Tag Archives: Aitkin County
Riverwood begins first COVID-19 vaccine distribution
On Jan. 27, Riverwood Healthcare Center begins its first COVID-19 vaccine distribution for older patients with a limited supply of vaccine. Riverwood is using this vaccine to vaccinate about 700 Riverwood patients on Jan. 27 in Aitkin. Given the limited vaccine supply, a targeted group of patients at higher risk for getting seriously ill with […]
Riverwood virtual forum with COVID-19 update
Riverwood Healthcare Center continues to offer virtual forums with COVID-19 updates from Dr. David Taylor, Chief Medical Officer, several times monthly. The next forum will be offered via Zoom on Thurs., Jan. 7, 2:30-3:00 p.m. Sign up with an opportunity to submit questions at https://rwhealth.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VOJgUHJIS6-ktUMMGQqBQA Dr. Taylor will address what’s happening locally with incidence of […]
COVID-19 vaccination begins at Riverwood
On Dec. 18, Riverwood Healthcare Center received its first shipment of 100 doses of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine. Per federal guidelines, Riverwood is offering the vaccine initially to its frontline healthcare workers. “We are happy to begin distributing the vaccine to our staff,” said Dr. David Taylor, chief medical officer. “The side effects are minimal […]
Riverwood welcomes OB/GYN physician
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to announce that Dr. Jennifer Tessmer-Tuck, obstetrician and gynecologist, has joined its medical staff. Dr. Tessmer-Tuck joins Drs. Michael and Rachel Cady and Dr. Ann Johnson in offering obstetric and gynecological care at Riverwood’s specialty clinic in Aitkin. She specializes in high-risk obstetric care, teamwork education and general gynecology. Most […]
Riverwood update on visitor restrictions, testing
Given the recent surge of COVID-19 cases in Aitkin County, Riverwood Healthcare Center’s visitor restrictions have changed effective Nov. 6. Riverwood has activated full visitor restrictions with no visitors permitted for hospital and clinic patients with only a few compassionate exceptions. There will be exceptions made for minor children, vulnerable adults, some surgical patients, and […]
Riverwood 2020 flu clinics to open
Flu season is coming and getting vaccinated is more important than ever during the coronavirus pandemic. Minnesota influenza outbreaks typically occur between December through April. Antibodies develop about two weeks after getting the vaccine, but drop in the elderly and those with immuno-compromising diseases. Riverwood Healthcare Center will offer flu clinics for the public by […]
Riverwood update on COVID-19 testing
As we continue to cope with the coronavirus pandemic, Riverwood Healthcare has comprehensive screening and precautions in place to keep patients, visitors and its staff safe. “We’re testing anyone with symptoms or exposure to the virus at our Aitkin and McGregor locations,” said Dr. David Taylor, Riverwood’s chief medical officer who has been leading the […]
Riverwood offers COVID-19 testing update
Riverwood Healthcare Center continues to offer testing for COVID-19 at its Aitkin and McGregor locations. With a limited amount of test supplies, Riverwood is giving priority for testing to those who have COVID-19-like symptoms and meet these criteria: 1) Over age 65, 2) Living in or recently in congregate care (e.g. nursing homes, assisted living), […]
Dr. Paul Severson shares elective surgeries update on KKIN Radio
Dr. Paul Severson, General Surgeon and Chief of Surgery at Riverwood Healthcare Center, was interviewed about elective surgeries reopening on KKIN Radio’s Community Connections program on May 12, 2020. LISTEN TO FULL INTERVIEW “We are happy to bring elective surgeries back to Riverwood,” Dr. Severson said. ”Per Governor Walz’s order allowing elective surgeries to resume […]
Pay attention to your overall health
With a huge focus on COVID-19 and how to prevent it, there’s still a need to pay attention to all aspects of your health. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, heart or lung disease, or other acute or chronic conditions, don’t ignore warning signs that need medical attention. Call your health care provider to […]
Dr. David Taylor shares COVID-19 update on KKIN Radio
With the continued COVID-19 outbreak, Dr. David Taylor, Riverwood Healthcare’s emergency medicine physician and chief medical officer, offered up-to-date information about the coronavirus on KKIN Radio’s Community Connections program. LISTEN TO FULL INTERVIEW “The good news is that the Shelter in Place order from Gov. Tim Walz is working to reduce the spread of COVID-19 […]
Riverwood makes changes to prevent COVID-19 spread
Riverwood Healthcare is taking additional steps to help control the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus), including doing screening for respiratory symptoms at clinic entrances, postponing routine, non-critical clinic appointments and elective surgeries, and offering phone appointments with health care providers. Although at the time of this writing, there have no positive cases in Aitkin County, “it […]
Dr. David Taylor gives COVID-19 interview on KKIN Radio
In February, Riverwood Healthcare set up an Incident Command unit to cover the information, preparation, and medical needs surrounding COVID-19, with Dr. Taylor as commander and Director of Nursing Jeanine LeBlanc as operations manager. All other departments at Riverwood are involved as needed for expertise in their areas. The Incident Command unit began meeting daily, […]
Riverwood activates coronavirus preparedness plan
In late February, Riverwood Healthcare Center began preparedness activities to plan for the potential arrival of patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Dr. David Taylor, chief medical officer for Riverwood, along with Jeanine LeBlanc, director of nursing, is leading an emergency preparedness team that is meeting weekly, or more frequently as needed, to take steps […]
Fall 2019 flu shots at Riverwood clinics
Influenza or “flu” is a serious contagious disease that kills thousands every year and is the most frequent cause of death from a vaccine preventable disease in the United States. Minnesota influenza outbreaks typically occur between December through April. Antibodies develop about two weeks after getting the vaccine, but drops in the elderly and those […]
Riverwood Diabetes Education program merits national recognition
The Riverwood Healthcare Center diabetes self-management education program has been awarded continued Recognition status from the American Diabetes Association. The ADA Education Recognition assures that approved education services have met the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education Services. Riverwood’s program was originally recognized in 2005. Programs that achieve Recognition status have a staff of knowledgeable […]
Riverwood flu clinics open
Influenza or “flu” is a serious contagious disease that kills thousands every year and is the most frequent cause of death from a vaccine preventable disease in the United States. Minnesota influenza outbreaks typically occur between December through April. Antibodies develop about two weeks after getting the vaccine, but drops in the elderly and those […]
Gala focus is health care for children
Join your friends and neighbors for an evening of fine dining and fun while contributing to a health care cause. Riverwood Healthcare is hosting its annual Gala on Sat., Oct. 13, at the 40 Club Banquet Center in Aitkin. SEE INVITATION This festive event, which begins at 5:30 p.m., will feature an exquisite plated meal […]
What’s up at Riverwood Healthcare?
