From Latin America to the Global Top: The Hospital Internacional de Colombia and its CEO among the best according to Newsweek

• The Hospital Internacional de Colombia (HIC), part of the FCV medical complex and led by Dr. Víctor Raúl Castillo, has evolved over more than three decades from a project that initially faced skepticism and challenges to become a benchmark for high-complexity care in Latin America.
• The inclusion of Dr. Castillo in Newsweek's list of the world's best hospital CEOs highlights HIC's global impact and reinforces the institution's vision of continuing its expansion and reaching international standards of health leadership by 2030.
• The HIC has been certified with multiple centers of excellence by the Joint Commission International (JCI), in areas such as cardiology and neurology. Thanks to the incorporation of cutting-edge technology, the hospital offers advanced and specialized services, solidifying itself as an international reference center in medical care.

Bucaramanga, Colombia, October 2024. U.S. magazine Newsweek has included Dr. Víctor Raúl Castillo Mantilla, President and CEO of the Hospital Internacional de Colombia – FCV, in its list of the world's best hospital CEOs. This recognition highlights his influence in the global health field, demonstrating that, despite the challenges faced by health systems in Latin America, it is possible to achieve world-class standards of excellence.

This dream began over three decades ago with the creation of FCV, the health ecosystem to which the Hospital Internacional de Colombia belongs, now with two locations: one dedicated exclusively to heart care and another that brings together more than 60 specialties.

Dr. Castillo recalls the project's beginnings as an idea that initially seemed unrealizable. "In 1986, when we created the FCV, it was seen as something absurd and unnecessary. There was very little credibility in the region," the CEO explains. However, thanks to the commitment and perseverance of a dedicated team, the organization managed to exceed all expectations and has become one of the most relevant healthcare institutions in Latin America.

From its origin, the organization has worked to elevate the standards of medical care. "Our vision has always been to change the history of local healthcare, moving from basic medicine to one aligned with the best international standards," notes Dr. Víctor Castillo.

Under his leadership, the Hospital Internacional de Colombia became, in 2009, the first institution in the country to obtain Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation, a global recognition for its commitment to continuous improvement in the quality and safety of health care. Additionally, several of its programs have been distinguished as centers of excellence, with results comparable to those of the world's best hospitals.

In addition to focusing on the quality of services and humanized care, the HIC has aimed to be a digital and smart hospital. Thanks to this, it is the only hospital in Colombia with EMRAM 7 certification, the highest standard in digital health worldwide. This implies a series of benefits for patients, such as having a fully electronic medical record integrated in real time with the information from the various services involved in their care.

International recognition: A milestone for Latin America

The inclusion of Dr. Víctor Raúl Castillo in the list of the world's best hospital CEOs represents a significant achievement for Colombia and Latin America. Despite challenges in the region, such as inequality in access to healthcare services, inadequate infrastructure, and budgetary limitations, the Hospital Internacional de Colombia has managed to overcome these barriers.

"The process of establishing the HIC has been invaluable, turning it into a structure that complies with all international norms and standards," says Dr. Castillo. He also emphasizes that the focus of the HIC is not limited to technical care but also prioritizes a comprehensive and humanized experience for patients.

"Being among the world's best hospital CEOs, alongside leaders from institutions like Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic, is a recognition of the work of each of the five thousand collaborators who make this institution extraordinary," says the HIC President. This achievement demonstrates that, from Colombia, it is possible to lead health innovation and achieve success globally

HIC's projections: Toward a future of international leadership

Dr. Castillo envisions an ambitious future for the Hospital Internacional de Colombia, centered on continuous growth and leadership in medical care. With the goal of ranking among the world's top 100 hospitals by 2030, the institution focuses on adopting emerging technologies, continuously training its medical staff, and expanding its capabilities to address complex pathologies. This objective reflects HIC's commitment to continuous improvement.

The hospital center also seeks to strengthen its global impact through the development of excellence programs, both in clinical care and research. This includes expanding its specialized services and establishing strategic alliances with other renowned organizations worldwide. "We want to continue building an institution that is aspirational for all those who need high-complexity care, regardless of where they come from," comments Dr. Castillo.