By Registered Dietitians Megan Perpich & Melissa Simons March is National Nutrition Month. This is a great time of year to review your eating habits and learn something new about proper nutrition. This year’s theme is “Fuel for the Future”. Here are some tips for eating right to avoid food waste: Plan meals based on […]

Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to welcome Erin Mason, Physician Assistant to its orthopaedic team in Aitkin. Erin specializes in orthopaedics and sees patients in Riverwood’s specialty clinic in Aitkin, Tuesday through Friday, along with Nurse Practitioner Josh Jacobson, who works Monday through Thursday. Both providers offer same day orthopaedic care for patients with bone, […]

  Riverwood Healthcare Center introduced a new image scanner early March that enhances patient care. The Radiology Department switched from using analog PET-CT (positron emission tomography-computed tomography) scans to digital PET-CT scans. The key advantage of this new digital technology over analog scans is greater ability to detect lesions with more precision and clarity of […]

Riverwood Healthcare Center joins the American Cancer Society in recognizing National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in March. Screening is key to preventing colon cancer or detecting it early. You may lower your risk by also managing your diet and adding physical activity into your daily routines. Prompted by a recent alarming rise in cases of […]

Riverwood Healthcare Center has been recognized as a 2023 Top 100 Critical Access Hospital for the sixth time in 12 years. Compiled by The Chartis Center for Rural Health, this annual recognition program honors outstanding performance among the nation’s rural hospitals based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX™. Now in its […]

Barb Kallio, Embarrass, Minn., is an avid bowler, sometimes bowling in two different leagues. She set a personal goal to carry on with her passion of bowling until she reached the age of 85. Until she couldn’t. Barb could no longer bowl due to a hand issue. “It wasn’t just bowling,” Barb said. “I could […]

A recent issue of Becker’s Hospital Review features Riverwood Healthcare Center CEO Ken Westman on its national list of “80 Rural Hospital CEOs to Know” for 2023. This list highlights 80 top executives from rural hospitals across the United States with one other Minnesota CEO, Jake Redden of Madelia Health, featured. The Becker’s article cites […]

Riverwood Healthcare Center welcomes Tracey Eakman as the new director of the Surgical Services Department. Eakman brings 14 years of experience overseeing surgery departments in the Twin Cities, at North Memorial Health and Maple Grove Surgery Center. At North Memorial Health, Eakman managed the day-to-day operations of a busy ambulatory surgery center with approximately 10,000 […]

Heart Health Month in February is a great time for individuals to look at what they can do to improve their heart health and lower heart disease risks. That’s why Riverwood Healthcare Center is offering a “Heart Health: Benefits of Exercise” virtual seminar on Thurs., Feb. 23, 12:00 to 12:30 p.m. Mitch Kline, exercise physiologist […]

  Riverwood Healthcare Center reports that significant progress has been made on its surgery expansion construction project at its hospital in Aitkin. Designed by DSGW Architects with Kraus-Anderson as the general contractor and construction manager, the surgery expansion project will feature a 72,000-square-foot surgery addition. Construction has been underway since August 2022. The outline of […]

Jacki Rinta is the new manager of the surgical services department at Riverwood Healthcare Center, where she has worked in multiple leadership roles since 2015. Rinta brings more than 20 years of experience overseeing hospital operating rooms and the sterile processing area. She has collaborated with surgeons and staff to identify and prioritize patient needs […]

Rob Schmieg, a certified nurse anesthetist (CRNA), has joined Riverwood Healthcare Center’s surgical services provider team.  Schmieg brings extensive anesthesia experience, working at Lakewood Health in Staples as a CRNA and director of anesthesia, and most recently as an anesthesia supervisor and CRNA for Mayo’s Critical Access Hospitals in Wisconsin. During his CRNA practice, he […]

For more than 50 years, Sandy F. struggled with acid reflux symptoms. She finally found long-lasting relief when she sought care at the Minnesota Reflux and Heartburn Center at Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin. Sandy shares comments on her successful treatment outcome: “I’ve had acid reflux since I was age 5. It was horrible. I […]

Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to introduce a new team of physicians to provide ear, nose and throat care at its specialty clinic in Aitkin. Dr. Kurtis Waters and Dr. Ethan Kraft of Advanced Specialty Associates, will see patients at Riverwood’s specialty clinic in Aitkin several days a month, beginning in January 2023. Otolaryngology (also […]

Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to announce Breann Goedken has moved into the position of diabetes care and education nurse. With the completion of her registered nurse degree from Central Lakes College, Goedken is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree through Western Governors University. She has previous experience working in medical/surgical inpatient care and home health […]