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 […]

Vicki Peterson likes to keep it moving. At her home in McGregor, she fills her days with walks, time with family and friends, and a calendar packed with the things she loves. But for two years, urge urinary incontinence began to shrink her world in ways she couldn’t ignore. More and more, her day revolved […]

Riverwood Healthcare Center announced today that it has been named a 2026 Outstanding Patient Experience Award™ recipient by Healthgrades, the #1 site Americans use to find a doctor or hospital. This achievement reflects Riverwood’s commitment to superior, patient-centered care and puts the organization in the top 15% of hospitals nationwide for patient experience. Riverwood is […]

A stroke doesn’t wait—and neither should you. May is National Stroke Awareness Month, a reminder to recognize stroke symptoms and act fast.  A stroke can happen suddenly and without warning. It occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked or a blood vessel bursts. When that happens, brain cells suffer within minutes. The longer treatment is delayed, the […]

Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to welcome Dr. Lunzer to its team of providers, where she will join the Primary Care team as an Internal Medicine provider.  Dr. Lunzer completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Minnesota’s College of Biological Sciences, earning a degree in Biochemistry and graduating magna cum laude. She went on to receive […]

Gail Welch, 69, didn’t expect her visit to Minnesota to turn into a story worth writing about—but that’s exactly what happened. A writer and former EMT from Maryland, Gail made the trip to visit her brother, driving through three blizzards with her dog along the way. “It was a wild ride from the start,” she […]

Riverwood Healthcare Center is excited to welcome Victoria Klaphake, MSW, LGSW, as a behavioral health therapist to its Integrated Behavioral Health provider team. In her role as an outpatient therapist, Klaphake will work with individuals experiencing a wide range of concerns, including mood disorders, anxiety, sexual health, and relational challenges.  Klaphake brings a broad range […]

Riverwood Healthcare Center has earned Lab Accreditation from Joint Commission, an independent, evidence-based standards setting organization that sets the benchmark for safe, high-quality patient care through healthcare accreditation. This accomplishment formally recognizes Riverwood’s ongoing commitment to meeting rigorous performance standards and delivering the safest, highest quality care to its patients.  Riverwood underwent a rigorous onsite survey February 3 – 5, 2026. During the visit, a Joint Commission surveyor assessed compliance across key areas with laboratory […]

Riverwood Healthcare Center is proud to celebrate RN Gordon “Gordy” Schwartz, recipient of the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. The DAISY Award is a national recognition honoring nurses who demonstrate exceptional dedication to patients. Gordy was nominated by the wife of a patient he cared for during two Emergency Department visits. When the patient returned, […]

Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to welcome Nurse Practitioner Rebecca Knopik, FNP-BC, to its Family Medicine team in Aitkin and Garrison. Knopik joins the team as a core clinical partner, supporting patient care through appropriate visits, in‑basket management, preventive health services, and chronic disease management. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse […]

Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to welcome Nurse Practitioner Andrea Wippler, FNP-BC, to its Family Medicine team in Aitkin. Wippler joins the team as a core clinical partner, supporting patient care through appropriate visits, in‑basket management, preventive health services, and chronic disease management. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner, from […]

Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to welcome Andrew Highum, DPM, a highly trained foot and ankle surgeon/podiatrist, to its medical staff. Dr. Highum completed his undergraduate degree at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and earned his doctorate from the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in Chicago. He completed his residency training at […]

Riverwood Healthcare Center has been designated as a Blue Distinction® Center for Knee and Hip Replacement. Awarded by Blue Cross Blue Shield, this designation recognizes hospitals that meet rigorous quality standards and demonstrate excellent patient outcomes. The Blue Distinction® program is built on criteria developed by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association in partnership with the American Academy of Orthopedic […]

March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month—a time to shine a light on a disease that often hides in silence. The good news? Colon cancer is highly preventable and treatable when caught early. By raising awareness, encouraging screenings, and making healthier choices, we have the power to protect ourselves and the people we love. Regular screenings […]

Shoulder pain was starting to limit Heidi Olesen’s daily life. Simple movements hurt, her favorite activities felt out of reach, and persistent throbbing kept her from sleeping. Seeking relief, Heidi turned to Riverwood’s Orthopedic team — the same experts who had helped her regain mobility after bilateral hip replacement surgery with Dr. Erik Severson years earlier. In August 2025, […]