Matthew McLain, ACNP-BC, APRN-CNP
Matthew McLain is a board-certified nurse practitioner with a multifaceted career spanning critical care, primary care, addiction medicine, wellness, and aesthetic procedures. Educated at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, he earned both his Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing, building a strong clinical foundation grounded in evidence-based practice and critical thinking. Early in his career, McLain worked in emergency departments and high-acuity settings, where he honed his expertise in acute and critical care and developed a deep appreciation for the role of prevention in long-term health outcomes.
After years of bedside nursing, McLain transitioned toward primary care with a focus on holistic wellness and preventive medicine. Recognizing the healthcare gaps faced by rural populations, he emphasized proactive screening, patient education, and trust-building within underserved communities. In September 2020, he opened Thousand Islands Nurse Practitioners in Canton, New York, formally incorporating the practice in October 2023. The clinic integrates preventive care, lifestyle optimization, and aesthetic procedures within a medically supervised environment.
In addition to his clinical work, McLain has pursued advanced training in aesthetic and regenerative therapies, including Botox, microneedling, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and exosome treatments. His expertise allows him to safely provide minimally invasive cosmetic procedures while maintaining a strong focus on overall patient wellness. He also incorporates addiction medicine into his practice, employing a harm-reduction approach and addressing both physical dependence and the broader social and mental health factors impacting long-term recovery.
McLain is an active member of professional organizations, including the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, the American Nurses Association, the Nurse Practitioner Association of New York, and holds an associate membership in the American Academy of Addiction Medicine. He is also an educator, having lectured on ventilator management from 2015 to 2019, work that laid the foundation for his forthcoming book, The Fundamentals of Ventilation Management for the Critical Care Provider. Through education and authorship, he continues to contribute to the professional development of healthcare providers nationwide.
Across all facets of his career, Matthew McLain is committed to patient-centered care. From managing critical care patients to guiding individuals through addiction recovery, promoting preventive wellness, and providing aesthetic treatments, his work reflects a unified mission of improving quality of life. In Canton, New York, and beyond, his impact continues to grow as he bridges advanced clinical expertise with compassionate, accessible care for his community.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham
• Master of Science in Nursing (Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner), University of Alabama at Birmingham
• Acute Care Nurse Practitioner – Board Certified (ACNP-BC)
• Advanced Practice Registered Nurse – Certified Nurse Practitioner (APRN-CNP)
• Association of Nurse Practitioners
• American Nurses Association
• Nurse Practitioner Association of New York
• Associate membership in an American organization
Areas of Specialization/Expertise
- Acute and critical care management
- Addiction medicine and harm-reduction strategies
- Preventive and whole-person care
- Wellness interventions, including supervised weight loss and IV infusion therapies
- Aesthetic procedures: Botox, microneedling, PRP, exosomes
- Concierge-style patient care and extended access services
- Telehealth and virtual care delivery for long-term patient relationships
What do you enjoy most about practicing medicine?
What I enjoy most about practicing medicine is finding ways to provide meaningful care despite the challenges of small-town provider shortages, a local population with limited access, and regional hospital instability. At the same time, I see opportunities to expand access through telehealth, concierge or subscription-based care, and supporting displaced primary-care patients in our community.