Testimonials
Discover how Holly Bardutz’s Brain Health and Fitness Classes have inspired and empowered participants on their journey to better brain health. Read heartfelt testimonials from attendees who have experienced the transformative impact of these sessions, gaining valuable insights and practical tools to enhance their overall well-being.
Donna Kovatch, BAET
Dear YWCA Women of Distinction Awards Committee Members:
It is my honor to write to you today regarding Dr. Holly Bardutz and Alison Singharath.
My name is Donna Kovatch, and I am the program coordinator for Seniors’ University Group, here in Regina. It is my role to seek out and hire fellow adult educators to facilitate learning for adults, with specific focus on intellectual, social, and physical dimensions that help seniors live life to their full potential and participate fully in their lives.
It has been my pleasure to hire Dr. Bardutz and Ms. Singharath. In addition to hiring them, I was privileged to attend their class - Brain Health and Fitness. Holly and Alison are enthusiastic, motivating and inspiring leaders who are willing to share their passion for learning, health, and creating social connections with participants in a humorous, approachable, and meaningful way. Every week, each participant left the course with information and ways to make a sustainable difference in their own health outcomes. The buzz in the hallways, and certainly, the course assessments confirmed what I saw, heard, and felt in the room. Dr. Bardutz is also a mentor for doctors in training and includes them as co-facilitators in her sessions.
Both Dr. Bardutz and Ms. Singharath contribute to their practice through their own education, by teaching in the community, and via distance education options. Holly and Alison’s inclusive style and sincere approach motivates participants to gain new knowledge about their health and wellbeing, set goals for change, and leverage good habits to sustain good health. There is always a long waiting list for the next class offering.
No matter the question, or the perspective, Holly and Alison make everyone feel included and empowered.
As a fellow adult educator, I was in awe as I watched each participant connect with the information in all the dimensions. Everyone left with a smile on their face and returned with stories and ideas for better brain health, and hope that they can avoid the healthcare system by using the knowledge that they gained throughout the course.
These two lovely ladies are making a difference!
I can only imagine the caliber of all the nominees, and how hard your decisions will be. I wish you the very best as you navigate an incredible pool of choices.
Sandra Whitford
Members of the Selections Committee:
I am writing this letter in support of the nomination of Holly Bardutz and Alison Singharath for the 2025 YWCA “Enriching Education” Woman of Distinction Award.
This year I was privileged enough to take the Seniors University Group course on Brain Health and Fitness in person as well as one of their online classes. Both individuals display a great interest in research and a commitment to making a difference. Their vision of the mobilization of knowledge gained in the research process is a passion they both share. They do this with creative teaching methods, initiative, and by being role models in their fields. Their excitement and passion translates to a unique learning experience for all levels of learners both in the classroom and online.
For these reasons, I would highly recommend Holly and Alison receive the YWCA Women of Distinction award for “Enriching Education”.
Sincerely.
Colleen Murphy
Members of the Selections Committee:
I am writing this letter in support of the nomination of Holly Bardutz and Alison Singharath for the 2025 YWCA “Enriching Education” Woman of Distinction Award. I believe they would be most worthy recipients of this award as they both embody the YWCA website definition of a “woman of distinction”. They have both displayed “a commitment to making a significant difference”, “demonstrated vision, creativity and initiative”, “have achieved outstanding success in their field, broken new ground” and “are both leaders and positive role models.” This award honours women who “inspire a passion for learning and development in those around them.” They have definitely done this.
I was fortunate to have been part of Holly’s 8 week Brain Health and Fitness Course offered by the Seniors’ University Group in the fall of 2024. Alison was Holly’s assistant. I had heard that this class was amazing, and it did not disappoint! In fact, it surpassed all of my expectations. This was due in large part to the thoughtful design and inspiring presentation of the course material. “Passionate” would be one way of describing Holly’s work on this course, and I believe it made a difference in each of the participants’ lives. She was able to convey complex neurological theory and helped us to see how we could practically implement it in our own lives in order to make a positive difference. I believe the class was an outcome of Holly’s chosen area of research at the University of Regina. We are very fortunate that she has chosen to share it with the broader community in order to make a difference in people’s lives. In order to reach more people, she has adapted the course to an online model. I was able to participate in a few of those classes as well and they too were incredibly well planned and presented. Each class sees more people signing up.
I believe both Holly and Alison are genuinely interested in making a difference in people’s lives. They really care. Rather than calling us “seniors”, Holly affectionately calls us “developing adults” and she has dubbed our group her “Northern Lights”. Because of her incredible energy and positive leadership, she has been an inspiration to all attendees. Alison was a strong presence throughout. I not only learned a lot during this class, but I was more importantly inspired to continue to motivate myself to take care of my brain so it can take care of me. I believe the others in the class came away with the same thoughts. For these reasons, I would highly recommend Holly and Alison receive the YWCA Women of Distinction award for “Enriching Education”.