As a pilot for North Memorial Health in the Brainerd area, Jeff Benson likes to stay fit with regular workouts. However, while working out with his 18-year-old son, he did a bench press weight lift that left him with a sore left shoulder, and ultimately an injury that needed surgical repair. “I laid off working […]

The latest robotic technology for knee replacement procedures is now available at Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin.  Dr. Erik Severson, Riverwood Healthcare Center’s fellowship-trained hip and knee reconstruction surgeon, performed the first robotic assisted knee replacement surgery at Riverwood with the VELYS™ Robotic-Assisted Solution in January.  This robotic equipment helps orthopaedic surgeons perform knee replacement […]

Riverwood Healthcare Center has partnered with Isabel Healthcare to integrate the artificial intelligence symptom checker and self-evaluation platform into its website to enhance care access and patient engagement. The Isabel tool allows consumers to enter unlimited symptoms and covers over 6,000 conditions. It delivers accurate care recommendations and options with just 11 questions. The symptom […]

Helping patients breathe in an emergency situation is vital for our Emergency Department staff. An upgraded GlideScope tool is proving invaluable in supporting patient care in both Riverwood’s Emergency and Surgery departments. The GlideScope is a tool used in the OR and ER for placement of breathing tubes for patients that need one, either in […]

When pressure builds in your forehead, your nose is running, and you just don’t feel good, you may have a sinus infection, or sinusitis. “Most sinus infections will resolve themselves in seven to 10 days, just by taking care of yourself at home,” said Riverwood Physician Assistant Emily Goranson.  “Start taking an antihistamine during the […]

Nola, age 13, is grateful for respiratory therapy treatment that keeps her safe and close to home in McGregor, according to her mother, Kari Horbacz. Each month for the past year and a half, Nola has been getting a Pentamidine treatment from a respiratory therapist at Riverwood Healthcare Center. This medication is administered via a […]

Kris Palmer shared this letter praising her excellent care for breast cancer at Riverwood Healthcare Center. “I am writing today to share with you that I feel blessed to be a patient at Riverwood. Let me share some background. My husband, John, and I both grew up in the Twin Cities and raised our two […]

If you’re experiencing symptoms possibly related to COVID-19, another illness or an injury, where do you go? This is an important question, especially now in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic. Whether you choose our same day clinic, primary care clinic or emergency room, each offers different treatment options as well as price points, which […]

At Riverwood Healthcare Center, we continue to be grateful for our patients and staff. Here we share our reasons why. The heart of Riverwood lies within our patients and staff. During this pandemic staff and patients have shown resilience, remarkable collaboration, innovation and a sense of community as we all come together to provide compassion […]

In mid-December, Riverwood Healthcare Center began providing 3D mammography exams at its McGregor clinic. “We are thrilled to provide 3D mammography to our community,” said Dr. Aaron Jordan, family physician at Riverwood’s McGregor clinic. “It can help detect cancer earlier because it offers multiple images of breast tissue for greater clarity and accuracy. There’s also […]

The Riverwood Healthcare Center Governing Board of Directors has selected Ken Westman as chief executive officer with an anticipated start date of Feb. 14, 2022. Westman is an experienced and accomplished health care executive with 25 years of successful and progressive experience with people, culture, and sustainability for health care institutions. For the past 10 […]

Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to introduce Andrew Van Santen as the new manager of its hospital emergency department. Van Santen began his nursing career 20 years ago in Crosby, first working at a long-term care center and then transitioning to hospital nursing and caring for medical/surgical patients. He worked as a registered nurse in […]

The Nistler family is featured in Riverwood Foundation’s annual year-end appeal letter that is inviting donations to support our Birthing Center.  Make your gift at riverwoodhealthcare.org via the GIVE NOW link. Shirley and her husband Terry Nistler didn’t realize she would be starting a family tradition when she chose where to give birth to her […]

Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to introduce two new members of the oncology care team for cancer patients. They include Nurse Practitioner Jenny Diederich and Oncology Care Coordinator Katie Gunderson. “We are pleased to welcome Jenny and Katie to our oncology team,” said Dan Schletty, director of ambulatory services at Riverwood. “They both bring excellent […]

On Nov. 4, Riverwood Healthcare Center honored 59 employees and retirees who have celebrated milestone anniversaries or retirement in 2020 and 2021 at a special dinner at the Arrowwood Lodge in Brainerd. Their collective years of service, ranging from 10 to 40, totals 998! Cindi Baker, interim CEO for Riverwood, expressed gratitude for all that […]