Tag Archives: Aitkin
Therapy, Spine care help local couple enjoy Japan trip
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 […]
Screenings, wellness exams protect men’s health
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 […]
Riverwood welcomes nurse anesthetist
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, […]
Navigate ATV trails safely
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 […]
Riverwood welcomes human resources director
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. […]
Riverwood, DAC announce Bunker Hill Drive building sale
Riverwood Healthcare Center and the Developmental Achievement Center (DAC) of Aitkin County closed on the sale of the log building property at 601 Bunker Hill Drive in Aitkin on April 18. In 2008, Riverwood began renting the log building from Aitkin County Growth (now Growth Innovations) to house a sleep center and several outpatient services. […]
Ryan Henry Honored with DAISY Award
Riverwood Healthcare Center is proud to announce that Ryan Henry, LPN, a nurse in the Aitkin Primary Care Clinic, has been selected as the latest recipient of the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. Henry has been with Riverwood for nearly 16 years, dedicating his entire nursing career to serving patients in the Aitkin community. […]
Untreated acid reflux can cause esophageal cancer
April is dedicated to raising awareness about esophageal cancer and educating the public on the risks posed by persistent heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Esophageal cancer is one of the deadliest cancers and is increasing faster than any other cancer in the United States. Sadly, only one in five esophageal cancer patients survives five […]
Riverwood welcomes occupational therapist
Riverwood Healthcare Center welcomes Occupational Therapist Jordyn Asplin to its Therapy Services team in Aitkin. Asplin has two years of experience practicing at a large Level II hospital in Georgia. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy, both from The College of Saint Scholastica. She describes […]
Riverwood announces patient access manager
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to announce the promotion of Stephanie Jacobs to patient access manager. In this role, Jacobs will oversee a team of 40 employees, managing admitting, scheduling, and registration. With nearly 30 years of health care experience in northern Minnesota, Jacobs brings extensive expertise to her new leadership position. In 2013, she […]
Riverwood announces 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 […]
Sage program supports access to cancer screening
Screening for breast and cervical cancer is vital to detecting cancer early when treatment is easier. Access to these cancer screenings is made easier through a program called Sage. Sage helps low-income Minnesotans who do not have adequate insurance to access breast and cervical cancer screening, diagnostic services (if screening tests are abnormal) and referral […]
A Stitch of Kindness: Janet Larson’s Handmade Gift of Warmth
In the hustle of everyday life, it’s easy to overlook the little things we take for granted—warmth, comfort, and a personal touch. For Janet Larson, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner at Riverwood Healthcare Center’s Behavioral Health clinic in Aitkin, these small gestures mean everything. For over a decade, Larson has been knitting hats for […]
Three pharmacists join Riverwood team
Riverwood Healthcare Center has recently added three pharmacists at its Aitkin hospital, including Andrea Agre, Ryan Friesen and Hannah Stephenson. Andrea Agre had served as an inpatient clinical pharmacist for Riverwood before moving to the newly expanded surgery wing to staff the satellite pharmacy. Agre brings 17 years of experience in retail and critical access […]
Riverwood welcomes family physician to Aitkin clinic
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 […]
Aitkin woman appreciates exceptional orthopaedic care
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 welcomes physician assistant for Aitkin clinic
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 welcomes new social worker
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 welcomes controller to finance team
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 […]
Riverwood welcomes behavioral health therapist
Riverwood Healthcare Center is excited to welcome Melissa Handt, MSW, LICSW, as a behavioral health therapist to its Behavioral Health provider team. In her role, Handt will assess, diagnose, and provide psychotherapy to individuals aged 10 and older. Additionally, she can offer non-clinical licensing supervision and is working toward the qualifications to provide clinical licensing […]
Holiday hours for Riverwood clinics, pharmacies
Riverwood Healthcare Center’s clinics in Aitkin, Garrison and McGregor will be closed on Thurs., Nov. 28, for the Thanksgiving holiday. The clinics will close early at noon on Tues., Dec. 24 and remain closed on Wed., Dec. 25, in observance of the Christmas holiday. They will also close early at noon on Tues., Dec. 31, […]
The Bostroms bring stories and Kona to life
Riverwood employees Dr. Erik Bostrom and Amanda Bostrom share a passion for creativity, the great outdoors, and their dog, Kona, a five-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer. Amanda, a speech therapist of seven years, and Erik, a physician for eight years, met at Riverwood and have been crafting a unique life together ever since. Their adventures often […]
Reflux, heartburn awareness at Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a time for celebration, togetherness, and indulging in delicious foods. It’s also GERD Awareness Week, when Riverwood Healthcare Center takes the time to promote awareness of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and the heightened risk of uncomfortable symptoms like heartburn and acid reflux. Here are some helpful tips to help prevent GERD symptoms while […]
Riverwood welcomes RPAP medical student
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to welcome Kyle Strate, a third-year medical student at the University of Minnesota Medical School, who is participating in the Rural Physician Associate Program (RPAP). Through the RPAP program, a third-year medical student lives in a rural community for nine months and participates in rotations of hospital and clinic care […]
Aitkin hospital nurse receives DAISY Award
The latest nurse to receive the DAISY Award, recognition for outstanding nursing, at Riverwood Healthcare Center is Lisa Streadwick, a registered nurse for the hospital inpatient unit. She has worked for Riverwood for three years, caring for medical, surgical and obstetrics patients. Riverwood participates in the DAISY Award honoring exemplary nurses who have been recognized […]
A Passion for Coaching, Shaping Lives Both On and Off the Court
For Wade Zubke, Riverwood Business Informatics Manager, coaching volleyball was never part of the plan. But life has a funny way of redirecting our paths. Since 2016, Wade has balanced his career with his passion for coaching young athletes. It all started when his daughter, Brooke, expressed interest in joining her school’s 6th-grade volleyball team. […]
Good communication, planning aid knee replacement recovery
Good communication with her health care team and planning for her recovery in advance helped Martha Morin have a better patient experience with her second knee replacement at Riverwood Healthcare Center. Morin explains, “I talked to Physician Assistant Erin Mason on the orthopaedic team about how to avoid some of the difficulties I had with […]
Riverwood to offer flu shots, Covid-19 vaccinations
Flu season is coming and getting vaccinated offers the best protection. The vaccine works to reduce the risk of getting seriously ill, including hospitalizations, pneumonia and death. Riverwood Healthcare Center will offer flu and Pfizer Covid-19 shots for the public by appointment at all three of its locations at these community clinics and times: Aitkin […]