Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Celia McIntosh. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Celia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.
The defining moment in my professional career occurred in 2014 when I attended a Rochester Regional Coalition Against Human Trafficking (RRCAHT) Awareness Event at Rochester General Hospital. It was at this event that I first learned about the horrific crime of human trafficking. The information and experiences shared deeply impacted me, shifting my career trajectory and igniting a passion for combating human trafficking.
Before this pivotal moment, I had already achieved significant milestones in my career. I earned my Master’s degree in Nursing and Doctorate of Nursing Practice degrees, worked as a nurse for various organizations, and served as a Family Nurse Practitioner in the Department of Neuroscience within the Rochester Regional Health System. My professional journey was well-established, but the RRCAHT event introduced me to a new realm of advocacy and community service that resonated deeply with my values and professional skills.
The awareness event served as an eye-opener, revealing the extent of human trafficking and the dire need for informed medical professionals who could identify and assist trafficking victims. Realizing the crucial role that healthcare providers could play in addressing this issue, I felt compelled to act. This newfound awareness led me to join the Rochester Regional Coalition Against Human Trafficking (RRCAHT) later that year.
My commitment and dedication to this cause quickly became evident. By 2016, I had become the President of RRCAHT, and I used my leadership position to propel the Coalition forward within the Greater Rochester community. Under my guidance, the Coalition launched the “Yes, Here” campaign and organized the Inaugural Human Trafficking and Social Justice Conference, both aimed at raising awareness and educating the public about human trafficking.
My professional nursing training and passion for advocacy merged seamlessly as I developed educational programs specifically for healthcare professionals. Understanding the critical need for medical personnel to recognize signs of trafficking, I have provided education to thousands of medical professionals, equipping them with the knowledge and tools to identify and help trafficking victims.
My story teaches several valuable lessons:
Awareness Can Spark Change: Sometimes, becoming aware of an issue can profoundly alter your professional path. For me, learning about human trafficking was a catalyst that transformed my career focus.
Leverage Your Expertise for Advocacy: I combined my medical expertise with my passion for social justice to make a significant impact. This illustrates the power of leveraging professional skills to address societal issues.
Leadership in Action: Taking on leadership roles can amplify your impact. As President of RRCAHT, I was able to implement wide-reaching initiatives and campaigns that raised awareness and educated many people.
Education as a Tool for Change: Providing education and training to others can create a ripple effect, empowering more people to contribute to the cause. My efforts in educating healthcare professionals highlight the importance of knowledge dissemination in combating complex issues like human trafficking.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I am Dr. Celia McIntosh, a Psychiatric Mental Health and Family Health Nurse Practitioner with a deep commitment to clinical excellence and community advocacy. My journey into healthcare began with a desire to make a tangible difference in people’s lives, and over the years, I have honed my skills and expanded my focus to include both mental and physical health. Working in the Neuroscience Department, I have earned certifications in stroke and neuroscience nursing, and I have developed protocols to better recognize and treat depression in stroke patients.
In addition to my clinical and advocacy work, I founded McIntosh Advocacy and Consulting to address a broader range of issues. While my initial focus was on raising awareness about human trafficking, I soon recognized the need to improve healthcare organizational efficiency and workplace culture. My consulting services aim to help organizations streamline their operations and foster a healthier work environment. For individual employees, I provide guidance on navigating toxic, exploitative, and abusive workplaces, empowering them to better self-regulate and become strong self-advocates.
What sets me apart is my holistic approach to healthcare and advocacy, blending extensive medical training with a deep commitment to social justice and a personal investment in my clients’ transformation and potential for a better work life. I am driven by my lived experiences of discrimination and bullying at work, which have equipped me with the resilience and insight to navigate these challenges and help others do the same.
I am particularly proud of the recognition I have received for my efforts, including the 2022 Dr. Constantino Fernandez Community Leadership and Advocacy Award and the 2022 Fisher Nurse Impact Community Award. These honors underscore my commitment to making a positive impact both within and beyond the healthcare sector.
For potential clients, followers, and collaborators, I want you to know that my work is driven by a passion for creating meaningful change. Whether through improving patient care protocols, advocating for social justice, or helping organizations and individuals thrive, my goal is to make a lasting difference. My business is built on the principles of compassion, efficiency, and empowerment, and I am here to support you in achieving your best possible outcomes.
