PHOTO PROVIDED Pictured are Dr. Jan Ulbrecht, left, and Nurse Practitioner Susan Trainor, right, recipients of the 2025 Madison Award for Civility in the Community, sponsored by Constitution Day Centre Inc.

STATE COLLEGE — Susan Trainor and Jan Ulbrecht received the 2025 Madison Award for Civility in the Community, sponsored by Constitution Day Centre Inc. The award honors local individuals who have made longtime contributions to civility and community service, the hallmarks of American democracy.

Nurse Practitioner Susan Trainor and Dr. Jan Ulbrecht have made enduring positive impacts to the Centre Region and Mifflin County communities through decades of dedicated healthcare service and personal community engagement.

Since 2003, Trainor has devoted her career to improving the lives of people with diabetes. She founded Mount Nittany Health’s first accredited diabetes education program and has been a steadfast advocate for empowering patients to navigate their health care in an ever-changing and complex world. She has served the community first as a nurse educator before becoming an adult nurse practitioner, establishing a busy practice as a diabetes specialist nurse practitioner.

In addition, Trainor brings her healthcare insights to public service through her roles as an elected Councilwoman on the College Township Council and as the Chair of the Centre Region Public Safety Committee where she works to ensure that policy reflects improving the physical and mental health needs of the broader community.

Since 1986, Ulbrecht has led the Endocrinology Division at Mount Nittany Physician Group where his clinical excellence has been matched by his commitment to mentoring the next generation of medical professionals. He has trained many physician assistants, nurse practitioners and medical students in the nuanced care of Endocrinology and Diabetes.

A pioneer in diabetic foot care, Ulbrecht founded and led the Diabetic Foot Clinic at Mount Nittany Health. He also has devoted the last several years to improving the quality of care at Mount Nittany Physician Group as the Director of Outpatient Quality. In addition, he currently serves on the board of the University Area Joint Authority and the State College Police Department Community Oversight Board.

Both Trainor and Ulbrecht are passionate supporters of the YMCA of Centre County, championing the idea that strong communities are built on compassion, connection and a shared commitment to care — whether in exam rooms, council chambers or community centers. Trainor has chaired the YMCA Annual Campaign, chairs the YMCA’s State College Branch Advisory Committee and has fostered partnerships with local healthcare organizations to launch programs such as the Y’s Healthy Habits and to support the YMCA’s Open Doors program.

David Hutchinson, president of Constitution Day Centre, said “Susan Trainor and Jan Ulbrecht deserve our deep gratitude and the Madison Award for their amazing dedication and leadership in empowering and uplifting the lives of Central Pennsylvania citizens. Their decades of service in health care and public service exemplify the goals stated in the Constitution’s Preamble: justice, domestic tranquility and the blessings of liberty to form a perfect union.”

Trainor said, “My work in health care and the nonprofit world is about creating and supporting opportunities for all people to live their best lives. In my clinical work, I strive to help each person feel seen and heard and to foster and support opportunities within the system to get what they need. Health care is a fundamental human right but is not available to all people equally. The community service Jan and I do is our way to extend what we try to do in our professional work and to use what we have to best serve our community.”

Ulbrecht said, “Everything I’ve done for 40 years is motivated by a desire to make things better. For several decades, I have worked with patients throughout Centre and the surrounding counties, and more recently have found new ways working as a volunteer within local government to keep working at making things better. While Susan and I have different ways of doing things, we share the same values and hopes for our community.”

Constitution Day Centre Inc. is a local nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting learning about the U.S. Constitution and civil conversations among people of all beliefs. Activities include annual events and the Madison Award for Civility in the Community. Previous honorees are Pat Daugherty of The Tavern Restaurant (2019); Centre Volunteers in Medicine (2021); the League of Women Voters of Centre County (2022); Harold and Sherren McKenzie of Unity Church of Christ (2023); and Elaine Meder-Wilgus of Webster’s Bookstore Cafe (2024).

More information is at www.constitutiondaycentre.org or contact: info@constitutiondaycentre.org Follow Constitution Day Centre on Facebook and Instagram.