Rochester nurse practitioner, health policy strategist and anti-human trafficking advocate Celia McIntosh has been inducted as a fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (FAANP), one of the profession’s highest distinctions.
McIntosh was selected as one of only 59 nurse practitioners nationwide to join the prestigious 2026 class of fellows.
The FAANP program recognizes nurse practitioners who have made outstanding and sustained contributions to clinical practice, research, education, leadership, health policy and the advancement of the nurse practitioner profession. With this year’s class, approximately 1,000 nurse practitioners have earned the FAANP designation since the program’s inception.
Throughout her career, McIntosh has combined clinical excellence with advocacy and systems leadership. As a neuroscience nurse practitioner, she has cared for patients with complex neurological conditions while leading quality improvement initiatives and advancing interdisciplinary models of care. Beyond the bedside, she has become a recognized voice in health policy, workforce development, organizational transformation, and healthcare leadership.
According to a news release, McIntosh is also nationally recognized for her work addressing human trafficking as a public health issue. “Becoming a fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners is one of the greatest honors of my career,” said McIntosh. “This recognition represents far more than an individual achievement. It reflects the mentors who invested in me, the colleagues who have partnered with me, and the patients and communities who continue to inspire my work. I remain committed to advancing healthcare through clinical excellence, advocacy, innovative leadership, and meaningful systems change.”
McIntosh is a board-certified family nurse practitioner and psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner specializing in neuroscience, healthcare leadership, quality improvement, health policy, and organizational transformation.
She is the founder and chief executive officer of McIntosh Advocacy & Consulting, where she partners with healthcare organizations to improve operational performance, leadership development, workforce strategy, and systems integration.