Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to welcome Dr. Michael Beckmann, who will begin advanced orthopedic fellowship training on August 1. Dr. Beckmann is the fifth surgeon accepted into the one-year orthopedic fellowship program, which provides advanced surgical training and mentorship in adult reconstruction and complex joint replacement procedures. Working alongside fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons Dr. Erik […]

Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to welcome Kylie Mead, PA-C, to its Same Day Clinic team, further expanding access to timely, high-quality care for patients throughout the region. Mead joins Riverwood with experience in emergency medicine, having served as a physician assistant at St. John’s Hospital in Maplewood, MN, and Woodwinds Hospital in Woodbury, MN. […]

Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Joel Madson to its family medicine team. Dr. Madson will provide comprehensive primary care services at Riverwood’s clinics in Aitkin and McGregor, caring for patients of all ages.  Dr. Madson is already a familiar face to many in the region, having previously served the […]

Although Minnesota is known for its cold winters, summer heat can be just as dangerous. Hot, humid weather can overwhelm the body’s ability to cool itself, leading to heat-related illnesses ranging from mild discomfort to life-threatening emergencies. Heat-related illness occurs when the body is unable to get rid of excess heat and maintain a safe […]

For Gwen and Dave Dickey, Riverwood has been more than just a hospital— we’ve been a trusted part of their lives for more than 50 years. After moving to Aitkin in 1969, Gwen went on to build a career at Riverwood, becoming our first ever station secretary before later moving into transcription. She’s seen Riverwood’s […]

Participating centers create confidence in the quality-of-care stroke patients receive during rehabilitation and recovery   Riverwood Healthcare Center has received recognition for its participation in the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline Stroke post-acute care initiative to enhance guideline-based care for stroke patients, ultimately improving and prolonging lives.  Stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability in the […]

Spending time outdoors is one of the best parts of summer in Minnesota—but it also means increased exposure to ticks. At Riverwood Healthcare Center, we want our patients and community to stay safe while enjoying everything summer has to offer.  Minnesota is a high-risk state for tickborne diseases, especially in wooded, grassy, and lakeside environments common across […]

Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to announce that Tara Wichterman, PharmD, has been named Manager of its Garrison Pharmacy.  Wichterman brings a strong background in pharmacy care and a commitment to patient-centered service. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Pacific University School of Pharmacy in Hillsboro, Oregon, and has been a valued member […]

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 […]