Areas of Giving
Greatest Need
Donations to this fund directly support vital programs and resources that improve the health for Riverwood patients. Undesignated dollars are vital as they provide flexibility to direct funding to the most important or emergent needs that may arise.
Surgical Expansion - Strengthening our Roots Campaign
Opening 2024, Riverwood Healthcare Center’s new surgical expansion will add 72,000 square feet to our campus, doubling the size of our current Surgical Services space. The newly expanded area will also feature:
– Dedicated space for da Vinci robotic surgeries: smaller incisions, less scarring, faster
recovery
– Enhanced privacy for patients and families in recovery
– Advanced surgical procedures not available in our region
– Hybrid operating room – a state-of-the-are suite integrating high tech imaging. This
combination of a classic operating room with advanced whole body x-ray allows our
surgeons to perform the most up-to-date minimally invasive surgeries and
procedures.
Riverwood Healing Garden
The Healing Garden, located on the grounds of Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin, was created to provide a place of peace, tranquility, healing and reflection for patients, their families, Riverwood employees and all members of the community. This is a special place of honor to memorialize a loved one with a personalized memorial brick placed along the walkway. Bricks can also be inscribed in honor of a special person or special occasion.
Zachary Johnson Kids with Cancer Fund
At the age of 10 months, Zachary Johnson was diagnosed with AML Leukemia. While Zachary was undergoing cancer treatment, his friends and family saw a need to help other families who may experience the same trials and tribulations they went through and established the Zachary Johnson Kids with Cancer Fund. This fund offers grants to Aitkin or Crow Wing County area families with a dependent child who has any form of cancer. This grant is to be used for anything the patient or caregiver wishes.
Emily's Gift - Helping Riverwood Cancer Patients
Emily’s Gift has been established to help ease the burden of daily living expenses for Riverwood patients who have been diagnosed with cancer and are receiving chemotherapy or radiation services. Emily’s gift will help fill the financial void by granting funds to cover immediate non-medical needs.
Michael Zilverberg Health Education Endowment
Michael Zilverberg was strong community leader, always supportive of education and helping others. He was especially interested in providing educational opportunities and scholarships to those in our local healthcare community.
Michael passed away in 2004, and to carry on this legacy, his wife Jeannette established the Michael Zilverberg Healthcare Education Fund at Riverwood Foundation. The endowment is to be used as a scholarship or educational fund to aid in the education and recruitment of healthcare professionals for Riverwood Healthcare Center.
Scholarship applications are typically due May 1st of each year, more information and application details will be available prior to application deadlines.
Roger & Sandy Wilson Nursing Scholarship Fund
In memory of the late Roger and Sandy Wilson, the Wilson family of Aitkin created the Roger and Sandy Wilson Scholarship to help individuals advancing their education in healthcare. Candidates must be employed by a local healthcare facility and must be accepted into an accredited LPN or RN program.
Scholarship applications are typically due May 1st of each year, more information and application details will be available prior to application deadlines.
Golf Charity Event
Riverwood Foundation is teeing up its annual Golf Charity Event. This year we are raising funds to support Riverwood Cancer Care Programs – these funds provide some relief to cancer patients and their families, helping them experience better health and well-being through Riverwood’s NEW Cancer Care Fund, Zachary Johnson Kids with Cancer Fund and Emily’s Gift.
Riverwood Endowment Fund
Donations to this fund will continue to grow until they reach $500,000. When this goal is reached, the interest and dividends only from this fund will be used to fund healthcare projects. With an endowment, the principle is preserved and serves as a source of income for years to come.
Star of the North: Grateful Patient Program
Our Star of the North: Grateful Patient Program is designed to give patients and their families the opportunity to show appreciation and gratitude for a Riverwood team member who has helped them in a special way. Gifts are made to honor a physician or other provider, nurse, team member, office, or department that played a special role in a patient’s care. Riverwood Foundation delivers a token of recognition to the honoree(s) and shares the story with colleagues. Donations to the Grateful Patients Program helps Riverwood deliver the same compassionate care to others and means so much to those who are honored.
Riverwood Reads
Riverwood Reads is a fun way for our providers to use a book during well-child exams to examine a child’s motor skills and other developmental milestones.
What is Riverwood Reads?
– Children, ages birth through 8 years old, are given an age-appropriate book during
their well-child exam.
– Providers incorporate literacy into primary care.
– Parents are educated about how and why to read their children.
– Children are given a foundation to success.