The Spring issue of our Healthy Living newsletter highlights orthopaedic care, introduces several new providers and presents information on colon cancer care and screening. Here’s a quick summary of all the news items with links to more information: Learn about Hand and Wrist orthopaedic care at Riverwood in a QA with Dr. Susan Moen and […]
Riverwood welcomes first 2018 baby
The first baby of the year didn’t wait for her mother to get to the hospital in Aitkin. At 8:29 a.m. on Jan. 19, Kelsey Henson had to do a self-delivery in the car while a friend was driving. Her daughter, Javeah Mae, arrived in a hurry midway between Brainerd and Aitkin near Deerwood. The […]
Help prevent spread of flu illness
In the past few weeks, Riverwood Healthcare Center has seen a surge in patients coming into its clinics, emergency department and hospital for respiratory infections and influenza-like illness. On Jan. 2, Riverwood posted hospital visitor restrictions and encourages local residents to NOT visit hospitalized patients if they have: 1) flu-like symptoms of a fever, cough […]
Riverwood celebrates staff milestone anniversaries
On Nov. 9, Riverwood Healthcare Center honored 45 employees and retirees who have celebrated milestone anniversaries or retirement in the past year at a special dinner at Ruttger’s. Their collective years of service, ranging from 4 to 40, totals 776! The program focused on celebrating the honored employees individually and included sharing of valued contributions […]
What’s new at Riverwood Healthcare?
The winter issue of our Healthy Living newsletter highlights a permanent solution for acid reflux disease as well as other news on orthopaedics, kidney dialysis coming to Aitkin and more. Here’s a quick summary of all the news items with links to more information: The LINX system, an advanced solution for treating acid reflux, is […]
Two new therapists bring pediatric expertise to Riverwood
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to announce the addition to its Rehabilitation staff of two new therapists for occupational therapy and speech therapy. Both bring expertise in pediatric rehabilitation and see patients primarily in Aitkin. Speech therapy for children will be provided in McGregor too. Amanda Genz, occupational therapist, brings eight years of previous experience […]
Riverwood 2017 flu clinics open
Influenza or “flu” is a serious contagious disease that kills thousands every year and is the most frequent cause of death from a vaccine preventable disease in the United States. Minnesota influenza outbreaks typically occur between December through April. Antibodies develop about two weeks after getting the vaccine, but drops in the elderly and those […]
Health and Wellness Fair coming
By Sarah Libbon, Voyageur Press of McGregor Five local organizations are joining together to host a first-of-its-kind Health & Wellness Fair in McGregor on Wed., Sept. 27, 3-6 p.m., at the McGregor Community Center. Riverwood Healthcare Center, ANGELS of McGregor, McGregor Community Education, McGregor Lions, and Aitkin County Public Health are sponsors of the free […]
Grief group to meet in Aitkin
For those grieving the death of a loved one, information and help is available at a grief support group to be held in Aitkin this fall. The 6-week grief group series will meet Thursdays from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m., Sept 21 and 28, and Oct 5, 12, 19 and 26, at Riverwood Healthcare Center, conference […]
Mental Illness: Let’s Talk about It
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Janet Larson recently did a presentation on “Mental Health & You” at Riverwood Healthcare Center. Below are key messages she shared. When you think of someone with mental illness, what image pops into your mind? Is the person homeless? Does he or she look disheveled, scary? Is he or she […]
Riverwood Healthcare ranks among Top 20 Critical Access Hospitals nationally
Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin, Minn., was recently named one of the Top 20 Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) in the country. These 20 rural hospitals, including Riverwood, scored highest among critical access hospitals nationwide on iVantage Health Analytics’ Hospital Strength Index™, the first nationwide hospital rating system to evaluate rural and critical access hospitals based […]
KBJR 6 TV puts spotlight on Farm2Riverwood program
KBJR 6 TV (Duluth) aired a story on the new Farm2Riverwoodprogram at Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin on the 6 PM newscast on April 27. Riverwood food service manager Lou Ann Carlson was interviewed along with Jodi Olson, local farmer who provided chicken from Ole’s Acres, about this unique partnership offering healthy, local food to […]