Shoulder pain was starting to limit Heidi Olesen’s daily life. Simple movements hurt, her favorite activities felt out of reach, and persistent throbbing kept her from sleeping. Seeking relief, Heidi turned to Riverwood’s Orthopedic team — the same experts who had helped her regain mobility after bilateral hip replacement surgery with Dr. Erik Severson years earlier. In August 2025, […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center is proud to highlight the success of its Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) Externship Program as two local students, Anika and Morgan Just, have completed their CMA training in eight months. Riverwood’s CMA program removes barriers to entering healthcare by fully funding the one-year CMA training for selected candidates in exchange for a two-year […]
In honor of the late Roger and Sandy Wilson, the Wilson family of Aitkin established the Roger and Sandy Wilson Scholarship to support individuals advancing their education in healthcare. The fund is administered by Riverwood Foundation at Riverwood Healthcare Center. These scholarship funds are intended to ease the burden of tuition costs so that aspiring […]
The Aitkin Community Hospital, Inc., dba Riverwood Healthcare Center, will host its 78th Annual Meeting on Wednesday, March 25 at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom with participants signing in remotely via phone or computer. Riverwood will present an overview of the finances for the organization, fiscal year 2025 accomplishments, and Foundation and Auxiliary updates. These presentations will be followed by a business meeting. […]
Riverwood is hosting a free educational seminar on Friday, Feb. 20, for community members seeking information about treatment options for hip, knee, or shoulder pain. The seminar will be led by Erin Mason, physician assistant specializing in orthopedic care at Riverwood. The event begins at 11:00 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in Isle. Mason will […]
Riverwood is introducing a Cancer Support Group to provide a welcoming space for individuals who are newly diagnosed, undergoing treatment, or navigating survivorship. The group meets from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. on the second Thursday of every month in Conference Room C/D at Riverwood Healthcare Center, 200 Bunker Hill Drive, Aitkin. Led by Kirstiane Bilyeu, […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center proudly welcomes Mya VanNurden, MS, PT, a local graduate, to its Therapy Services team serving Aitkin and McGregor. VanNurden brings four years of experience as a traveling physical therapist, caring for patients in clinics and hospitals across Minnesota and Florida. She earned both her bachelor’s degree and Master of Science in Physical Therapy from […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to announce the addition of Dawn Back, DMSc, MSOL, PA-C, as a hospitalist on its medical staff. Dawn brings decades of experience in family medicine and emergency care, along with a strong commitment to serving rural communities. Back earned her Doctor of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Butler University […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center is proud to recognize Amanda VanderHagen, RN, as the latest recipient of the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, an international honor celebrating compassionate, patient-centered care. VanderHagen was nominated by Amanda Bostrom, a speech therapist at Riverwood and recent first-time parent, for the exceptional support she provided during labor and delivery. In her nomination, Bostrom […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to announce the appointment of Paula Emberland as its new Purchasing Manager. Emberland brings more than 15 years of combined experience in purchasing, finance, and accounting, along with a deep commitment to supporting healthcare operations in rural Minnesota. With more than five years of purchasing experience in manufacturing and over […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center is proud to announce that Brandon Reynolds, MD, board-certified urologist, has been named Chief of Surgery. In this leadership role, Dr. Reynolds will oversee surgical services across Riverwood, working closely with clinical teams to support excellence in patient care, safety, surgical outcomes and innovation. A recognized leader in his field, Dr. Reynolds […]
For more than 12 years, Riverwood patient Brian Johnson battled relentless heartburn, relying on daily medication that never truly brought relief. He knew there had to be a better solution. When Brian began exploring treatment options, the Minnesota Reflux and Heartburn Center at Riverwood Healthcare Center stood out. The advanced reflux procedures, proven surgical expertise, […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to announce that Jason Brunko, PharmD, has joined its pharmacy team as Pharmacy Manager at the Aitkin Pharmacy located in Paulbeck’s. Brunko brings extensive experience and a strong commitment to patient-centered care to his new role. Brunko graduated from Fergus Falls High School in 1989. He earned a Bachelor of […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center is proud to announce it has been honored with the 2025 Performance Leadership Award for excellence in Patient Perspective by the Chartis Center for Rural Health. This recognition was announced in conjunction with National Rural Health Day, which celebrates the vital role of rural hospitals in delivering high-quality care to their communities. […]
