For Barb S. of Minneapolis, the drive to Aitkin is more than worth it.
Although she lives in Minneapolis, Barb has been making the trip to Aitkin for healthcare services at Riverwood for the past few years. Referred by a family member, she quickly discovered something she says is hard to find in larger metropolitan healthcare systems: personalized, exceptional care and familiar, friendly faces.
“What keeps me coming back is the people and great care,” Barb said. “When I walk through the doors, they greet me by name. The conversations are personal and genuine. That’s something you don’t often find in larger metropolitan hospitals.”
Over the past few years, Barb has utilized a variety of specialty services at Riverwood, including Interventional Spine Care, Urology, and General Surgery. She is especially impressed that a rural healthcare system offers access to so many specialists and advanced treatment options despite being a two-hour drive from home.
“It’s incredible to have so many specialty services in one place with outstanding providers,” she said. “Riverwood is truly a one-stop shop for healthcare.”
One treatment that made a significant impact on Barb’s quality of life was the IOVERA® procedure for chronic knee pain. Prior to a family trip to Costa Rica, Barb worried that chronic knee pain might slow her down. Working with Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Janelle Tepper, Barb received the IOVERA® procedure, a drug-free treatment that uses targeted cold therapy to provide pain relief. The treatment allowed her to enjoy the trip without missing out on activities with her family.
“The treatment worked wonderfully,” she said. “I was able to travel, keep up with my family and not miss a beat during the trip.”
More recently, Barb sought help for urinary symptoms that had been disrupting her daily life and sleep. She was waking up as many as five times each night to use the bathroom and experiencing urine leakage that made her hesitant to travel or stay with family.
“I was constantly thinking about where the nearest restroom would be,” Barb said. “It even made me self-conscious about visiting my daughter out of town.”
After consulting with Dr. Reynolds and the Riverwood Urology team, Barb underwent the Altaviva™ procedure, an advanced innovative treatment designed to help patients struggling with overactive bladder symptoms and urge urinary incontinence. Performed under local anesthesia in a clinic setting, the minimally invasive procedure does not require sedation and offers patients a convenient option for improving bladder control. Riverwood is among a select number of hospitals in northern Minnesota providing this innovative treatment.
Since the procedure, Barb says the improvement has been life-changing.
“Now I only get up maybe once or twice a night, and I’m sleeping so much better,” she said. “The difference has been amazing.”
Barb also recently turned to Dr. Kelly, Riverwood general surgeon, to address ongoing acid reflux symptoms. Through an upper endoscopy (EGD) and Bravo™ pH monitoring test, Barb received specialized evaluation and care to help identify the source of her symptoms.
“Dr. Kelly was brilliant, personable, and incredibly caring,” Barb said. “He took the time to explain everything and made me feel completely comfortable.”
Having experienced care from multiple specialties across Riverwood’s healthcare system, Barb says what stands out most is the quality of care combined with the personal attention she receives.
“I call Riverwood the ‘Mayo of the North,'” she said. “It’s amazing to have such an exceptional hospital in rural Minnesota that offers so many specialty services with providers who truly care. The expertise is outstanding, but it’s the way they treat people that makes Riverwood special.”
For Barb, the answer is simple whenever family or friends ask where they should go for healthcare.
“Ra-Ra Riverwood.”