Dr. Virgilio Galvis arrives in Bucaramanga full of dreams and as a graduate of the University of Antioquia, after having strengthened his skills as an Ophthalmologist, with advanced courses in Colombia and the United States in refractive and ocular plastic surgery, and also with studies in Hospital Management and Health Auditing.

Doctor Galvis began to provide his professional services in a private office in Bucaramanga, but determined to achieve his objectives of advancing in the constant search to perform and lead the most up-to-date and advanced ophthalmological techniques and have the latest technological advances in this area. To serve the community and to be linked to the university as a teacher in the training of specialist doctors, he undertook a larger project: the Santander Ophthalmological Foundation (FOS).

Initially the FOS operated in an old house on 34th Street and 28th Street in Bucaramanga, where 1979 and with the technological restrictions of any good beginning, the first experiences of community service were obtained and ophthalmological care was provided for two years, thanks to the work of professional and paramedical human resources committed to the institutional mission of 'Helping Others See'.

He July 27, 1982, the modern 5,800 square meter building of the Santander Ophthalmological Foundation – FOS, one of the most modern in the country at the time, is inaugurated in the south of the metropolitan area.

The Santander Ophthalmological Foundation/Clínica Ardila Lulle (FOSCAL) was born as one of the most important comprehensive medical complexes in the country, including not only ophthalmology but all specialties of medicine.

Dr. Virgilio Galvis established a high-tech ophthalmological center within this medical complex, offering a comprehensive ophthalmology service with the highest and most advanced technology available.

Dr. Virgilio Galvis Ramírez, founder and manager of the organization, launches the new mega project of growth and expansion: The Foscal International Clinic, which was born as a response to the need to cover the health care deficit presented by the region, that same year, the Virgilio Galvis Ophthalmological Center was created, seeking to provide specialized care in ophthalmology with high standards of quality and warmth, for which we always seek to have highly qualified human talent and the latest technology at the service of vision for patients and their family.

The modern 140 thousand square meter building has a high-tech infrastructure that integrates medical and hospital services, innovation, scientific research and knowledge development, for the care of national and international patients who require highly complex services.

The development of the Foscal Internacional Clinic, located in the El Bosque sector in Floridablanca, in front of the Faculty of Medicine of the Autonomous University of Bucaramanga, contemplated large spaces in common areas, waiting rooms, specialized units, comfort for patients on the hospitalization floors, outpatient consultation, specialized consultation and a large surgical area with the support of modern intensive care units.

Since that same year 2012, the Virgilio Galvis Ophthalmology Center also opened its headquarters in the new FOSCAL INTERNACIONAL medical complex. Both in the original headquarters and in its new headquarters, a permanent technological update has been maintained and there has been a constant involvement of highly qualified specialists in order to provide a very high quality service.

The Virgilio Galvis Ophthalmological Center is consolidated with the opening of its COTA Advanced Technology Center with Latest Technology equipment, the Facial Integral Orobela aesthetics and the Optical business unit to respond to the need to cover the comprehensive visual health service of all our national and foreign patients.

On December 15, 2019, the Vioptica stores open in Santander, a comprehensive solution for people who need glasses and lenses. Vioptica was born as an initiative between the Virgilio Galvis Ophthalmological Center and the Santander Ophthalmological Foundation to reach all Santander families. .

Opening and reopening of the El Cacique Shopping Center, Barrancabermeja, San Gil, Piedecuesta and soon Girón and Bucaramanga.

The 14th anniversary of the FOSCAL International Ophthalmology Course is celebrated, led by Dr. Virgilio Galvis and our Scientific Director, Dr. Alejandro Tello Hernández, accompanied by Dr. Rubén Berrospi, Medical Director of the Institution.

Given the beginning of the pandemic that changed the course of our history, rigorous biosafety protocols were implemented for the peace of mind of our patients.

The “Let's help others See” program begins, a program designed for the vulnerable population, accompanied by the medical and assistance team along the routes of Santander.

Provided the optometry and ophthalmology screening service for all provinces of Santander.

Accompanied by its medical, administrative and healthcare team, it carries out a technological transformation in all its headquarters, modernizing and including its COS San Gil headquarters.

The construction of headquarters 5 located on the 9th floor of the FOSCAL International Clinic is being carried out to care for patients of various specialties such as: Glaucoma, Retina, Vitreous, Uveitis and Neuro-ophthalmology with various offices with the comfort, technology and warmth that we characterizes.