“On March 12, 2024, my life changed forever,” says Riverwood Healthcare Center patient Joanna Jackson of Aitkin. Jackson, her husband, daughter, and mother-in-law were on their way from Aitkin to Texas when they made a quick stop for coffee in Plymouth just north of Minneapolis. As she reached into the back seat to buckle her […]

The heart is one of the most vital organs in the human body, tirelessly pumping blood to supply oxygen and nutrients to every cell. Maintaining a healthy heart is crucial for overall well-being, as cardiovascular disease remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Fortunately, many heart-related issues can be prevented through lifestyle changes […]

The latest recipient of Riverwood Healthcare Center’s prestigious DAISY Award for nursing excellence is Lacey Jurek, a registered nurse in the OB & Med/Surg departments. Jurek has been with Riverwood for 11 years, providing compassionate care to countless patients throughout her 13-year nursing career. Riverwood participates in the DAISY Award program, which honors nurses who […]

  Riverwood Healthcare Center is excited to welcome Dr. Robin Muller, family medicine physician, to its Aitkin clinic. Dr. Muller provides comprehensive primary care for patients of all ages, including obstetric services. In addition to the full spectrum of family medicine, Dr. Muller’s special interests include women’s health and obstetrics, opioid use disorder and buprenorphine […]

Wanda Graham, a resident of Aitkin, expresses heartfelt gratitude for the outstanding orthopaedic care she received at Riverwood Healthcare Center. Over the past year, she underwent four surgical procedures performed by two highly skilled orthopaedic surgeons, all conveniently close to home. Her journey began with Dr. Jeffrey Klassen, an orthopaedic surgeon fellowship-trained in shoulder and […]

Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to introduce Physician Assistant Erin Carey, who will see patients at its Aitkin clinic. In her role as physician assistant for primary care, Carey will see patients at all ages and life stages. Her special interests include gastrointestinal and dietary sensitivities, irritable bowel syndrome /colitis, allergies relating to food, animals […]

Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to announce that Ryan Anderson has been promoted to Director of Information Systems and Patient Access. In this role, he will continue to manage the Patient Access department and will oversee the Information Technology (IT) Clinical Informatics team. He will eventually support all the managers within the IT department. Anderson […]

Riverwood Healthcare Center is excited to welcome Lynn Stottler, MD, to its Emergency Department provider team. Dr. Stottler brings a wealth of experience and expertise to Riverwood, with a career spanning over 20 years in Family Medicine and more recently, full-time Emergency Medicine practice since 2018. Dr. Stottler earned a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry, […]

Riverwood Healthcare Center welcomes Kristen Petron to its social services team. As a licensed social worker, Petron will collaborate with hospital patients, their families, and the medical staff to coordinate discharge planning and connect patients with essential community services. “Kristen brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to this role,” said Carla Zupko, Chief Nursing […]

Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to announce that Corrine Nelson has been promoted to Quality Manager and Compliance Officer. In her manager role, Nelson will oversee infection control, patient safety, and medical staff credentialing. As compliance officer she will ensure the hospital operates within all applicable laws and regulations and also protect patient rights and […]

Congratulations to Heather Hipp and Lowell Larson, Riverwood Healthcare Center Governing Board members! They are among 22 hospital and health system trustees from across Minnesota recognized for their successful completion of the Minnesota Hospital Association’s (MHA) rigorous and comprehensive trustee certification program. This certification underscores their unwavering commitment to the patients, care teams, and communities […]

Press Ganey, a global leader in healthcare experience solutions and services, has recognized Riverwood Healthcare Center as a 2024 Human Experience Guardian of Excellence Award® winner along with other healthcare organizations nationwide. This award is part of Press Ganey’s annual ranking of the top hospitals and health systems in the country, according to performance in […]

At Riverwood Healthcare Center, the new year began with a joyful celebration. On Jan. 3, the team proudly welcomed Aitkin County’s first baby of 2025, Marshall Kearns. Born to Lilly and Mitch Kearns of Aitkin, Marshall made his grand debut weighing 7 pounds, 1 ounce, and measuring 20 inches long. A heartfelt thank-you to Dr. […]

Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to introduce Jeff Bredt as Controller on the finance team. In this role he is responsible for treasury management, assisting with production of timely financial statements for leadership to make informed decisions, and assisting the chief financial officer with special projects. Bredt grew up in Burnsville and attended Winona State […]

It’s a new year and a good time to take a fresh look at your health and wellness. Here are five practical tips to kickstart healthy habits that will help you thrive throughout your life. 1. Drink more water. Why it matters: Staying hydrated improves energy levels, digestion, skin health, and overall bodily functions. How […]