Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin, MN today announced it has been named among the 2025 Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals by The Chartis Center for Rural Health. Chartis’ annual Top 100 award program honors outstanding performance among the nation’s rural hospitals based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX®.
“This recognition is an incredible honor and reaffirms our unwavering dedication to delivering high-quality healthcare to our community while ensuring efficiency and excellence in our operations,” said Ken Westman, chief executive officer of Riverwood Healthcare Center.
“The Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals award program elevates the very best performers and helps create a roadmap for those seeking to improve financial and operational performance while continuing to care for the communities they serve,” said Michael Topchik, Executive Director, The Chartis Center for Rural Health. “This is our 15th year recognizing the Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals and we’re thrilled to be able to celebrate this milestone with this year’s winners.”
The INDEX is the industry’s most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural hospital performance. Leveraging publicly available data, the INDEX is utilized nationwide by rural hospitals, health systems with rural affiliates, hospital associations, and state offices of rural health to measure and monitor performance across a variety of areas impacting hospital operations and finance.
About Riverwood Healthcare Center
As a trusted healthcare leader, Riverwood Healthcare Center delivers high-quality medical care through a team of highly skilled and caring healthcare professionals. Services include a 25-bed hospital in Aitkin offering the privacy of all single occupancy rooms; three primary care clinics with full-service retail pharmacies in Aitkin, Garrison, and McGregor; and a comprehensive specialty clinic with more than 40 physicians, surgeons and clinicians.
Riverwood is at the forefront of surgical care, offering advanced procedures, including robotic-assisted surgery. Its newly expanded surgery wing features a hybrid operating room equipped with high-tech imaging and fully integrated digital technology. Surgeons can seamlessly visualize and process data from specialty instruments, monitors, ultrasound, and x-ray on a high-definition display, enhancing precision and patient outcomes.
Emergency care services include a Level III Trauma Center, Comprehensive Advanced Life Support Hospital, Stroke Ready Hospital, and Top 100 Critical Access Hospital designation. A medical airlift service with an on-site helipad ensures rapid response in critical situations.
For more information on services and providers, go to www.riverwoodhealthcare.org