Riverwood’s Auxiliary will host its 41st Annual Lights of Love Ceremony on Sunday, November 22. Each year, members select chairpersons whose generosity, compassion, and service to others embody the spirit of Lights of Love. This year, that honor goes to Steve and Julie Wilson. Steve’s connection to Riverwood spans a lifetime. Born to Sandy and […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to welcome Len Gross as its new Director of Human Resources. A seasoned healthcare leader, Gross brings more than 20 years of experience spanning human resources, clinic management, and hospital operations. He holds a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification and earned an Associate of Science degree in Earth Sciences, a Bachelor of […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to announce the promotion of Dan Schletty to Chief Ambulatory Officer (CAO). In his new role as CAO, Schletty will provide strategic leadership for Riverwood’s ambulatory and outpatient services, working closely with clinical and operational teams to enhance access to care, strengthen service delivery, and advance patient-centered care. Schletty joined Riverwood in […]
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a reminder for women to make their health a priority and stay up to date on recommended screenings. A screening mammogram takes only a short time but can make a life-changing difference. Regular mammograms can detect breast cancer before symptoms appear, when treatment is often most effective. “One of the most important messages […]
Gratitude brings a former patient back to Riverwood one year after an unexpected injury interrupted his fishing trip. A year ago, Ohio resident Bob Vance was in Garrison for an annual fishing trip, a tradition his group has enjoyed for three generations. “Aitkin County has all the good lakes,” Bob said with a smile. The trip began under gray […]
Mental health is an important part of overall health and well-being. Just as we seek care for physical illnesses and injuries, it’s important to recognize when emotional or mental health challenges need attention. At different points in life, many people experience stress, anxiety, depression, grief, loneliness, financial concerns, chronic illness, or major life changes that can impact their mental […]
When Bel Stealy of McGregor was diagnosed with stage 4 small cell carcinoma which spread to the liver; the outlook was devastating. Upon receiving her diagnosis at another local healthcare facility, she was told hospice care was the recommended path forward. But Bel wasn’t going down without a fight. Refusing to accept hospice as her only option, she […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to welcome Grant McCormick, MD, to its specialty clinic team. Dr. McCormick will begin seeing patients in Aitkin on September 28, further strengthening specialty urology services for patients throughout the region. Dr. McCormick provides care for men and women with a wide range of urologic conditions. His clinical interests include […]
Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and others from serious illness during flu season. The flu vaccine helps reduce the risk of severe complications such as pneumonia, hospitalization, and missed work, school, and other activities. Riverwood Healthcare Center is offering flu and COVID-19 vaccine clinics to the public by appointment at the […]
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 […]
As Tolo May prepares to begin his senior year at Aitkin High School, he is thinking about the future, much like many students his age. Rather than feeling pressured to have every answer now, the 17-year-old is focused on gaining real-world experience and discovering what interests him most. This summer, Tolo participated in the Summer […]
For Aitkin High School graduates Josie Kostick and Zack Ehnstrom, this summer offered more than a break from classes. Through Riverwood’s Summer Health Care Internship Program (SHCIP), they gained firsthand experience in Surgical Services, witnessing the teamwork, precision, and compassion that make exceptional patient care possible. Although their career goals differ, both students left the experience with a […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center is alerting patients and community members about a phishing scam targeting MyChart users at health systems across the country. While Riverwood patients have not been impacted, the organization is sharing this information proactively to help patients recognize and avoid fraudulent emails designed to steal personal information. The scam involves emails promoting a free “MyChart Medicare Kit” or “Senior […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center is partnering with the American Red Cross to host a community blood drive on September 29 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and September 30 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will take place in Conference Rooms C/D at Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin. With the nation’s blood supply remaining critically low, […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center is proud to recognize registered nurse Andrea (Andi) Barneveld as a recipient of the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, an international recognition program honoring nurses who provide exceptional, compassionate care. Andi was nominated by Deanna Bredt, who was admitted to Riverwood following an emergency room visit that led to an unexpected hospitalization. Bredt described feeling overwhelmed, vulnerable, and anxious as she navigated an unfamiliar medical […]
