The Norma Rudy Award Recipients
The recipient of the 2008 Norma Rudy Award is Angelo Pesce.
Angelo has supported OANHSS for many years on various human resources issues. He has taken a significant leadership role in identifying HR issues and solutions in the long term care sector, often attending senior government meetings on behalf of the Association.
Most recently, he assisted in the preparation of the Association’s successful application for a Health Human Resources Demo Project, an initiative that is focused on developing nursing leadership and skills for nurses in long term care homes in Ontario.
In addition, Angelo represented OANHSS at a forum for the developmental services sector on human resources, which was organized by the Ministry of Community and Social Services where he provided an overview of the HR situation in long term care.
Angelo has worked tirelessly behind the scenes by providing on-going advice to OANHSS in key human resource areas. This has involved support to staff and participation on numerous member HR advisory committees. His advice enabled OANHSS to develop a successful funding request for examining the feasibility for an Association HR program.
Angelo is a human resources professional committed to the value of the not-for-profit sector and to supporting employees in the broader long term care sector. He has always recognized the value and importance of OANHSS’ role in delivering high quality and relevant education for members, and is a course instructor in human resources with the OANHSS Administrator Certification Program.
In addition to operating his consulting firm, Angelo has assumed a governance role in two long term care organizations. He is on the board of directors at Villa Columbo, an OANHSS member home, and at the Bernard Betel Centre for Creative Living.
In his previous role as vice president of Human Resources at Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care, Angelo was responsible for the full range of human resources activities and ensured that training and development programs met the needs of employees who were providing care and services to seniors.
Angelo, you truly exemplify the spirit of volunteerism that this award was designed to recognize. On behalf of all members, thank you for your dedication and commitment to the sector and to OANHSS.
The recipient of the 2007 Norma Rudy Award is Paul O’Krafka, C.E.O. of St. Joseph’s Villa in Dundas.
Paul is likely well known to many of you. He has been an active member and passionate supporter of OANHSS for over 25 years.
During this time Paul has had very visible and high profile roles as president of the Association in 1991-1992 and as a member of the board, both in the mid-90s and currently as the Region 2 representative. In 1995, Paul was the recipient of the Association’s Leadership Award.
He has also worked tirelessly behind on the scenes on a multitude of committees – executive committee, nominating committee, education committee, charitable advisory committee, personnel committee, member liaison committee to name a few – willingly lending his time, knowledge and expertise to the work of the Association.
He has always recognized the value and importance of OANHSS’s role in delivering high quality and relevant education for members. He has helped to build successful events and programs as convention chair and an advisor on educational events and has contributed as a presenter on many occasions including the last two years at the OANHSS Administrator Certification Program.
Paul also stands out for his efforts and contributions at the regional level, both in his current role as chair and as an active member who has helped to build a strong, cohesive and progressive group that derives great value from connecting locally with other OANHSS members.
Paul has been an extremely valuable resource for OANHSS staff in our external work on committees and task forces, always ready and willing to contribute countless volunteer hours to attend meetings and represent our issues with government, media and other stakeholders. Paul is a true example of a member who believes in the value and importance of advancing the sector as a whole and doing his part to make sure the not-for-profit perspective is put forward.
Outside of OANHSS, Paul has committed his time to various other sector-related professional organizations over the years including serving as chair of the Wellington County Placement Coordination Services and as a member of the Canadian College of Health Services Executives, the Hamilton Hospice Palliative Care Network, the Community Care Advisory Committee and the LHIN Aspirations Advisory Committee.
Paul, you truly exemplify the spirit of volunteerism that this award was designed to recognize. On behalf of all members, thank you for your dedication and commitment to the sector and to OANHSS.
Lawrence Grant & Reg Paul - 2005
This year, we had a unique situation with two winners of the 2005 Norma Rudy Award – Reg Paul, Director of Administration and Support for the City of Toronto Homes for the Aged Division and Lawrence Grant, Director of Finance and Human Resources at St. Patrick’s Home in Ottawa. Both are honoured for their longstanding commitment to addressing funding issues in the long term care homes sector.
Both Reg and Lawrence have been sharing their funding knowledge and expertise with the Association and fellow members for many years. Both have made many contributions to the OANHSS Finance Committee and through leadership on various ad hoc task forces. Their efforts on behalf of the Association and the membership serve as a role model for all members.
In 2004, our Association achieved a tremendous win for members on our single biggest issue – facility funding equalization. After years of raising the need we influenced government to take concrete steps to equalize funding between homes for the aged and nursing homes. The financial gain for our sector was substantial – the average per diem increase for member homes was over $5.50.
This would not have happened without the efforts of Reg and Lawrence. They identified this inequity as far back as 1997 when they developed the OANHSS position paper on price differentials and continued to raise the need to address it at every opportunity, first with members and then with government. They provided the analysis, attended countless meetings and lent their expertise to our proposals and submissions. This issue became a major focus of the Association’s advocacy efforts over the next few years and both individuals were steadfastly committed to assisting us in pressing government for action. Their efforts improved the system for all providers.
