Tag Archives: Aitkin
Riverwood welcomes RPAP medical student
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to welcome Matt Foman, 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 […]
Riverwood announces medical records host transition, postponement of new clinic in McGregor
The Riverwood Healthcare Center Board of Directors recently approved investing in the transition to a new electronic health record system, which has great strategic significance for the organization’s future. “With the significant cost of the electronic health record transition, we needed to re-evaluate our two major construction projects,” said Riverwood Chief Executive Officer Ken Westman. […]
Spine procedures help patient enjoy pain-free living
Linda Causton suffered from intense pain that took a toll on her enjoyment of life over a period of many years. She relates her positive experience of getting pain relief from the Neck, Back and Spine team at Riverwood’s specialty clinic in Aitkin. “Having a sore neck is a terrible experience, especially when you’ve been […]
New family physician returns home to begin practice
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to announce the addition of a new family physician to its medical staff. Dr. Chris Hughes will begin his practice in Aitkin in mid-August. He will offer the full spectrum of family medicine, including obstetric care and delivery, and do on-call rotations for inpatient care. Hughes earned his medical degree […]
Construction on hospital surgery expansion to begin
During the week of July 25-29, construction work will begin on Riverwood Healthcare Center’s hospital and clinic expansion for surgical services in Aitkin. Riverwood will host a groundbreaking ceremony on Tues, July 26, at 4 p.m. This event will be held on the northeast side of the parking lot in the Healing Garden. The program […]
Why get an annual medical checkup?
If you feel great, you’re healthy, and you’ve never been diagnosed with a chronic illness or experienced a major medical issue, do you really need to make time for an annual check-up? The answer is a definitive YES. Like children and teens, adults of all ages can benefit from having regular physical exams, including men […]
Acid reflux can cause esophageal cancer
The month of April is dedicated to promoting Esophageal Cancer Awareness and education around the risk posed by persistent heartburn or acid reflux disease. An estimated one in every five American adults suffers from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This is a chronic condition caused by changes in the lower esophageal valve that allows contents to […]
Riverwood presents DAISY Award to ER nurse
Nurses at Riverwood Healthcare Center are being honored with the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s program to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform every day. The second DAISY Team award recipient is Bonnie Neumann, a registered nurse in Riverwood Healthcare Center’s Emergency Department. She has more than […]
Hernia surgery care exceeds patient’s expectations
After Dave Sadlowsky began experiencing symptoms for an inguinal hernia, he started to have a difficult time standing at work and at football games for any length of time. “Given that I am not a very experienced or comfortable patient, I was somewhat apprehensive about having a surgical procedure. However, as the person who does […]
MPR features Riverwood on workforce shortages nationwide
On Feb. 17, Riverwood Healthcare Center was featured in a Minnesota Public Radio story on the shortage of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Riverwood shared some of the difficult challenges for our staff and organization, which reflects what hospitals statewide and nationwide are facing. Through it all, Riverwood’s staff has remained resilient and committed […]
Pilot praises shoulder surgery care
As a pilot for North Memorial Health in the Brainerd area, Jeff Benson likes to stay fit with regular workouts. However, while working out with his 18-year-old son, he did a bench press weight lift that left him with a sore left shoulder, and ultimately an injury that needed surgical repair. “I laid off working […]
Equipment upgrade supports breathing for trauma, surgery patients
Helping patients breathe in an emergency situation is vital for our Emergency Department staff. An upgraded GlideScope tool is proving invaluable in supporting patient care in both Riverwood’s Emergency and Surgery departments. The GlideScope is a tool used in the OR and ER for placement of breathing tubes for patients that need one, either in […]
Breast cancer patient praises Riverwood care
Kris Palmer shared this letter praising her excellent care for breast cancer at Riverwood Healthcare Center. “I am writing today to share with you that I feel blessed to be a patient at Riverwood. Let me share some background. My husband, John, and I both grew up in the Twin Cities and raised our two […]
Riverwood Healthcare hires new CEO
The Riverwood Healthcare Center Governing Board of Directors has selected Ken Westman as chief executive officer with an anticipated start date of Feb. 14, 2022. Westman is an experienced and accomplished health care executive with 25 years of successful and progressive experience with people, culture, and sustainability for health care institutions. For the past 10 […]
Riverwood announces new emergency department manager
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to introduce Andrew Van Santen as the new manager of its hospital emergency department. Van Santen began his nursing career 20 years ago in Crosby, first working at a long-term care center and then transitioning to hospital nursing and caring for medical/surgical patients. He worked as a registered nurse in […]
Riverwood recognizes local nurse with Daisy Award
Nurses at Riverwood Healthcare Center are being honored with the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s program to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform every day. The first DAISY Team award recipient is Rose Appel, a licensed practical nurse who has cared for Riverwood hospital patients for more […]
Riverwood welcomes RPAP medical student
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to welcome Joel Madson, a third-year medical student at the University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth, 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 […]
Riverwood announces two capital projects
The Riverwood Healthcare Center Board of Directors has approved moving ahead with two major capital projects that will enhance care for patients well into the future. Surgery wing addition The hospital’s surgery department, constructed in 2002 when a new hospital and clinic facility was built on Bunker Hill Drive, is in need of updating and […]
Orthopaedic surgeon joins MCO practice
Fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon Jeffrey Klassen, M.D., who specializes in shoulder, elbow and knee injuries and conditions of all age groups, has joined the Minnesota Center for Orthopaedics and will begin treating patients at Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin and Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby in January. “We are excited to add one of the […]
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 only Minnesota hospital to receive award for emergency care excellence
Press Ganey has named Riverwood Healthcare Center a 2020 Guardian of Excellence Award® winner. Other than a Woodbury, Minn. surgery center, Riverwood is the only Minnesota hospital to receive this award. This award recognizes top-performing health care organizations that have achieved the 95th percentile or above for performance on patient experience. For this award, Riverwood’s […]
Aitkin hospital earns Joint Commission, five-star approvals
Riverwood Healthcare Center has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Critical Access Hospital Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects a health care organization’s commitment to providing safe and quality patient care. For the third time since its initial accreditation […]
Riverwood has 49-year history with RPAP
In mid-December, Riverwood was pleased to host Dr. Ray Christensen, faculty member from the Rural Physician Associate Program (RPAP), for a site visit. Over the past 49 years, Riverwood has hosted and mentored 40 RPAP students, with the first one in 1971! Through the RPAP program, a third-year medical student lives in a rural community […]
Riverwood welcomes new board member
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to announce the appointment of Lowell Larson to the Governing Board of Directors. “On behalf of our governing board, I’m pleased to welcome Lowell, an Aitkin area resident whose familiarity with the communities we serve is a great asset,” says Riverwood CEO Todd Sandberg. “He brings a combination of business […]