March is National Nutrition Month, a time to recognize the vital role that food plays in our lives—not just as nourishment but as a powerful connector between health, traditions, and relationships. This year’s theme, “Food Connects Us,” highlights how our food choices influence well-being at every stage of life while preserving cultural heritage and strengthening […]

In the hustle of everyday life, it’s easy to overlook the little things we take for granted—warmth, comfort, and a personal touch. For Janet Larson, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner at Riverwood Healthcare Center’s Behavioral Health clinic in Aitkin, these small gestures mean everything. For over a decade, Larson has been knitting hats for […]

Pat Becker, a retired respiratory therapist who worked at Riverwood Healthcare Center for 15 years, is enjoying her pain-free recovery from a knee replacement. “From a medical perspective, I knew what to expect with getting a total knee replacement, but I was not prepared for how wonderful I would feel to be on the receiving […]

As the temperatures drop and the days get shorter, it can be tempting to hibernate indoors and put fitness on the back burner. However, staying active in the winter is essential for maintaining overall health, boosting mood, and keeping energy levels high. With the right mindset and resources, you can make movement a priority even […]

Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin, MN today announced it has been named among the 2025 Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals by The Chartis Center for Rural Health. Chartis’ annual Top 100 award program honors outstanding performance among the nation’s rural hospitals based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX®. “This recognition is […]

Riverwood Healthcare Center has recently added three pharmacists at its Aitkin hospital, including Andrea Agre, Ryan Friesen and Hannah Stephenson. Andrea Agre had served as an inpatient clinical pharmacist for Riverwood before moving to the newly expanded surgery wing to staff the satellite pharmacy. Agre brings 17 years of experience in retail and critical access […]

Riverwood Healthcare Center, with the help of the Aitkin Farmers Market Hub and Aitkin County Public Health, was awarded the Minnesota Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) grant by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). The LFPA program, launched in 2024, funds projects that buy local food, primarily from socially disadvantaged and emerging farmers, to distribute […]

“On March 12, 2024, my life changed forever,” says Riverwood Healthcare Center patient Joanna Jackson of Aitkin. Jackson, her husband, daughter, and mother-in-law were on their way from Aitkin to Texas when they made a quick stop for coffee in Plymouth just north of Minneapolis. As she reached into the back seat to buckle her […]

The heart is one of the most vital organs in the human body, tirelessly pumping blood to supply oxygen and nutrients to every cell. Maintaining a healthy heart is crucial for overall well-being, as cardiovascular disease remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Fortunately, many heart-related issues can be prevented through lifestyle changes […]

The latest recipient of Riverwood Healthcare Center’s prestigious DAISY Award for nursing excellence is Lacey Jurek, a registered nurse in the OB & Med/Surg departments. Jurek has been with Riverwood for 11 years, providing compassionate care to countless patients throughout her 13-year nursing career. Riverwood participates in the DAISY Award program, which honors nurses who […]

  Riverwood Healthcare Center is excited to welcome Dr. Robin Muller, family medicine physician, to its Aitkin clinic. Dr. Muller provides comprehensive primary care for patients of all ages, including obstetric services. In addition to the full spectrum of family medicine, Dr. Muller’s special interests include women’s health and obstetrics, opioid use disorder and buprenorphine […]

Wanda Graham, a resident of Aitkin, expresses heartfelt gratitude for the outstanding orthopaedic care she received at Riverwood Healthcare Center. Over the past year, she underwent four surgical procedures performed by two highly skilled orthopaedic surgeons, all conveniently close to home. Her journey began with Dr. Jeffrey Klassen, an orthopaedic surgeon fellowship-trained in shoulder and […]

Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to introduce Physician Assistant Erin Carey, who will see patients at its Aitkin clinic. In her role as physician assistant for primary care, Carey will see patients at all ages and life stages. Her special interests include gastrointestinal and dietary sensitivities, irritable bowel syndrome /colitis, allergies relating to food, animals […]

Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to announce that Ryan Anderson has been promoted to Director of Information Systems and Patient Access. In this role, he will continue to manage the Patient Access department and will oversee the Information Technology (IT) Clinical Informatics team. He will eventually support all the managers within the IT department. Anderson […]

Riverwood Healthcare Center is excited to welcome Lynn Stottler, MD, to its Emergency Department provider team. Dr. Stottler brings a wealth of experience and expertise to Riverwood, with a career spanning over 20 years in Family Medicine and more recently, full-time Emergency Medicine practice since 2018. Dr. Stottler earned a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry, […]