Reg and Lawrence truly exemplify the spirit of volunteerism that this award was designed to recognize. The additional funding that flowed to homes has impacted significantly on the ability of many members to increase and enhance their services to residents.
It is clear why they are both so deserving of this award – on behalf of all members, thank you for your dedication and commitment to not-for-profit long term care and to OANHSS.
Bev’s dedication to the sector and her unwavering support
of OANHSS make her a very worthy recipient of this award.
Since her term as President, in 1997-1998, Bev has been a
true ambassador for OANHSS. She is extremely dedicated and committed to the
Association, speaking out on behalf of members and the work we do whenever asked
or whenever the opportunity arises. She truly understands and believes in the
unique contribution that not-for-profits make to the province’s long term care
system, and staunchly supports the continued growth and viability of our sector.
Bev served 2 three-year terms on the OANHSS Board of
Directors and has represented the Association and championed our cause on a
number of major committees including the Long Term Care/Mental Health Steering
Committee, programs standards and the Ministry of Health/OANHSS liaison
committee.
While employed with the John Noble Home and Idlewyld Manor,
Bev took a very active role in the activities of Region 2, including chairing
the administrative section. When her employment took her to Saint Luke’s
Place, she immediately became involved with Region 3 and eventually became
chair.
During her career, Bev has made significant contributions
to seniors in Ontario, particularly in her own community. She helped establish
the Alzheimer Society in Brantford, developed a successful proposal for an
alzheimer day centre, was a member of the Brant District Health Council for
three years and advocated for seniors issues and established the placement
co-ordination service for Brant County.
It is clear, Bev, why you are so deserving of this award
– on behalf of all members, thank you for your strong voice for not-for-profit
long term care and your dedication to OANHSS.
Frances stands out as a member who is always willing to
lend support, advice and assistance to colleagues. She understands the value of
a strong and active regional structure and the importance of collaboration to
advance the long term care sector. Her contributions as regional chair helped
establish Region 7 as a cohesive and progressive group.
Over the past 18 years, Frances has been actively involved with OANHSS
provincially, most notably as Chair of the Association’s Education Committee,
which had carried the responsibility of planning the annual Convention.
Frances is well respected among her peers for her resident
focus and her promotion of a people-oriented approach to care. Thank you Frances
for demonstrating through your hard work and dedication, your support for
OANHSS, and for your contributions to improving services for seniors in Ontario.
Bernita
Borgh - 2002
Thompson
House
Bernita has been a tireless supporter of OANHSS and the not-for-profit long term care sector for many years. She has been an extremely valuable resource for OANHSS staff - always ready and willing to contribute countless volunteer hours to participate in committees, attend meetings, and represent our issues with government – doing whatever has been needed. This is no small feat when you consider how busy we all are running our own organizations – Bernita is a true example of a member who believes in the value and importance of advancing the sector as a whole and doing her part to make sure the not-for-profit perspective is put forward.
Most
recently, Bernita has been involved as Chair of Region 5, has represented OANHSS
on consultations related to initiatives of the Provincial Nursing Task Force,
Alzheimer Initiative, facility placement issues, and the review of CCACs. Thank
Bernita for your strong voice for the charitable sector and your support for
OANHSS.
Milton
is best known to members as one of the originators of the Association’s
extremely successful Administrator Certification Program.
He has been involved with the program since its inception
as a member of the planning committee, as the program facilitator, as a
presenter, and most notably as a “champion” of this program which was the
first of its kind in Canada.
Over
the years, Milton’s work and volunteer efforts on behalf of the Association
have extended beyond the certification program and have included facilitating
board retreats, leading educational sessions and lending support to the staff of
member organizations. He has a special interest in and knowledge of long term
care and all those who come in contact with him appreciate and remark on his
enthusiasm and truly upbeat manner. Through his participation as a committee
member, his contribution of many volunteer hours, and his role as an advisor,
Milton has clearly demonstrated his support for OANHSS and both directly and
indirectly contributed to the improvement of services for seniors.
Mike
Kennedy - 1999
Dawson
Court
Mike Kennedy has participated actively in the Association for over ten years. His internal representation ranged from serving on committees such as Finance, Information Services and Health & Safety, to sitting on the Board of Directors. Externally, Mike committed his time and expertise to representing OANHSS on the health sector’s health and safety association for many years. Most recently, Mike coordinated the Association’s intervener status on the WSIB’s Schedule 1 and 2 issue to ensure the process was appropriate for OANHSS as a whole. Through his dedication and commitment, Mike truly helped to lead the long term care sector out of years of high claims experiences and escalating WCB rates.
List of Previous Winners (1995-1997)
Questions?
For more information on the OANHSS Awards Program, contact
Sharon
Clark-Koufis at 905-851-8821 ext 237.
|
Ontario Association of Non-Profit Homes & Services for Seniors
7050 Weston Road, Suite 700, Woodbridge, Ontario L4L 8G7
(P) 905-851-8821
(F) 905-851-0744
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© Copyright 2008 OANHSS
OANHSS members include not-for-profit providers of long term care, services and
housing for seniors in Ontario.
Members include municipal and charitable long term care homes, non-profit
nursing homes,
seniors' housing projects and community
service agencies.
