Joaquín Rocamora Award 2025: A Tribute to Dr. Rafael Bernabeu for a Lifetime of Work, Dedication and Service to Society
November, 24th 2025
Last Friday, November 21, in an event filled with emotion and recognition, the 2025 Joaquín Rocamora Business Award was presented to Dr. Rafael Bernabeu. This distinction honors his pioneering and exemplary career in reproductive medicine, as well as his human commitment and the creation of the medical-business model he inspired.
The jury of this third edition unanimously selected Dr. Bernabeu as “the person who embodies the humanistic ideals of the Joaquín Rocamora Award,” recognizing him as an entrepreneur who places passion and people—patients, employees, and society—at the center, establishing an ethical framework above economic results and demonstrating that when things are done well, success naturally follows.
Documentary “Rafael Bernabeu, A Matter of Life”
The event was charged with emotion, but undoubtedly the most special moment was the screening of the documentary directed by Toni Cabot, director of Diario Información, titled “Rafael Bernabeu, cuestión de vida.” This audiovisual tribute revisits his life, professional milestones, and meaningful anecdotes that highlight the extraordinary person behind the doctor who helped bring more than 30,000 new lives into the world. The story is told through the voices of his daughters Andrea and Sómnica Bernabeu; his friends Bernardino Salinas and Domingo Orozco; Alicante businessman José Juan Fornés; and the first child conceived through In Vitro Fertilization under his care, Rafael David Martínez, together with his mother, Manoli Moreno.
Supported by Leading Authorities
Entrepreneurs, institutional representatives, and civil society figures accompanied the family of the honoree, highlighting with their presence the profound impact of Dr. Bernabeu’s contributions to our society.
The award sponsors were well represented:
From Banco Sabadell, territorial director Fernando Canós and regional director Ana Ponsoda.
From Diario Información and Prensa Ibérica—aside from Toni Cabot, who hosted the event—Juan Ramón Gil, Ángel Angulo and Andrés Sánchez, among others.
INECA was represented by its president Ignacio Amirola, its vice-president Miguel Quintanilla, Idex director and secretary Alfredo Millá, Sonneil director, and many board members, including Juan Alcaraz (Aligrup), Luís Navarro (GET), Antonio Fernández (CEO of Maysa and president of Fundeun), Pedro Menarguez, Andrés Sánchez and Armando Ortuño.
Also in attendance were past award recipients José Juan Fornés—personal friend of Dr. Bernabeu and general director of Masymas, winner of the first edition—and Benidorm businessman Toni Mayor, winner of the second edition.
Business associations of the province were represented by Cesar Quintanilla, president of CEV Alicante and UEPAL; Mayte García, secretary-general of HOSBEC; Pedro Soliveres of PROVIA alongside secretary-general Jesualdo Ros; and Alfonso Calero as president of JOVEMPA. The Advanced Tertiary Association attended through Mariano Torres, and AEPA (Association of Businesswomen and Professionals) through its president Marcela Fernández and treasurer Maribel Martínez. Also present were Maite Antón, president of AEFA, and Rosa Vinal of the Public Works Federation (FOPA).
Entrepreneurs from multiple sectors participated, among them Antonio Arias (Grupo Vectalía), Laura Ortiz (Grupo Cívica), and Vicente Berbegal (Grupo Actiu). From the consulting sector: Miguel Ángel Paredes (KPMG) and Beatriz Martín (Deloitte). From construction: Francisco Murcia Puchades (CEO of the Murcia group), Rafael Martínez Berna (CHM Construction), Asun and Cristina Soro (Bonmatí), and Eduardo López (TerraPilar).
Also present were Tonda Chocolates of La Vila Joiosa represented by Agustín and María Llorca, and Ángel Pineda with his wife Olga from Orizon—a startup supported in its early days by Dr. Bernabeu.
Institutional representatives of the province included Luis Rodríguez (Port Authority), Fermín Crespo (Society for Digital Transformation), and José Antonio Belso (SUMA).
From the University of Alicante (UA), Professor José Luis Girela attended, and from the Miguel Hernández University (UMH): José María Gómez Gras, Concepción Carratalá, and Domingo Orozco—Vice-Rector for Planning and Social Responsibility and childhood friend of Dr. Bernabeu.
Political representatives included the Valencian Regional Minister of Innovation, Industry, Trade and Consumer Affairs Marián Cano; President of the Alicante Provincial Council, Toni Pérez; and the mayor of Alicante, Luis Barcala. Also attending were Nando Pastor, spokesperson for the Popular Party in the Valencian Parliament; José Antonio Bermejo, councillor in Mutxamel and Provincial Deputy for Social Welfare; and María José Tudela, socialist councillor.
