From Injury to Triumph: A Grand Canyon R3 Adventure
When Jonas Kyllonen—a physical therapist at Riverwood—his wife Emily and their friends Hilary and Joel decided to take on the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim ultramarathon, they had no idea just how transformative the journey would be. What began as a bucket list goal became a test of endurance, resilience, and camaraderie. It all started when they […]
Aitkin hospital nurse receives DAISY Award
The latest nurse to receive the DAISY Award, recognition for outstanding nursing, at Riverwood Healthcare Center is Lisa Streadwick, a registered nurse for the hospital inpatient unit. She has worked for Riverwood for three years, caring for medical, surgical and obstetrics patients. Riverwood participates in the DAISY Award honoring exemplary nurses who have been recognized […]
Irregular heartbeat condition increases stroke risk
World Stroke Day is observed on Oct. 29 to underscore the serious nature and high rates of stroke, raise awareness of the prevention and treatment of the condition, and ensure better care and support for survivors. Your risk of stroke depends on several factors, including age, gender, diabetes, high blood pressure, vascular disease and history […]
Riverwood Healthcare welcomes new board member
Riverwood Healthcare Center is proud to announce the appointment of Bryan Nistler to its Governing Board of Directors. “On behalf of our board, I am excited to welcome Bryan to this important leadership position,” said Riverwood CEO Ken Westman. “His business management experience and deep ties to the McGregor community will be invaluable in guiding […]
A Passion for Coaching, Shaping Lives Both On and Off the Court
For Wade Zubke, Riverwood Business Informatics Manager, coaching volleyball was never part of the plan. But life has a funny way of redirecting our paths. Since 2016, Wade has balanced his career with his passion for coaching young athletes. It all started when his daughter, Brooke, expressed interest in joining her school’s 6th-grade volleyball team. […]
Aitkin hospital earns five-star rating for cleanliness
Recently, the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare announced a list of hospitals across the country that have earned a five-star rating for cleanliness, including Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin, Minn. This report is produced based on patient satisfaction surveys issued and compiled by the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS). This is […]
Good communication, planning aid knee replacement recovery
Good communication with her health care team and planning for her recovery in advance helped Martha Morin have a better patient experience with her second knee replacement at Riverwood Healthcare Center. Morin explains, “I talked to Physician Assistant Erin Mason on the orthopaedic team about how to avoid some of the difficulties I had with […]
Eating changes, daily walks support weight loss
Jessica Johnson, a dedicated physical therapist at Riverwood Healthcare Center since 2005, has undergone a remarkable transformation in her health and wellness journey. Primarily working with patients at Riverwood’s McGregor clinic and occasionally in Aitkin, Jessica shares her inspiring story of overcoming obstacles and achieving lasting success. “I’ve struggled with my weight for years. In […]
Get up to date with breast cancer, other health screenings
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time when women are reminded to get their breast health screenings. About 30 percent of all new female cancers each year are breast cancer. Breast cancer is most common in middle-aged and older women. The American Cancer Society recommends that women ages 40 to 44 can choose to […]
Cardiologist joins Riverwood heart health team
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to announce that Dr. Sohaib Basharat of the Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute (MHI) has joined the cardiology provider team. He will begin seeing patients at Riverwood’s specialty clinic in Aitkin in October. Specializing in cardiovascular and preventative cardiology, Dr. Basharat joins Dr. Peter Stokman and Dr. Tim Dirks, MHI […]
Prostate Cancer Awareness, Preventative Care
September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and it is a great time to focus on the importance of early detection and preventative care. Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men, yet it is also one of the most treatable when caught early. Understanding the risks and taking proactive steps in screening […]
Fast medical care critical for stroke patient
A native of Aitkin, Minn., Don McKay never imagined his first trip for hospital care would be caused by a stroke. Knowing what stroke symptoms look like helped Don and his wife, Joane, get fast medical care at Riverwood Healthcare Center. McKay shares his outstanding treatment experience and outcome. “Joane and I were watching the […]
Spread awareness of Ovarian Cancer
As we approach Ovarian Cancer Awareness Day on Sept. 5, it’s vital to shine a spotlight on this often-overlooked disease. Ovarian cancer, a malignancy originating in the ovaries, is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women. Early detection and awareness are crucial for improving outcomes and survival rates. “While a diagnosis of ovarian […]
New radiology system supports breast, prostate MRIs
A new advanced imaging system just made its debut at Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin. The DynaCAD imaging system will be used for breast and prostate MRIs, which were previously unavailable at Riverwood. The biggest benefit of the DynaCAD software is that it provides the radiologist with the technology needed for reading and interpreting breast […]
Aitkin hospital earns five-star rating
Last month, the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid released its Hospital Compare Report showing how hospitals across the nation are performing. Riverwood Healthcare Center earned an impressive five-star rating for the last reporting period covering October 2022 through September 2023. This report is produced based on patient satisfaction surveys issued and compiled by the Hospital […]