On November 13, Riverwood Healthcare Center gathered at Ruttger’s Bay Lake Lodge to recognize a remarkable group of employees and retirees. This year, 27 individuals were honored for milestone anniversaries and retirements, representing more than 450 combined years of service. Their dedication continues to strengthen the exceptional care Riverwood provides to the community. Riverwood CEO […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center is proud to announce that urologist Dr. Brandon Reynolds is the first to perform the Altaviva™ implant procedure in the upper Midwest. The Altaviva™ device, developed by Medtronic, is an implantable tibial neurostimulation product designed to treat urge urinary incontinence (UUI) — a condition that causes uncontrolled leakage of urine. The minimally […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to announce the promotion of Lisa Kruse to Director of Marketing, Public Relations, and Business Development. Formerly Riverwood’s PR/Marketing Manager, Kruse has led transformative initiatives including a full organizational rebrand and service line market expansion, positioning the organization for continued growth. In her new role, Kruse will provide strategic leadership […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center welcomes Respiratory Therapist Erica Parmeter to its Respiratory Care team in Aitkin. Parmeter brings over 20 years of experience in the medical field, including more than 13 years as a respiratory therapist. Her clinical background spans a wide range of specialties, including critical care in cardiac surgical OR and ICU (with experience […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center proudly recognizes Roxanne Molin-Rietveld, RN, as the latest recipient of the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. Molin-Rietveld has been with Riverwood for 13 years, providing compassionate care to countless patients throughout her nursing career. Riverwood participates in the DAISY Award program, which honors nurses who have been nominated by patients for their […]
For Ed Lamb, choosing Riverwood Healthcare Center hasn’t been a one-time decision—it’s been a relationship built on trust over the years. From routine checkups to complex health challenges, Ed says the care he’s received has always been exceptional. In February, he underwent hip replacement surgery with Dr. Erik Severson. “The surgery and recovery were much […]
October is National Physical Therapy Month, a time to recognize the life-changing work of physical therapists and raise awareness about how physical therapy (PT) can help people of all ages move better, feel stronger, and live healthier lives. At Riverwood Healthcare Center, our physical therapy team is dedicated to helping patients regain mobility, reduce pain, […]
Dr. Brandon Reynolds, urologist at Riverwood Healthcare Center, has reached a significant professional milestone—completing his 250th InterStim™ procedure, marking years of dedication to helping patients find lasting relief from bladder and bowel control issues. Dr. Reynolds was previously designated as a Medtronic InterStim™ Center of Excellence physician, a recognition awarded to urologists with advanced training, […]
“It’s a game changer when you find the right care” says John Seekon. After a failed knee replacement and months of being told to “just do more PT”, John knew something wasn’t right. Searching for real answers, he turned to Riverwood after hearing great things about the orthopaedic team. His instincts were right. The team […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center is proud to announce it has received the Minnesota Hospital Association’s 2025 Quality and Safety Improvement Award, recognizing the organization’s outstanding commitment to patient safety and continuous quality improvement. This prestigious award celebrates hospitals that take extraordinary and innovative steps to make safety a top priority. Riverwood was selected for its deeply […]
September marks Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about cancers that affect the female reproductive system—including uterine, ovarian, cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers. Every five minutes, someone is diagnosed with gynecologic cancer, yet many of these cancers have no early screening tests and symptoms that are often overlooked. At Riverwood, our […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to announce that Dr. Krishna Prabhu of the Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute (MHI) has joined the cardiology provider team. He will begin seeing patients at Riverwood’s specialty clinic in Aitkin. Specializing in cardiovascular disease, Dr. Prabhu joins fellow MHI cardiologists, Dr. Tim Dirks and Dr. Sohaib Basharat, who have […]
Discover how orthopaedic care can help you move better, feel stronger, and live with greater confidence. Riverwood Healthcare Center, based in Aitkin, Minn., invites community members of all ages to a free lunch seminar on Wednesday, October 8, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at CoHaus in Grand Rapids. Whether you’re dealing with joint pain, […]
Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and others from serious illness. The flu vaccine helps reduce the risk of severe complications like pneumonia, hospitalization, and even death. The same goes for the COVID-19 vaccine. Riverwood Healthcare Center is offering flu and COVID-19 vaccines to the public by appointment at the following community clinic locations and times: Aitkin […]
AITKIN, Minn. — Hosted by Riverwood Healthcare Foundation, The Legacy Gala was a night to remember, bringing together friends, neighbors, and supporters to celebrate 70 years of exceptional rural healthcare and to raise support for the future of care in the region. More than 135 guests enjoyed dinner, entertainment by dueling pianos, a live auction, […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to welcome Physician Assistant Dayelise (Daya) Fleigle to the orthopaedic care team in Aitkin. Fleigle joins Physician Assistant Erin Mason and Nurse Practitioner Jeff Temple in seeing patients at Riverwood’s specialty clinic, Monday through Friday. The team collaborates closely with Dr. Erik Severson, Dr. Jeffrey Klassen, and Dr. Susan Moen—orthopaedic […]
