Trent University Board of Governors chair Debra Cooper Burger has been honoured with the 2024 Norma Rudy Award from AdvantAge Ontario, recognizing her contributions to the association and its members across the not-for-profit senior care sector.

“As a healthcare professional and nurse by trade, Norma Rudy's legacy of compassion and dedication to senior and long-term care is inspiring. To be recognized in her honour is truly humbling,” said Cooper Burger. “I reflect fondly on my time with AdvantAge Ontario and am proud to have been part of a team that supported many projects and initiatives that advanced senior care services in this province.”

Founded in 1995, the Norma Rudy Award celebrates individuals who have made a difference in not-for-profit senior care. The award’s namesake was a teacher by trade and author by passion, a long-term care home operator, and volunteer at AdvantAge Ontario for more than 25 years.

Cooper Burger was presented with the award at the AdvantAge Ontario convention in Toronto.

"Debra has been a long-time, active leader within the association and a valued member of our Board of Directors, including serving as chair,” said Lisa Levin, chief executive officer of AdvantAge Ontario. “She has generously shared both her time and expertise over many years to support members. Most recently, she has worked diligently to enhance our educational offerings, particularly our Administrator Leadership Program and board governance program. We are grateful to Debra for sharing her talents with us, and we are proud to recognize her with the Norma Rudy Award for her commitment and many years of volunteer service.” 

Beginning in 2012 and throughout her tenure with AdvantAge Ontario, Cooper Burger leveraged her expertise and strengths around not-for-profit operations, governance, human resources, and policy – specialties of her consulting company Cooper Burger Consulting – to provide education and guidance, including as a long-term member of the association’s education advisory group. She also served on AdvantAge Ontario’s Board of Directors from 2012 to 2018, including a two-year term as chair from 2015 to 2017, helping the organization navigate through a time of significant change, including transition to a new CEO, a shift in provincial government, and a major rebranding.

Cooper Burger started her career as a registered nurse and has gone on to a long and esteemed career as a healthcare leader. She has held leadership roles at the Peterborough County-City Health Unit, and Peterborough Community Access Centre, followed by eight years as chief executive officer at St. Joseph’s at Fleming. In addition, Cooper Burger served as chief executive officer at the Unionville Home Society in Markham, a non-profit organization that oversees care and housing for senior citizens in York Region. Her volunteer work has included roles as chair of the Board of Directors of the Markham Board of Trade, chairperson for the College Compensation and Appointment Council, and chair of the Board of Sir Sandford Fleming College of Applied Arts and Technology.

She was first appointed to Trent University’s Board of Governors in 2019 and became chair in July 2021, a position she will hold until July 1, 2024, when her term concludes.

“Debra’s tenure as chair has been characterized by strong leadership committed to financial sustainability and the University's commitment to the local community," said Dr. Leo Groarke, president and vice-chancellor of Trent. "This includes some significant initiatives related to healthy aging, including plans for a Seniors’ Village on campus, with its connections to the Centre for Aging and Society, and a 224-bed long-term care facility that will address the region’s long-term care needs and create research and learning opportunities for students."