Jeff Ehnstrom, MD, Emergency Department Medical Director
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Jeff Ehnstrom as the new medical director of its emergency department. With 23 years of medical experience, Dr. Ehnstrom brings extensive expertise to this important role.
As medical director, Dr. Ehnstrom oversees staffing, trauma patient chart reviews, and departmental decision-making in collaboration with the emergency department’s management team. Additionally, he serves as co-director of Riverwood’s trauma program, working alongside Dr. Tim LeMieur, chief of surgery.
Dr. Ehnstrom has a long-standing history with Riverwood. He joined the medical staff in 2002 as a family physician, providing comprehensive care to patients of all ages. In 2014, he transitioned to emergency medicine, where he has dedicated the past decade to serving patients in urgent and critical situations.
“Dr. Ehnstrom is a highly skilled emergency physician with more than 20 years of experience in both clinical and emergency care,” said Dr. David Taylor, Riverwood’s chief medical officer. “His leadership will strengthen our emergency department, ensuring we continue delivering high-quality, patient-centered care to the rural communities we serve.”
Dr. Ehnstrom earned his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Minnesota and completed a family medicine residency at the University of Minnesota Memorial Family Practice in Minneapolis.
Reflecting on his new role, Dr. Ehnstrom expressed appreciation for his colleagues and the community he serves: “I hope to continue the outstanding leadership that Dr. Jim Harris provided to this department throughout his career. I work with an incredible team—our physicians, nurses, and support staff—who make every day rewarding.”
He adds, “Medicine has been a fulfilling career for me. I am so fortunate to do something that I enjoy in a wonderful facility and community. I truly feel it is a privilege to care for my patients in both their best and worst times. Some of my best friends started out as my patients years ago.”
Passionate about medicine and community involvement, Dr. Ehnstrom has served as a volunteer assistant coach for Aitkin High School’s baseball team since 2010 and has coached youth teams in football, basketball, hockey, and baseball. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time at the lake with his family and tackling home improvement projects, including a recently completed bathroom remodel.
Dr. Ehnstrom and his wife of 30 years, Jennifer, have four adult children, Nathan, Taylor, Allison and Zack, and two grandchildren, Hallie and Iris. Their children are actively pursuing careers in education, nursing, and medicine, with two currently preparing for medical school.