Tag Archives: Garrison
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. […]
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, […]
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 […]
Riverwood Auxiliary celebrates 70 years of service
In 1954, a dedicated group of women saw the need to support the new Aitkin Community Hospital, which opened its doors in January 1955 following a groundswell of support from residents and community fundraising. This year, the Riverwood Healthcare Center Auxiliary is celebrating 70 years of service to the hospital, clinics and communities Riverwood serves. […]
Riverwood welcomes new human resources officer
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to introduce Jessica Schmiesing as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) and member of its senior management team. She is responsible for the overall human resources strategy, operations, and administration. Schmiesing grew up in Central Minnesota and graduated from Little Falls High School. She attended Hamline University, where she double majored […]
Local woman earns Deaf studies, national sign language honors
In mid-May, Vicki Johnson-Sherbrooke, who works in housekeeping for Riverwood Healthcare Center at its Garrison clinic, graduated with high honors earning a Deaf Studies Certificate at Central Lakes College in Brainerd. The program covered the basics about American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf culture. Johnson-Sherbrooke, who moved from the Twin Cities to Aitkin in 2006, […]
Riverwood celebrates staff milestone anniversaries
On Nov. 2, Riverwood Healthcare Center honored 46 employees and retirees who have celebrated milestone anniversaries or retirement in the past year at a special dinner at Ruttger’s Bay Lake Lodge. Their collective years of service total 880 years! Riverwood CEO Ken Westman opened the program with a warm welcome for the employees and retirees […]
Online app helps manage medications
Managing prescription medications can be time-consuming and complex. Now there’s an online tool called RxLocal that can help make the process easier. “Mobile apps like RxLocal streamline pharmacy service and communication, saving patients time and effort during a busy day,” explains Spencer Page, director of pharmacy at Riverwood Healthcare Center. The RxLocal app provides a […]
Riverwood receives statewide award for community benefits
Riverwood Healthcare Center was recognized by the Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) for one of the outstanding community programs in Minnesota with its Riverwood Connects program. At the recent 2023 MHA annual meeting, Riverwood representatives accepted the award for exemplary achievement in community benefits for addressing social determinants of health with patients. MHA shared these comments […]
Riverwood 2023 flu clinics open
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 clinics for the public by appointment at all three of its locations at these times: Aitkin Clinic: Thursdays, Oct. 5, 12, 19 […]
Riverwood Diabetes Education program earns national recognition
The Riverwood Healthcare Center diabetes self-management education program in Aitkin, Minn., has been awarded continued Recognition status from the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Riverwood’s program was originally recognized by the ADA in 2005. The ADA Education Recognition effort, begun in 1986, is a voluntary process that assures that approved education services have met the National […]
Annual medical exam virtual seminar
Are you making time for routine medical exams for yourself and family members? Find out how an annual checkup can support overall wellness and help prevent disease, saving lives when health issues are diagnosed early. Attend a virtual video seminar, “Annual Exam: Your Health Lifeline”, on Tues., Oct. 25, 2:00 to 2:30 p.m., hosted by […]
Riverwood welcomes another nurse practitioner
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to introduce Nurse Practitioner Abbey Baillif, who joins Riverwood’s family medicine staff in October. Baillif earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth. She brings experience in family medicine, inpatient palliative care, elder care and urgent care. Baillif describes her approach to medical […]
Riverwood 2022 flu clinics open
Flu season is coming and getting vaccinated can protect you and your family. The vaccine works to reduce the risk of getting seriously ill, including hospitalizations, pneumonia and death. Minnesota influenza outbreaks typically occur between December through April. Antibodies develop about two weeks after getting the vaccine. For the elderly and those with immuno-compromising diseases, […]
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 […]
Riverwood 2021 flu clinics 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. For the elderly and those with immuno-compromising diseases, the immune system is often slower to respond. Flu shots or other vaccines […]
Emily’s Gift fund supports cancer patients
A cancer diagnosis can often lead to financial hardship. That’s why Riverwood Foundation of Riverwood Healthcare Center is introducing a new fund to offer cancer patients some one-time assistance with living expenses. The Emily’s Gift Cancer Fund began with a student in Aitkin whose heart went out to those undergoing cancer treatments. As a high […]
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 […]
Holiday hours for Riverwood clinics, pharmacies
Riverwood Healthcare Center’s clinics in Aitkin, Garrison and McGregor will be closed for the Christmas and New Year’s Day holidays on Fri., Dec. 25, and Fri., Jan. 1. The clinics will also close early at noon on Thurs., Dec. 24, and Thurs., Dec. 31 for the Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve holidays. The Urgent […]
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 clinics close for July 4th holiday
Riverwood Healthcare Center’s clinics in Aitkin, Garrison and McGregor will be closed for the July 4th holiday on Fri., July 3. The Urgent Care clinic in Aitkin will also be closed on July 3. Urgent Care hours are typically in 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for major holidays. The Aitkin clinic […]
Riverwood lifts some visitor restrictions
While we continue to navigate the coronavirus pandemic, Riverwood Healthcare Center has limited visitors to patients in our hospital, emergency department and clinics. We have been making compassionate exceptions and will continue to do so. Due to a low incidence of COVID-19 illness at this time, Riverwood is lifting some of the restrictions as follows: […]
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 […]
Riverwood introduces telehealth virtual visits
Riverwood Healthcare Center is tapping virtual technology to offer patients the opportunity to meet with their health care providers remotely from home. To enable a virtual visit with audio and video, those with an internet connection can do this from home. Devices that may be used include a smartphone, laptop, iPad, tablet, or a computer […]
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 […]
Riverwood clinics to close for holidays
Riverwood Healthcare Center’s clinics in Aitkin, Garrison and McGregor will be closed for the Christmas and New Year’s Day holidays on Wed., Dec. 25, and Wed., Jan. 1. The clinics will also close early at noon on Tues., Dec. 24, and Tues., Dec. 31 for the Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve holidays. The Urgent […]
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 clinics close for July 4th holiday
Riverwood Healthcare Center’s clinics in Aitkin, Garrison and McGregor will be closed for the holiday on Thurs., July 4. The Urgent Care clinic in Aitkin will also be closed on July 4, and will be open Fri., July 5. Urgent Care hours are typically in 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for […]