The Minnesota Department of Health recently recertified Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin as a Level III Trauma hospital. After participating in an intense training process to become part of Minnesota’s statewide trauma system, the Aitkin County hospital earned its initial designation in December 2006 and was the first rural hospital in Minnesota to achieve the […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to announce Tanya Pietz as the new Riverwood Foundation director. In this position, she will provide leadership, support, strategic direction, management, and coordination for all functions of the Foundation. She will also be responsible for fund development through special projects, events, annual giving, capital campaigns and planned giving. “We are […]
Physical difficulties with her knee joints began interfering with Jody Slinger’s enjoyment of life eight years ago when she was in her mid-50s. Today at age 60 two new knee joints are enabling her to pursue her passion for being physically active outdoors. She works as a paraprofessional teaching assistant with children in kindergarten through […]
Dr. Brandon Reynolds, a urologist practicing at Riverwood Healthcare Center, has been designated as a Medtronic InterStimTM Center of Excellence physician. This designation is awarded to physicians with high-level training and experience with InterStim, a minimally invasive treatment for overactive bladder, a condition that causes urinary frequency, urgency and incontinence. InterStim uses electrical pulses to […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center participates in the DAISY Award honoring exemplary nurses who have been recognized by a patient for their extraordinary act of compassion or a relationship that they have created with a patient that truly made a difference. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s program to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform […]
August is the perfect time to shop your local farmers market for zucchini, a low-calorie food that can help you lose weight as part of an overall healthy diet. Like other fruits and vegetables, zucchini is low in calories but contains satiating fiber and water that can help keep you full. Substituting it for empty-calorie […]
Katherine Paul, D.O., of Kansas City, Mo., on August 1 will begin her post graduate advanced orthopaedic surgical training at the Minnesota Center for Orthopaedics (MCO) located at Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin and Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby. She comes to MCO from Kansas City University-HCA Research Medical Center where she worked as […]
By Kelsey Guthmiller, Trauma & Stroke Program Manager, Riverwood Healthcare Center Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and one of the leading causes of disability in Minnesota. In fact, globally about one in four adults over the age of 25 will have a stroke in their lifetime. Yet, most adults in the U.S. […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to introduce Janelle Tepper, certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), as the new anesthesia services director to lead the hospital’s anesthesia team. Most recently as CRNA manager, Tepper led a team of 18 CRNAs for St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd for the past 10 years. For the past few years, […]
The Riverwood Healthcare Center diabetes self-management education program in Aitkin, Minn., has been awarded continued Recognition status from the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Riverwood’s program was originally recognized by the ADA in 2005. The ADA Education Recognition effort, begun in 1986, is a voluntary process that assures that approved education services have met the National […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to announce that Heather Benedett has joined the social services team. As a licensed social worker, she works with hospital patients, families and the medical staff to coordinate discharge planning and connect patients with community services as needed. “Heather brings extensive social services experience and knowledge to this position,” said […]
During the summer months in Minnesota, lots of fun activities draw us outdoors during hot, sunny days. However, spending more time in the sun can increase your risk for skin cancer. Stay safe with these sun protection tips: Limit the amount of time in the sun between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm—when the sun’s rays […]
A year after having shoulder surgery at Riverwood Healthcare Center, Patti Erlandson is feeling great. After working for more than 30 years as a registered nurse, she retired early at age 62 because left shoulder pain interfered with her nursing job duties. Patti shares her outstanding treatment experience and outcome. “I had trouble hanging IV […]
By Kelsey Guthmiller, Trauma Program Manager at Riverwood Healthcare Center With the start of the summer season and spending more time outdoors, the incidence of tick bites and fish hook injuries in our area explodes. Here are some safety tips for both. Tick bites prevention Before you go outdoors, know where to expect ticks. Ticks […]
Each year, the month of April is dedicated to the observance of Esophageal Cancer Awareness and education regarding the risk of Esophageal Cancer posed by persistent heartburn or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease.) Adenocarcinoma is increasing at a faster rate than any other cancer in the U.S. Only one in every five esophageal cancer patients survives […]
