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 […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center announced today that it has been named a 2026 Outstanding Patient Experience Award™ recipient by Healthgrades, the #1 site Americans use to find a doctor or hospital. This achievement reflects Riverwood’s commitment to superior, patient-centered care and puts the organization in the top 15% of hospitals nationwide for patient experience. Riverwood is […]
A stroke doesn’t wait—and neither should you. May is National Stroke Awareness Month, a reminder to recognize stroke symptoms and act fast. A stroke can happen suddenly and without warning. It occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked or a blood vessel bursts. When that happens, brain cells suffer within minutes. The longer treatment is delayed, the […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to welcome Dr. Lunzer to its team of providers, where she will join the Primary Care team as an Internal Medicine provider. Dr. Lunzer completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Minnesota’s College of Biological Sciences, earning a degree in Biochemistry and graduating magna cum laude. She went on to receive […]
Gail Welch, 69, didn’t expect her visit to Minnesota to turn into a story worth writing about—but that’s exactly what happened. A writer and former EMT from Maryland, Gail made the trip to visit her brother, driving through three blizzards with her dog along the way. “It was a wild ride from the start,” she […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center is excited to welcome Victoria Klaphake, MSW, LGSW, as a behavioral health therapist to its Integrated Behavioral Health provider team. In her role as an outpatient therapist, Klaphake will work with individuals experiencing a wide range of concerns, including mood disorders, anxiety, sexual health, and relational challenges. Klaphake brings a broad range […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center has earned Lab Accreditation from Joint Commission, an independent, evidence-based standards setting organization that sets the benchmark for safe, high-quality patient care through healthcare accreditation. This accomplishment formally recognizes Riverwood’s ongoing commitment to meeting rigorous performance standards and delivering the safest, highest quality care to its patients. Riverwood underwent a rigorous onsite survey February 3 – 5, 2026. During the visit, a Joint Commission surveyor assessed compliance across key areas with laboratory […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center is proud to celebrate RN Gordon “Gordy” Schwartz, recipient of the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. The DAISY Award is a national recognition honoring nurses who demonstrate exceptional dedication to patients. Gordy was nominated by the wife of a patient he cared for during two Emergency Department visits. When the patient returned, […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to welcome Nurse Practitioner Rebecca Knopik, FNP-BC, to its Family Medicine team in Aitkin and Garrison. Knopik joins the team as a core clinical partner, supporting patient care through appropriate visits, in‑basket management, preventive health services, and chronic disease management. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to welcome Nurse Practitioner Andrea Wippler, FNP-BC, to its Family Medicine team in Aitkin. Wippler joins the team as a core clinical partner, supporting patient care through appropriate visits, in‑basket management, preventive health services, and chronic disease management. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner, from […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to welcome Andrew Highum, DPM, a highly trained foot and ankle surgeon/podiatrist, to its medical staff. Dr. Highum completed his undergraduate degree at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and earned his doctorate from the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in Chicago. He completed his residency training at […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center has been designated as a Blue Distinction® Center for Knee and Hip Replacement. Awarded by Blue Cross Blue Shield, this designation recognizes hospitals that meet rigorous quality standards and demonstrate excellent patient outcomes. The Blue Distinction® program is built on criteria developed by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association in partnership with the American Academy of Orthopedic […]
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 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, […]
