After nearly four decades of service, both Drs. Paul Severson and Howard McCollister will retire from clinical practice as program directors, at Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin, in July. “The stellar surgery legacy these two surgeons are leaving is tremendous,” said Riverwood CEO Ken Westman. “Their contribution to the development of surgical capacity and advanced […]
By Kelsey Guthmiller, Trauma Program Coordinator for Riverwood Healthcare Center The Minnesota Legislature recently approved the sale of delta-8 products in Minnesota, effective July 1, 2022. Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as delta-8 THC, is a psychoactive substance found in the Cannabis sativa plant, of which marijuana and hemp are two varieties. Delta-8 THC is one […]
Matthew Musto, D.O., will begin his post graduate advanced orthopaedic surgical training at the Minnesota Center for Orthopaedics located at Riverwood Healthcare Center on August 1. He comes to MCO from University Hospitals Regional Medical Centers in Cleveland, Ohio, where he worked as an Orthopaedic Surgeon the past five years. Dr. Musto is the first […]
June is Men’s Health Month, a time for men to look at how to maintain their own good health. This includes screening for cancers, some of which men might not even know about and others that are uncomfortable for men to even think about. Testicular cancer is a young man’s disease, striking as […]
Riverwood Dietitians Megan Perpich and Melissa Simons share these tips for making healthier choices while dining out. Over the years, dining out has become the norm and less of a special occasion. Dining out tends to be less healthy than home-cooked meals. Here are some tips for a healthier dining experience: 1. Have a plan. […]
Did you know that most strokes are preventable? A large percentage of the ones that happen are treatable with the right care, right away. It’s a matter of knowing what to do, taking action and spreading the word so that others may learn. The acronym B.E.F.A.S.T. can help you recognize stroke symptoms: B – Balance: Watch for […]
Riverwood Dietitians Megan Perpich and Melissa Simons have shared these tips on how to stay hydrated. With the return of summer and warmer temperatures, many of us will spend more time in outdoor activities. However, long periods of time in the heat can cause dehydration and heat exhaustion. Common signs of dehydration include fatigue, low […]
At Riverwood Healthcare Birthing Center, our team of caregivers ensures every new baby and mother has the best experience possible, providing the tender, compassionate care they need. Technology plays a key role in the model of care, and today, we have the opportunity to expand our Riverwood Birthing Center resources with a new Panda Care […]
Riverwood Dietitians Megan Perpich and Melissa Simons have shared these tips on how to limit sugar in your diet. Many people consume more sugar than they realize. On average, adults consume 17 teaspoons of added sugar per day. Added sugar has zero nutritional value to our bodies. It adds extra calories that can lead to […]
Each year, 60,000 Americans are newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s, a chronic neurological disease with progressive degenerative symptoms. Parkinson’s disease symptoms vary from person to person and can include tremors, slowness of movement and rigidity; difficulty with balance; and swallowing, chewing and speaking. Non-motor symptoms can include depression and mood disorders; sleep disorders; loss of smell; […]
If you feel great, you’re healthy, and you’ve never been diagnosed with a chronic illness or experienced a major medical issue, do you really need to make time for an annual check-up? The answer is a definitive YES. Like children and teens, adults of all ages can benefit from having regular physical exams, including men […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center welcomes Kristina Sorenson as the new pharmacy manager for its pharmacy located in the Paulbeck’s County Market in Aitkin. Sorenson brings eight years of experience as a pharmacist. She most recently worked as a pharmacy manager at Walgreens in Brainerd. She earned her undergraduate and pharmacy degrees at Drake University in Des […]
The month of April is dedicated to promoting Esophageal Cancer Awareness and education around the risk posed by persistent heartburn or acid reflux disease. An estimated one in every five American adults suffers from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This is a chronic condition caused by changes in the lower esophageal valve that allows contents to […]
Your body makes vitamin D when your bare skin is exposed to the sun, about 10,000 units of vitamin D in 10 minutes of sun exposure, depending on time of the year and the amount of melanin in the skin. According to Dr. Tim Arnold, family physician at Riverwood Healthcare Center, it’s good to get […]
Nurses at Riverwood Healthcare Center are being honored with the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s program to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform every day. The second DAISY Team award recipient is Bonnie Neumann, a registered nurse in Riverwood Healthcare Center’s Emergency Department. She has more than […]
