Research and Academia
Research and Scientific Articles
The Virgilio Galvis Ophthalmology Center, a High-Tech Center within FOSCAL, is part of the practice setting for ophthalmology residency programs under the teaching-care agreements with the Industrial University of Santander (UIS) and the Autonomous University of Bucaramanga (UNAB). Additionally, endorsed by the Autonomous University of Bucaramanga (UNAB), it also offers a one-year fellowship program in Anterior Segment, Cornea, and Refractive Surgery.
A review of SCORPUS, one of the most recognized databases of scientific articles, reveals that among the list of researchers with the highest output affiliated with the Autonomous University of Bucaramanga are two researchers from the Galvis and A. Tello group with 120 publications.
The most cited ophthalmology article by Colombian authors in the last 6 years, ranked as the fourth most cited in the UK journal “Eye” within the same period of publication, and with more than 230 citations registered in Google Scholar, was published on the topic of keratoconus by researchers at the Virgilio Galvis Ophthalmology Center, in association with international researchers.
Scientific Director - Dr. Alejandro Tello, Phd.
The research department at the Virgilio Galvis Ophthalmological Center is directed by Dr. Alejandro Tello, MD, PhD. He is supported by ophthalmologists, optometrists, epidemiologists, industrial engineers, biomedical engineers, and systems engineers.
The research products published in recent years led to a study published in the Journal of the National Academy of Medicine in January 2019, indicating that the only ophthalmologists included among the 20 Colombian authors with the most publications indexed in SCOPUS from 2008 to 2017 were two researchers from the group (V Galvis and A Tello).
Lines of research of the Virgilio Galvis Ophthalmology Center research department:
Myopia, Keratoconus, Corneal endothelial dystrophies, Refractive surgery, Cataract surgery, Ocular biometry, Corneal transplant, Intraocular lenses, Eye infections, Amblyopia.
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
Residency Program
- The Ophthalmology specialization program at the Santander Ophthalmology Foundation/Ardila Lülle Clinic (FOSCAL), which operates under a teaching-care agreement with the Autonomous University of Bucaramanga (UNAB), lasts four years and requires full-time, exclusive dedication.
- All information regarding the call for applications for the resident physician selection process can be found on the following page: www.unab.edu.co Entering through: Programs, Postgraduate Programs, Medical-Surgical Specialization, Ophthalmology. See the link below this section.
- It is very important to keep in mind that you must perform two independent processes.
- Registration for the UNAB selection process to take the ophthalmology residency entrance exam. See the link below this section.
- Participating in and passing the International Ophthalmology Course (FOSCAL), which takes place annually during the last two weeks of January, is essential for evaluating your resume. Register online. www.cursooftalmologiafoscal.com.co
- To apply, you must have a validated medical degree in Colombia, have completed one year of community service or rural service, and have a professional card from your country. See the link below this section.
Fellowship Program
The Santander Ophthalmology Foundation-Ardila Lulle Clinic (FOSCAL) offers Fellowship programs in various ophthalmology supra-specialties.
Below is the contact information for the specialist in charge of each of these programs:
- Fellowship in Pediatric Ophthalmology: (duration: 1 year) - Dr. Juan Carlos Serrano.
- Fellowship in Retina and Vitreous: (duration: 2 years) - Dr. Juan David Arias, Dr. Clara Varón and Dr. Eduardo Villarreal.
- Fellowship in Glaucoma: (duration: 1 year) - Dr. Juan Camilo Parra.
- Fellowship in Oculoplastics: (duration: 1 year) - Dr. Alberto Díaz.
- Fellowship in Neuro-ophthalmology (1 year duration) - Dr. Pedro L. Cárdenas.
The other fellowship programs are managed by other specialists. If you are interested in any of them, please send a communication to the email address oftalmofos@gmail.com
Cornea, Anterior Segment and Refractive Surgery Fellowship
The Fellowship in Cornea, Anterior Segment and Refractive Surgery, developed at the Virgilio Galvis Ophthalmology Center, is a one-year, full-time, exclusive program.
The minimum requirements are:
- Be an ophthalmologist who has graduated from a formally recognized school in Colombia or abroad.
- Have health services in Colombia (be contributing to a Colombian EPS).
- Have civil liability insurance.
- We prefer that candidates have completed and passed the International Ophthalmology Course, which we hold each year in the last two weeks of January.
- In general, we prefer that the candidate complete a two-week internship at the Institution.
During this time, the fellow will perform consultation and surgical activities with supervision (mainly phacoemulsification, LASIK and PRK, as well as some keratoplasty cases).
This program must be self-funded by the applicant, as the fellow does not receive any income during that year. The registration fee for this fellowship will be approximately twelve million pesos ($12,000,000) upon entry (January 2021), which will also cover the applicant's social security and lunch costs.
To access this program, you must be an ophthalmologist with a medical degree and an ophthalmology specialist certificate validated in the Republic of Colombia by the Ministry of National Education, and hold the Colombian Professional Card as a physician and as an ophthalmology specialist.
If you graduated from general medicine or ophthalmology abroad, you will need a resolution certifying both degrees and a professional card as a physician and as a specialist (see other attached document regarding requirements and procedures).
It is very important to have basic training in phacoemulsification and to have performed at least twenty cases.
On Friday, January 31, 2020, immediately after the FOSCAL International Ophthalmology Course, an academic event that we hold every year, interviews will be held for candidates who meet the requirements to apply. to two fellowship places: one for enter in January 2021 and the other in June 2021.
Participating and passing the FOSCAL International Ophthalmology Course, an activity that takes place the last two weeks of January each year, is very important in the evaluation of the CV (curriculum vitae) (the grade of the exam taken at the end of the FOSCAL International Ophthalmology Course will be taken into account).
If you have already taken it before and performed satisfactorily on the exam, it is not essential to repeat it.
Three pre-selected candidates will be chosen from among the candidates and will rotate with us for two weeks to a month, and then two of them will be selected to enter the program.
