, *Neurosurgery*, and *Spine* - Investigator, Neuralink PRIME Study at Barrow - Trustee, Myelopathy.org - Advisory member, Barrow / Phoenix Children's - PHOENIX magazine Top Doc, 2023–2025 Clinical Specialties - Complex spinal conditions - Spinal cord compression & myelopathy - Cranial and spinal tumors - Peripheral nerve disorders - Minimally invasive neurosurgery [Skip to content](https://fortegamedical.com/founders-storys#main-content) [![Untitled (1128 x 191 px) (600 x 200 px) (1)](https://fortegamedical.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Untitled%20(1128%20x%20191%20px)%20(600%20x%20200%20px)%20(1).png?width=600&height=200&name=Untitled%20(1128%20x%20191%20px)%20(600%20x%20200%20px)%20(1).png)Homepage](https://fortegamedical.com?hsLang=en) - [Media](https://fortegamedical.com/media?hsLang=en) - [Customers](https://fortegamedical.com/clinician-feedback?hsLang=en) - [Neurosurgeons](https://fortegamedical.com/neurosurgeons?hsLang=en) - [Pain Management Doctors](https://fortegamedical.com/pain-management-doctors?hsLang=en) - [Orthopedic & Spine Surgeons](https://fortegamedical.com/orthopedics-spine-surgeons?hsLang=en) - [Cardiovascular Surgeons](https://fortegamedical.com/cardiovascular-surgeons?hsLang=en) - [Feat. Dr Rory Murphy](https://fortegamedical.com/founders-storys) - [Feat. Dr Peter Derman](https://fortegamedical.com/dr-peter-derman?hsLang=en) - [Feat. Dr Hugh McDermott](https://fortegamedical.com/dr.-hugh-mcdermott-interventional-pain-doctor-fortega?hsLang=en) - [Product](https://fortegamedical.com/buy-now?hsLang=en) - [Head Protection](https://fortegamedical.com/head-protector?hsLang=en) - [Neck Protection](https://fortegamedical.com/neck-protector?hsLang=en) - [Name Tags & Customize](https://fortegamedical.com/name-tag-customize?hsLang=en) - [Events & Demos](https://fortegamedical.com/events-demos?hsLang=en) - Partner Events - Fortega Events - Amplify Lab Tour - Resources - [SB 1120: What you need to know](https://fortegamedical.com/arizona-sb-1120-radiation-protection-requirements-masterpeace?hsLang=en) - [Radiation Safety in Orthopaedic Surgery](https://fortegamedical.com/is-your-or-team-radiation-safe-the-data-says-probably-not-fortega?hsLang=en) - [Education](https://fortegamedical.com/education-fortega-medical?hsLang=en) - [Latest News](https://fortegamedical.com/arizona-sb-1120-sb-1118-radiation-protection-systems?hsLang=en) - [References/Guides](https://fortegamedical.com/resources-data?hsLang=en) - [Contact us](https://fortegamedical.com/texray-0-2?hsLang=en) - [Founding Story](https://fortegamedical.com/founders-storys) [Buy Now](https://fortegamedical.com/buy-now?hsLang=en) - [Media](https://fortegamedical.com/media?hsLang=en) - [Customers](https://fortegamedical.com/clinician-feedback?hsLang=en) - [Neurosurgeons](https://fortegamedical.com/neurosurgeons?hsLang=en) - [Pain Management Doctors](https://fortegamedical.com/pain-management-doctors?hsLang=en) - [Orthopedic & Spine Surgeons](https://fortegamedical.com/orthopedics-spine-surgeons?hsLang=en) - [Cardiovascular Surgeons](https://fortegamedical.com/cardiovascular-surgeons?hsLang=en) - [Feat. Dr Rory Murphy](https://fortegamedical.com/founders-storys) - [Feat. Dr Peter Derman](https://fortegamedical.com/dr-peter-derman?hsLang=en) - [Feat. Dr Hugh McDermott](https://fortegamedical.com/dr.-hugh-mcdermott-interventional-pain-doctor-fortega?hsLang=en) - [Product](https://fortegamedical.com/buy-now?hsLang=en) - [Head Protection](https://fortegamedical.com/head-protector?hsLang=en) - [Neck Protection](https://fortegamedical.com/neck-protector?hsLang=en) - [Name Tags & Customize](https://fortegamedical.com/name-tag-customize?hsLang=en) - [Events & Demos](https://fortegamedical.com/events-demos?hsLang=en) - Partner Events - Fortega Events - Amplify Lab Tour - Resources - [SB 1120: What you need to know](https://fortegamedical.com/arizona-sb-1120-radiation-protection-requirements-masterpeace?hsLang=en) - [Radiation Safety in Orthopaedic Surgery](https://fortegamedical.com/is-your-or-team-radiation-safe-the-data-says-probably-not-fortega?hsLang=en) - [Education](https://fortegamedical.com/education-fortega-medical?hsLang=en) - [Latest News](https://fortegamedical.com/arizona-sb-1120-sb-1118-radiation-protection-systems?hsLang=en) - [References/Guides](https://fortegamedical.com/resources-data?hsLang=en) - [Contact us](https://fortegamedical.com/texray-0-2?hsLang=en) - [Founding Story](https://fortegamedical.com/founders-storys) [Buy Now](https://fortegamedical.com/buy-now?hsLang=en) [![Untitled (1128 x 191 px) (600 x 200 px)](https://fortegamedical.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Untitled%20(1128%20x%20191%20px)%20(600%20x%20200%20px).png?width=600&height=200&name=Untitled%20(1128%20x%20191%20px)%20(600%20x%20200%20px).png "Untitled (1128 x 191 px) (600 x 200 px)")](https://fortegamedical.com/?hsLang=en) - [Media](https://fortegamedical.com/media?hsLang=en) - [Customers](https://fortegamedical.com/clinician-feedback?hsLang=en) - [Product](https://fortegamedical.com/buy-now?hsLang=en) - [Events & Demos](https://fortegamedical.com/events-demos?hsLang=en) - Resources - [Contact us](https://fortegamedical.com/texray-0-2?hsLang=en) References · Privacy Policy · Legal · © 2026. All rights reserved.