Riverwood Healthcare Center was recognized by the Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) for one of the outstanding community programs in Minnesota with its Riverwood Connects program. At the recent 2023 MHA annual meeting, Riverwood representatives accepted the award for exemplary achievement in community benefits for addressing social determinants of health with patients. MHA shared these comments […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to announce the addition of Evan Kelly, MD, to its general surgery team. Dr. Kelly was the fifteenth surgeon to complete a one-year Fellowship training program for advanced surgical training at the Minnesota Institute for Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIMIS) at Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin and Cuyuna Regional Medical Center […]
September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer diagnosed in men, and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men, after lung cancer. The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It is about the […]
Undergoing an MRI imaging scan can be daunting, especially if a person is prone to feeling claustrophobic in small, tight spaces. When Colleen Richards needed to undergo an MRI to help diagnose neck and back pain recently, she was pleasantly surprised with her positive patient experience at Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin. “I’m claustrophobic so […]
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 and Foundation are pleased to announce $34,000 was raised to help support the Zach Johnson Kids with Cancer Fund at Riverwood Foundation during the 2023 golf charity event. The 18-hole golf event, presented by Kraus-Anderson Construction Company, was held on July 14 at Minnesota National Golf Course, McGregor. This year 104 golfers […]
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 […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center and Foundation invite the public to the annual Golf Charity Event presented by Kraus-Anderson Construction Company. Gather with family or friends for the 18-hole tournament on Friday, July 14, at the beautiful Minnesota National Golf Course in McGregor. Proceeds from this year’s event will support the Zach Johnson Kids with Cancer Fund […]
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 […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center announced a change for its McGregor pharmacy hours. Effective May 22, 2023, the pharmacy will be open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Saturday, 9:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m.; and closed on Sundays. “We’re extending our pharmacy hours to offer more service and convenience for our customers and the McGregor community,” […]
Roger & Sandy Wilson Nursing Scholarship Application 2023 In memory of the late Roger and Sandy Wilson, the Wilson family of Aitkin has created the Roger and Sandy Wilson Scholarship to help individuals better themselves. The fund is administered by Riverwood Foundation at Riverwood Healthcare Center. These scholarship funds are intended to ease the burden of […]
Mental health plays a big role in the well-being of all of us. Like your physical health, there are things you can do to make yourself mentally healthier. Riverwood Healthcare Center is offering a “Taking Care of Your Mental Health” virtual seminar on Wed., May 17, with a start time of 12:10 p.m. A 20-minute […]
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 […]
Control of your bladder and bowel health is vital because these two systems play a vital role in storing the body’s waste and eliminating it at the appropriate time. Did you know that overactive bladder and fecal incontinence are extremely common but not a normal part of aging? Some symptoms that may interfere with enjoyment […]
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 […]