March is National Nutrition Month. It is a great time of year to review your eating habits and learn something new about proper nutrition. This year’s theme is “Celebrate a World of Flavors”. Learn how to incorporate different flavors when planning your meals and snacks. SEE FLYER March 9th is National Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day. […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center is introducing a new annual scholarship with awards to eligible high school students in the Aitkin County community (Aitkin, Hill City and McGregor) and/or current employees who wish to pursue a degree in healthcare. In 2022, applications are open to students wishing to pursue a career as a medical laboratory tech and/or […]
Effective in mid-February, Riverwood Healthcare Center has adjusted its patient visitor restrictions that have been in place during the recent surge of COVID-19 illness. One adult visitor, who is symptom-free, will be allowed for patients in the surgery department, emergency room, or hospital. In a 24-hour period, the adult visitor must remain the same person […]
On Feb. 17, Riverwood Healthcare Center was featured in a Minnesota Public Radio story on the shortage of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Riverwood shared some of the difficult challenges for our staff and organization, which reflects what hospitals statewide and nationwide are facing. Through it all, Riverwood’s staff has remained resilient and committed […]
As a pilot for North Memorial Health in the Brainerd area, Jeff Benson likes to stay fit with regular workouts. However, while working out with his 18-year-old son, he did a bench press weight lift that left him with a sore left shoulder, and ultimately an injury that needed surgical repair. “I laid off working […]
The latest robotic technology for knee replacement procedures is now available at Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin. Dr. Erik Severson, Riverwood Healthcare Center’s fellowship-trained hip and knee reconstruction surgeon, performed the first robotic assisted knee replacement surgery at Riverwood with the VELYS™ Robotic-Assisted Solution in January. This robotic equipment helps orthopaedic surgeons perform knee replacement […]
Helping patients breathe in an emergency situation is vital for our Emergency Department staff. An upgraded GlideScope tool is proving invaluable in supporting patient care in both Riverwood’s Emergency and Surgery departments. The GlideScope is a tool used in the OR and ER for placement of breathing tubes for patients that need one, either in […]
At Riverwood Healthcare Center, we continue to be grateful for our patients and staff. Here we share our reasons why. The heart of Riverwood lies within our patients and staff. During this pandemic staff and patients have shown resilience, remarkable collaboration, innovation and a sense of community as we all come together to provide compassion […]
The Nistler family is featured in Riverwood Foundation’s annual year-end appeal letter that is inviting donations to support our Birthing Center. Make your gift at riverwoodhealthcare.org via the GIVE NOW link. Shirley and her husband Terry Nistler didn’t realize she would be starting a family tradition when she chose where to give birth to her […]
On Nov. 4, Riverwood Healthcare Center honored 59 employees and retirees who have celebrated milestone anniversaries or retirement in 2020 and 2021 at a special dinner at the Arrowwood Lodge in Brainerd. Their collective years of service, ranging from 10 to 40, totals 998! Cindi Baker, interim CEO for Riverwood, expressed gratitude for all that […]
September is recognized as National Suicide Prevention Month. The goal is to bring more awareness to the issues that surround suicide and break down barriers for people to seek support. Raising awareness about mental health needs and resources that are readily available is an everyday necessity for our community. With this in mind, Riverwood Healthcare […]
Recently, Riverwood Healthcare Center achieved recertification for its designation as an Acute Stroke Ready Hospital from the Minnesota Department of Health. The recertification period covers July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2024; the initial designation was awarded to Riverwood in 2015. In 2013, the Minnesota Legislature authorized the Minnesota Department of Health to designate hospitals […]
A new disinfecting tool is on the frontline of Riverwood Healthcare Center’s COVID-19 response. Using ultraviolet light, the robot-like UV machine disinfects patient rooms and treatment areas with known or suspected patient contact with the virus. Before purchasing the Xenex UV system in May, Riverwood began using a rental machine in April to disinfect the […]
Patients in need of hernia repair no longer need to travel to larger cities for robotic surgery. Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin offers state-of-the-art robotic-assisted surgery for hernia repair using the da Vinci® surgical robot. The general surgeons with the Minnesota Institute for Minimally Invasive Surgery at Riverwood are experienced in using the latest minimally […]
