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 […]

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this year’s theme, “More Good Days, Together,” invites us to reflect on what it means to have a good day and how we can create more of them.  A good day doesn’t have to be perfect. It might be doing something that brings you joy, sharing a laugh with someone […]

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, […]