Lower back pain has made Michele Plagman a frequent visitor to Riverwood Healthcare Center, where she has received interventional pain treatment and physical therapy. “I developed sciatica pain in my lower back in fall 2023. Sitting for any period of time became difficult; eventually, I was only comfortable lying down or standing,” Plagman recalls. “Physical […]

June is Men’s Health Month—a perfect time for men to take charge of their well-being through preventive care and routine health screenings. Proactive health management can detect and address issues early, when they’re most treatable. Essential cancer screenings for men Colon cancer screening saves lives by detecting cancer early or finding polyps that can be […]

As outdoor activities increase during warmer months, so do the risk of tick-borne diseases. Among the most common in North America are Lyme disease and anaplasmosis, both transmitted primarily through the bite of infected black-legged ticks (also known as deer ticks). “Awareness, prevention, and early treatment are key to avoiding serious health complications,” explains Dr. […]

Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to welcome Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) Kelsey Morinville to its Anesthesia team at the Aitkin hospital. Morinville brings nine years of experience in nurse anesthesia, having practiced at St. Luke’s Hospital in Boise, Idaho, as well as the Twin Cities metro area. Her clinical expertise spans several specialty areas, […]

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) provide excitement and versatility for outdoor enthusiasts, but they also come with inherent risks. Understanding ATV safety and practicing awareness while riding is crucial to prevent accidents and injuries. Dr. David Taylor, chief medical officer and emergency medicine physician at Riverwood comments, “ATV awareness is essential for enjoying the thrill of off-road […]

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting millions of Americans and often limiting their ability to stay active and enjoy daily life. At Riverwood Healthcare Center, our orthopaedic experts are here to help patients manage joint pain and get back to doing what they love. “Osteoarthritis is often referred to as ‘wear and […]

Aphasia affects each person differently—but one point is clear: it’s a loss of language, not intelligence. “There are varying degrees of aphasia,” explains Speech-Language Pathologist Amanda Bostrom at Riverwood Healthcare Center. “Some people struggle with finding the right words, while others may have more difficulty understanding speech, reading, writing, or spelling. It affects everyone in […]

When Mary R. began experiencing severe back pain during her winter stay in Texas, she knew she needed to return home to Minnesota and reconnect with the spine care experts at Riverwood Healthcare Center. A quick call to Riverwood’s Spine Care Clinic set her treatment journey in motion. Mary flew home on a Wednesday, had […]

Riverwood Healthcare Center is proud to celebrate its exceptional team, recognized with four awards at the Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) Spring Innovation Forum Award Ceremony. These awards highlight Riverwood’s unwavering commitment to innovation, community engagement, and high-quality patient care. Angela Harmon, RN, ED Supervisor, was honored with the Nursing Excellence Award for her outstanding leadership, […]

Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to introduce Provider Recruitment Specialist Alaina Hagestuen. In her new role in Provider Recruitment, Hagestuen will oversee and coordinate the entire process of attracting, screening, interviewing, hiring and onboarding new medical staff members to Riverwood, focusing on finding the best providers who have a passion for providing care and making […]

Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to announce the appointment of Deb Gruber as its new director of Human Resources. In this key leadership role, Gruber will plan, lead, and coordinate the activities of Riverwood’s Human Resources department—ensuring legal compliance, fostering a positive work culture, and aligning HR strategy with the organization’s overall mission and goals. […]

[Aitkin, Minn., May 20, 2025] – Riverwood Healthcare Center announced that it has been recognized as a 2025 Outstanding Patient Experience Award™ recipient by Healthgrades, the top website Americans use when searching for a doctor or a hospital. This achievement reflects Riverwood’s commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care and puts the organization in the top 5 […]

Love the Sun – Protect Your Skin May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month and a vital opportunity to highlight the most common and one of the most preventable cancers in the United States. More than 5 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year, and in 2025, an estimated 104,960 new cases of invasive […]

Recently, the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services announced a list of 374 hospitals across the country that have earned a five-star rating for cleanliness, including Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin, Minn. This report is based on patient satisfaction surveys issued and compiled by the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS), a […]

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a dedicated time for people, organizations, and communities to join their voices to broadcast the message that mental health matters. This year’s theme, “Turn Awareness into Action”, celebrates the progress we’ve made in recognizing the importance of mental health – and challenges us to turn understanding into meaningful steps […]