For nearly a year, Cori LaLande’s sciatica pain rode shotgun. As she and her husband traveled the country in their RV, the pain followed her from one destination to the next, taking a physical and emotional toll that made it difficult to enjoy the lifestyle she loved. Along the way, she searched hard for answers. Cori saw specialists, committed to physical therapy, […]
For Jim Thomes of Brainerd, choosing Riverwood was one of the best healthcare decisions he has made. While he had previously been hesitant about receiving surgical care at a smaller, community-based hospital, his experience at Riverwood for hernia surgery quickly changed his perspective. From his first consultation through recovery, Jim found exceptional care, personalized attention, and a level of service that exceeded […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to welcome Dr. Michael Beckmann, who will begin advanced orthopedic fellowship training on August 1. Dr. Beckmann is the fifth surgeon accepted into the one-year orthopedic fellowship program, which provides advanced surgical training and mentorship in adult reconstruction and complex joint replacement procedures. Working alongside fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons Dr. Erik […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to welcome Kylie Mead, PA-C, to its Same Day Clinic team, further expanding access to timely, high-quality care for patients throughout the region. Mead joins Riverwood with experience in emergency medicine, having served as a physician assistant at St. John’s Hospital in Maplewood, MN, and Woodwinds Hospital in Woodbury, MN. […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Joel Madson to its family medicine team. Dr. Madson will provide comprehensive primary care services at Riverwood’s clinics in Aitkin and McGregor, caring for patients of all ages. Dr. Madson is already a familiar face to many in the region, having previously served the […]
For Gwen and Dave Dickey, Riverwood has been more than just a hospital— we’ve been a trusted part of their lives for more than 50 years. After moving to Aitkin in 1969, Gwen went on to build a career at Riverwood, becoming our first ever station secretary before later moving into transcription. She’s seen Riverwood’s […]
Participating centers create confidence in the quality-of-care stroke patients receive during rehabilitation and recovery Riverwood Healthcare Center has received recognition for its participation in the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline Stroke post-acute care initiative to enhance guideline-based care for stroke patients, ultimately improving and prolonging lives. Stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability in the […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to announce that Tara Wichterman, PharmD, has been named Manager of its Garrison Pharmacy. Wichterman brings a strong background in pharmacy care and a commitment to patient-centered service. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Pacific University School of Pharmacy in Hillsboro, Oregon, and has been a valued member […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center is proud to announce the promotion of Emma Arnold to Population Health Program Manager—an exciting step forward as Riverwood continues to strengthen care across our communities. In her new role, Arnold will lead efforts to advance Riverwood’s population health strategy, improving patient outcomes, enhancing quality performance, and expanding value-based care initiatives. Arnold began […]
Hannah Wieczorek was no stranger to migraines. For years, they arrived uninvited, disrupting and dimming her days. To cope, she shaped her life around the intense, throbbing pain. She wore sunglasses inside to block harsh light and avoided noisy, busy environments that could worsen symptoms. The things she loved most, like social gatherings, laughter with […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center is proud to welcome Shannon Sylvester as its new Environmental Services Manager. She brings environmental services experience from her previous role, along with a range of positions in healthcare. In her role at Riverwood, Sylvester will oversee Environmental Services operations, including staffing, workflows, and day-to-day coordination across the facility. “I strive to […]
For Todd Olesen, patient and maintenance employee, hip pain didn’t appear overnight—and it certainly didn’t go away quickly. What started as a twinge turned into a four-year journey of managing daily discomfort that worked its way into every part of his life. Even simple things, like getting a good night’s sleep or tackling projects around […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to announce the appointment of Wes Hoppe to its Governing Board of Directors. A lifelong member of the Aitkin community, Hoppe brings more than 20 years of professional experience and a strong commitment to local service. As a small business owner, he manages a wealth advisory practice, helping families achieve […]
At their latest meeting, Riverwood’s Lakes Area Aphasia Support Group welcomed a special guest. Laughter bounced around the room as Aitkin County Sheriff Dan Guida swapped stories, fielded fishing advice, and connected with group members. For people living with aphasia, interactions with law enforcement can sometimes feel stressful or intimidating. Aphasia — most often caused […]
Vicki Peterson likes to keep it moving. At her home in McGregor, she fills her days with walks, time with family and friends, and a calendar packed with the things she loves. But for two years, urge urinary incontinence began to shrink her world in ways she couldn’t ignore. More and more, her day revolved […]