Representing the Vila Joiosa council were mayor Marcos Zaragoza along with councillors Peyo Lloret, Pedro Ramis, Ana Alcázar and Carlos Soler, as well as opposition councillors Isabel Perona and Pedro Alemany.
The Rocamora family attended in full:
His wife, Fina Cañizares, daughters María José and Rosa Rocamora, their spouses and grandchildren, all honoring the memory of Joaquín Rocamora.
A Ceremony That Made History and Justice
The Joaquín Rocamora Award ceremony, granted by INECA (Economic Studies Institute of the Province of Alicante) and Diario Información, is held each edition in an emblematic venue of the province.
The Casa Museo La Barbera dels Aragonés in Villajoyosa was the setting chosen for this third edition.
INECA president Ignacio Amirola remarked that “it is an immense honor to recognize today the career of Rafael Bernabeu, whose legacy as a scientist, doctor and entrepreneur has been crucial in positioning this province as an international reference.”
He highlighted that despite having opportunities elsewhere, “he chose to bet on Alicante, and with great effort and against many odds, became a world reference in his field, elevating his team and his city.”
Toni Pérez, president of the Alicante Provincial Council, recalled that “Dr. Rafael Bernabeu was, above all, a pioneer. His work in gynecology and reproductive medicine set a model of excellence.” He emphasized that all the people of Alicante “should feel proud of Dr. Bernabeu.”
Banco Sabadell’s territorial director, Fernando Canós, highlighted:
“Accompanying the recognition of Rafael Bernabeu is supporting a model where the value of people and solidarity prevails over results. His business example shows that ethics and management can go hand in hand.”
He also shared warm words for the family, adding that they are “his greatest legacy.”
María José Rocamora stressed “the unwavering vocation to contribute to the Province of Alicante” shared by all recipients of the award bearing her father’s name, united by strong humanistic values—José Juan Fornés, Toni Mayor and Rafael Bernabeu.
She emphasized how this tribute reaffirms Dr. Bernabeu’s place in the history of Alicante, medicine, and socially responsible enterprise, illustrating how professional excellence can coexist with human values—and how this recognition can inspire an entire community.
The Mayor of Alicante Announced That a Public Space Will Bear His Name
Alicante mayor Luis Barcala described Dr. Bernabeu as “a special, unique person—an extraordinarily humble and discreet genius.” He recalled moments they shared and noted that both were shaped by Jesuit education and its values.
He also highlighted that “his human and scientific legacy inspires our city; therefore, we commit to naming an emblematic public space in Alicante after him, so future generations will remember him with pride.”
He announced that the city council has already begun the administrative process to permanently honor one of the most significant scientists, doctors and entrepreneurs in the history of Alicante.
The family expressed their gratitude, stating that ensuring future generations draw inspiration from exemplary citizens like Dr. Bernabeu is “a guarantee of positive growth for our society.”
A Shared Award
The Bernabeu family expressed heartfelt thanks to the Rocamora family, emphasizing the bond between two lineages united by the same ethic: the dignity of work and generosity in service to others.
They also acknowledged Fernando Canós, Banco Sabadell, the INECA partners, and the Información team, not only for the documentary—“a piece that forever captures the heartbeat of the doctor”—but also for their journalistic dedication in documenting the rise of reproductive medicine in Spain alongside one of its leading figures.
In a moving moment, his daughters recalled that “he will always live on in us, his family, but also in the brothers he chose: Pascual, Dino, Conchi, Domingo… in a prolific generation of scientists who continue his legacy, and in the more than 30,000 families he helped create. Therefore, we accept this award on behalf of all of them.”
Andrea and Sómnica Bernabeu received the award from Fina Cañizares (wife of Joaquín Rocamora) and Rafael David Martínez and Manoli Fonseret, the first family brought into the world through In Vitro Fertilization under Dr. Bernabeu’s care.
They were joined onstage by Industry Minister Marián Cano, the president of the Provincial Council Toni Pérez, the mayors of Alicante and Villajoyosa—Luis Barcala and Marcos Zaragoza—and Diario Información director Toni Cabot.
Life and Work of a Pioneer
A tireless worker, lover of art and knowledge, Dr. Rafael Bernabeu was born in Alicante and is considered one of the pioneers of assisted reproduction in Spain. From humble beginnings, through sheer effort and dedication, he helped write many of the foundational chapters of reproductive medicine in Spain and led the international expansion of his clinical center, Instituto Bernabeu.
His career was built upon values of hard work, autonomy and service, which enabled him to develop groundbreaking research programs and pursue extensive philanthropic work through the foundation that bears his name.
His achievements have earned him the top awards of leading medical societies, and now this business distinction joins that legacy.
MEDIA:
https://www.informacion.es/economia/2025/11/21/nacho-amirola-ineca-habiendolo-tenido-123972034.html