Columbia State Respiratory Care Student Receives National Scholarship
Morgan Dickey, a Columbia State Community College respiratory care student, was recently named a recipient of the 2026 H. Frederic Helmholz, Jr., MD Scholarship, a national scholarship.
The $2,500 scholarship recognizes academic excellence and achievement among students seeking careers in respiratory care.
She will be formally recognized during the National Board for Respiratory Care/Lambda Beta Reception on November 15.
As a 2026 scholarship recipient, Dickey also receives an included registration to attend the American Association for Respiratory Care International Congress in New Orleans.
Dickey, a Mt. Pleasant resident, is the first Columbia State respiratory care student to receive the award.
“I am incredibly proud of Morgan and all that she has accomplished,” said Pamela Lindemann, Columbia State respiratory care program director. “Receiving this national scholarship is a tremendous honor and reflects the hard work, dedication, and academic excellence she has demonstrated throughout the respiratory care program. To have Morgan become the first student from our program to receive this award makes this recognition even more special. She represents Columbia State and the future of respiratory care exceptionally well.”
The national scholarship is awarded by the Lambda Beta Society and is open to students enrolled in Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care-accredited programs. Recipients are chosen based on the merit of an independent, original narrative review of literature related to the practice of respiratory care.
This recognition highlights both Dickey’s academic achievement and the national standing of Columbia State’s Respiratory Care program.
“Respiratory Care students at Columbia State receive an excellent education and go straight into the workforce as critical members of the healthcare team,” said Dr. Kae Fleming, dean of the Health Sciences Division and professor of radiologic technology. “Morgan being recognized nationally reaffirms the valuable options conveniently available to future healthcare professionals.”
