Spine procedure eliminates back pain
After suffering with back pain on and off since his 20s, Jerel Nelson, age 67, feels like a new man after having a spine care procedure at Riverwood Healthcare Center. […]
Category Archives: News & Events
Teerza Misner receives DAISY Award
Riverwood Healthcare Center is proud to announce Teerza Misner, RN, as the latest recipient of its prestigious DAISY Award for nursing excellence. The DAISY Award honors nurses who go above […]
Aitkin hospital receives CALS designation renewal
Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin has been recognized as a Comprehensive Advanced Life Support (CALS) Hospital, joining an elite group of facilities dedicated to excellence in rural emergency care. This […]
From Dream to Career: Ava Horbacz’s Radiology Journey
At just 15 years old, Ava Horbacz knew she wanted to become a Radiologic Technologist. Today, six years later, she’s living that dream as a Radiology Tech at Riverwood Healthcare […]
Riverwood welcomes nurse anesthetist
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to welcome Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) Kelsey Morinville to its Anesthesia team at the Aitkin hospital. Morinville brings nine years of experience in nurse […]
Understanding osteoarthritis: Riverwood’s orthopaedic experts offer relief for joint pain
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting millions of Americans and often limiting their ability to stay active and enjoy daily life. At Riverwood Healthcare Center, our orthopaedic […]
Aphasia support group members find their voice
Aphasia affects each person differently—but one point is clear: it’s a loss of language, not intelligence. “There are varying degrees of aphasia,” explains Speech-Language Pathologist Amanda Bostrom at Riverwood Healthcare […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center Honored with Four Minnesota Hospital Association Awards
Riverwood Healthcare Center is proud to celebrate its exceptional team, recognized with four awards at the Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) Spring Innovation Forum Award Ceremony. These awards highlight Riverwood’s unwavering […]
Riverwood welcomes Provider Recruitment Specialist
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to introduce Provider Recruitment Specialist Alaina Hagestuen. In her new role in Provider Recruitment, Hagestuen will oversee and coordinate the entire process of attracting, screening, […]
Riverwood welcomes human resources director
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to announce the appointment of Deb Gruber as its new director of Human Resources. In this key leadership role, Gruber will plan, lead, and coordinate […]
Riverwood Ranks in Top 5% of U.S. Hospitals for Patient Experience
[Aitkin, Minn., May 20, 2025] – Riverwood Healthcare Center announced that it has been recognized as a 2025 Outstanding Patient Experience Award™ recipient by Healthgrades, the top website Americans use […]
Riverwood, DAC announce Bunker Hill Drive building sale
Riverwood Healthcare Center and the Developmental Achievement Center (DAC) of Aitkin County closed on the sale of the log building property at 601 Bunker Hill Drive in Aitkin on April […]
Riverwood announces McGregor pharmacy manager
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to announce that Pharmacist Jake Heggem is the new manager of its retail pharmacy in McGregor. Heggem has worked in pharmacy roles since 2011 when […]
Orthopaedic, interventional spine care restores mobility
Nancy B. is deeply thankful to Riverwood Healthcare Center for providing the expert medical care that helped restore her mobility and independence. Several years after retiring from a fulfilling career […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center Amplifies Rural Health Voice on State, National Stage
Riverwood Healthcare Center is making its voice heard at both the state and national levels as leaders advocate for the future of rural health care. U.S. Senator Tina Smith recently […]
Advancing Laboratory Diagnostics at Riverwood
We want to take a moment to recognize the critical role that our laboratory plays in patient care every single day. At Riverwood, our lab is more than a behind-the-scenes […]
Ryan Henry Honored with DAISY Award
Riverwood Healthcare Center is proud to announce that Ryan Henry, LPN, a nurse in the Aitkin Primary Care Clinic, has been selected as the latest recipient of the DAISY […]
Riverwood receives Population Health Pioneer Award
Riverwood Healthcare Center was recognized as a winner of the 2025 Population Health Pioneer Awards, presented by Wellvana. Each year, health care organizations and provider partners are honored for their […]
Recognizing Occupational Therapy at Riverwood
We would like to take a moment celebrate how OT helps people of all ages improve their independence, function, and overall quality of life. Occupational therapy is more than just […]
Riverwood welcomes occupational therapist
Riverwood Healthcare Center welcomes Occupational Therapist Jordyn Asplin to its Therapy Services team in Aitkin. Asplin has two years of experience practicing at a large Level II hospital in Georgia. […]
Riverwood announces patient access manager
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to announce the promotion of Stephanie Jacobs to patient access manager. In this role, Jacobs will oversee a team of 40 employees, managing admitting, scheduling, […]
Riverwood Healthcare to host Annual Meeting
The Aitkin Community Hospital, Inc., dba Riverwood Healthcare Center, will host its 77th Annual Meeting on Tues., April 1 at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom with participants signing in remotely via […]
Riverwood announces emergency department medical director
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Jeff Ehnstrom as the new medical director of its emergency department. With 23 years of medical experience, Dr. Ehnstrom […]
Sage program supports access to cancer screening
Screening for breast and cervical cancer is vital to detecting cancer early when treatment is easier. Access to these cancer screenings is made easier through a program called Sage. Sage […]
Women’s health meetup to focus on weight loss
Riverwood Healthcare Center and the Beanery Café & Roastery in downtown Aitkin are partnering to present a program on women’s health and wellness. Hear from Dr. Joselito Burgos, internal medicine […]
Colon cancer prevention starts with screening
March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month, a time to highlight the importance of early detection and preventative care. Colon cancer is one of the most common cancers in the United […]
A Stitch of Kindness: Janet Larson’s Handmade Gift of Warmth
In the hustle of everyday life, it’s easy to overlook the little things we take for granted—warmth, comfort, and a personal touch. For Janet Larson, a psychiatric mental health nurse […]
Wilson family nursing scholarship open for applications
In memory of the late Roger and Sandy Wilson, the Wilson family of Aitkin created the Roger and Sandy Wilson Scholarship to help individuals better themselves. The fund is administered […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center Recognized by Chartis as a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital
Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin, MN today announced it has been named among the 2025 Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals by The Chartis Center for Rural Health. Chartis’ annual Top […]