The National Qigong Association (NQA) is proud to announce that Ellen Pace and Randi Williams have each been awarded a full McComiskey-Sullivan Scholarship to attend the 2026 NQA Annual Conference in Denver, Colorado.

The McComiskey-Sullivan Scholarship was established to help dedicated Qigong practitioners and teachers attend the NQA Annual Conference when financial circumstances might otherwise prevent them from participating. The scholarship recognizes individuals who demonstrate a deep commitment to Qigong and a desire to bring its benefits to others.

Ellen Pace

Ellen was selected for her outstanding commitment to serving her local community through Qigong. She provides free Qigong classes for individuals undergoing cancer treatment and cancer survivors in the Kansas City area, as well as introductory Qigong programs through the Mid-Continent Public Library system.

Her work focuses on creating welcoming spaces for people living with chronic health conditions, limited mobility, or emotional challenges, often through one-on-one instruction or small group settings where participants can reconnect with themselves at their own pace.

By attending the conference, Ellen hopes to deepen her knowledge, build relationships within the broader Qigong community, and strengthen the inclusive programs she offers to those she serves.

Randi Williams

Randi's application reflected both resilience and an unwavering passion for sharing Qigong with others. Nearly ten years ago, she discovered Qigong while searching for ways to navigate her mother's dementia diagnosis and maintain her own well-being. Since then, Qigong has become central to both her personal life and professional work.

Today, Randi shares Qigong with a wide range of communities, including youth experiencing mental health and behavioral challenges, older adults, and individuals navigating grief. Following the tragic loss of her daughter's best friend, she found strength through Qigong and went on to become a certified Grief Educator and Grief Movement Guide, thoughtfully integrating Qigong principles into her grief support programs.

She views herself as both a teacher and a lifelong student of Qigong and hopes the conference will provide new techniques, fresh inspiration, and meaningful connections that she can bring back to the communities she serves.

Congratulations!

The National Qigong Association congratulates Ellen Pace and Randi Williams on this well-deserved recognition. Their dedication to making Qigong accessible, compassionate, and community-centered reflects the spirit of the McComiskey-Sullivan Scholarship.

We look forward to welcoming Ellen and Randi to Denver for the 2026 NQA Annual Conference.

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