Problems I Solve for Clients
The primary issues I address through my work are the lack of awareness and education regarding human trafficking within the healthcare sector and the pervasive problem of workplace toxicity. Human trafficking is deeply exploitative, often trapping victims in cycles of abuse and fear. Similarly, toxic workplace cultures can be exploitative, creating environments where individuals feel undervalued, threatened, and powerless. Many healthcare professionals are not trained to recognize the signs of trafficking, which means victims often go unnoticed and without the help they desperately need. Additionally, I help organizations create healthier work environments and support individuals who face toxic cultures.
What Sets Me Apart
What sets me apart is the unique combination of my medical expertise and my commitment to social justice. My background in nursing, coupled with my leadership role in RRCAHT and my consulting practice, allows me to approach issues from both a clinical and an advocacy standpoint. This dual perspective enables me to create comprehensive educational programs and consulting services that are both practical and impactful.
What I Am Most Proud Of
I am most proud of the tangible impact our work has had on the community. Seeing healthcare professionals become more knowledgeable and proactive in identifying and helping trafficking victims is incredibly rewarding. Additionally, helping organizations transform their cultures and seeing individuals thrive in healthier work environments brings me immense satisfaction.
Key Takeaways for Potential Clients and Followers
I want potential clients and followers to know that I am deeply committed to raising awareness about human trafficking and empowering healthcare professionals to make a difference. With extensive experience in both nursing and advocacy, I bring a unique and informed perspective to my work. Our educational programs are designed to be practical, informative, and impactful, providing healthcare professionals with the tools they need to identify and support trafficking victims.
Through McIntosh Advocacy and Consulting, I also help organizations address workplace toxicity and support individuals in navigating challenging work environments. I want potential clients to know they are not alone and that I bring lived experience to this work. I am invested in their transformation because I have been where they are and have developed tools to help navigate these toxic issues.
Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?
In my journey as a small business owner and nurse, I’ve learned that training and knowledge are not enough to achieve your defined level of success. While these are foundational, other factors like passion, dedication, consistency, and having a positive mindset have shaped my career and advocacy work.
Passion has always been at the core of my work. Since I entered the profession, my desire to help others and make a positive impact has been my driving force. This passion motivates me to face challenges head-on and strive for excellence in every aspect of my practice. It fuels my commitment to going above and beyond for my patients and clients, ensuring they receive the best care and support possible.
Alongside passion, dedication has been a cornerstone of my journey. Dedication means more than just showing up; it means consistently putting in the effort, staying focused on my goals, and persevering through obstacles. This commitment has allowed me to develop the expertise and trust necessary to make a meaningful impact in clinical settings and community advocacy.
Consistency is another critical factor. In healthcare and advocacy, building trust and reliability is paramount. By consistently providing high-quality care and support, I’ve established myself as a dependable professional. This consistency has helped me forge strong relationships with patients, clients, and colleagues and solidified my community reputation.
Maintaining a positive mindset has been vital, especially when navigating my work’s often challenging and emotionally taxing nature. A positive outlook helps me stay focused on solutions rather than problems.
Finally, a willingness and a hunger to learn has been essential. The healthcare field is always evolving. Being open to feedback, seeking new knowledge, and embracing innovation will keep your practice effective and relevant.
Incorporating passion, dedication, consistency, a positive mindset, and a willingness to learn has hugely influenced my professional life.
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
First, foster open communication. Encourage team members to express their thoughts, concerns, and ideas through regular check-ins, ensuring everyone feels heard and valued.
Second, lead with empathy and respect. Listen to your team, acknowledge their efforts, validate their input and concerns, and celebrate their achievements to create a supportive and inclusive atmosphere.
Third, please address toxic behavior as soon as possible. Organizations should adopt a zero-tolerance policy. Tackle unhealthy behavior and conflicts immediately and fairly, with clear policies against harassment and discrimination and procedures for reporting and resolving issues.
Fourth, invest in your team’s growth by offering training and development opportunities, encouraging continuous learning, and supporting their career advancement.
Finally, model positive behavior and promote work-life balance. Lead by example with resilience and integrity, respect personal time and boundaries, offer flexible schedules, don’t micromanage, trust your employees to do their jobs, and advocate for manageable workloads.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mcintoshadvocacy/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/celia-mcintosh-419b0580/