
Melissa Herbranson, MD
Riverwood Healthcare Center welcomes Dr. Melissa Herbranson, family physician, to its medical staff, which now totals11 physicians, six nurse practitioners, one physician assistant, and one nurse midwife who deliver primary care in Aitkin, Garrison and McGregor. She will practice primarily in Aitkin.
“We are excited to welcome Dr. Herbranson with her passion for delivering rural family medicine and knowledge of our community,” said Dr. Mark Heggem, chief medical officer at Riverwood. “She brings another provider option for obstetric and pediatric care as well as younger to older adult care.
Recently, Herbranson completed a University of Minnesota Family Medicine residency at St. Joseph’s Hospital in St. Paul. A graduate of the University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth, she earned her bachelor’s degree in cellular biology and genetics at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. Growing up, she lived in several communities in Minnesota and Wisconsin and has family ties and connections in Aitkin County
Herbranson looks forward to practicing the full spectrum of family medicine for all life stages, including obstetrics and pediatrics. She describes her personal philosophy/approach to medical care: “Helping individuals understand and manage their health issues is very important to me. I find guiding patients through medical crises and encouraging healthy lifestyles especially rewarding.”
Herbranson added: “Personal connections are what brings me joy and fulfillment in my medical practice, so I look forward to connecting with my patients in the community as well as the clinic. The wide scope of health services and the high quality of Riverwood’s hospital and clinic facilities are simply amazing.”
Melissa and husband Jon have a 19-month-old daughter, Brooke, and now live just east of Aitkin in the Kimberly area. Her hobbies include hunting and fishing combined with knitting, baking and gardening.
For an appointment with Dr. Herbranson, call Riverwood’s appointments line at (218) 927-2157, or toll-free at (888) 270-1882.