April is Organ Donation Month, a great time to share a story about an Aitkin woman in need of a kidney and a brother who donated his kidney to her. JoAnn Paulsen Guthmiller, mother to Riverwood’s Emergency Department Supervisor Kelsey Guthmiller, RN, shared comments on the awesome experience of getting her brother’s kidney. “Who would […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to welcome Jenny Vogel as clinical informatics manager in the Information Technology Department. Vogel’s key responsibilities include oversight of the Clinical Informatics staff, providing direction, coordination and collaboration as it relates to the electronic health record (EHR). She works to integrate nursing science, computer science and information science to manage […]
Riverwood Healthcare is hosting its annual Gala on Sat., May 6, for the first time since 2019. This festive event with a “Derby” theme has changed from evening to afternoon with a start time of 2:00 p.m. at the Ripple Center in Aitkin. Enjoy fabulous food, plus a specially brewed beer and bourbon for the […]
During her 20’s and early 30’s, Miranda King suffered from chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). At age 34, she finally found permanent relief through treatment at the Minnesota Reflux and Heartburn Center at Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin. “I was unable to eat a lot of foods or drink certain things because I would become […]
By Kelsey Guthmiller, trauma program manager at Riverwood Healthcare Center During the winter months, there are many risks every day for sustaining a traumatic injury. Here are a few winter-specific causes of injuries or fatalities along with prevention safety tips. Cold/Hypothermia and Frostbite: Exposure to cold temperatures for long periods of time can cause the […]
By Liz Thompson, CNP, PMHNP-BC Holidays are usually a special time when families and friends get together to celebrate and reconnect. Unfortunately, not everyone feels cheerful or happy during this time. Increased depression during the holidays is a real phenomenon. While research data is limited, there is some evidence about the causes of “holiday blues”. […]
From Riverwood Dietitians, Megan Perpich, LD/RD, & Melissa Simons, LD/RD The holiday season in December poses many challenges and temptations when it comes to healthy eating. Here are a few tips that can help you make healthy choices and avoid gaining too many extra pounds. Tip #1: Do not skip meals and avoid going to […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center participates in the DAISY Award honoring extraordinary nurses who have been recognized by a patient for their extraordinary act of compassion or a relationship that they have created with a patient that truly made a difference. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s program to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to announce the addition of Physician Assistant Elizabeth Lilley to its urology care team in Aitkin. Lilley joins Dr. Brandon Reynolds, Dr. Matthew Watson and Nurse Practitioner Cindy Hauser in providing urological care to patients. Specifically, her role will focus on assisting in robotic surgery, seeing clinic patients and clinic […]
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has named Orthopaedic Surgeon Erik Severson, M.D., a top orthopaedic surgery doctor. He is ranked first out of 12 providers in the area for the repair of total knee joint arthroplasty and first out of eight providers in the area for total hip replacement. Dr. Severson’s composite ranking […]
Riley Holm of Hill City and her mother, Laurie, say that early intervention by Riverwood Healthcare Center providers have saved her life multiple times. Diagnosed with biliary atresia as an infant, Riley had a liver transplant at 20 months old with complex healthcare needs over her 18 years of life. Hear from Riley and Laurie […]
Are you making time for routine medical exams for yourself and family members? Find out how an annual checkup can support overall wellness and help prevent disease, saving lives when health issues are diagnosed early. Attend a virtual video seminar, “Annual Exam: Your Health Lifeline”, on Tues., Oct. 25, 2:00 to 2:30 p.m., hosted by […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to welcome Matt Foman, a third-year medical student at the University of Minnesota Medical School, who is participating in the Rural Physician Associate Program (RPAP). Through the RPAP program, a third-year medical student lives in a rural community for nine months and participates in rotations of hospital and clinic care […]
The Riverwood Healthcare Center Board of Directors recently approved investing in the transition to a new electronic health record system, which has great strategic significance for the organization’s future. “With the significant cost of the electronic health record transition, we needed to re-evaluate our two major construction projects,” said Riverwood Chief Executive Officer Ken Westman. […]
By Janet Larson, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner October is Depression and Mental Health Awareness Month. Depression and mental health are topics not discussed in our personal lives, with friends or in the workplace. The goal of this important month is to bring attention to these often deemed taboo topics, hopefully encourage conversation, and make […]
