Tag Archives: Riverwood Healthcare
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 (GERD). Esophageal cancer is deadly and is increasing at a faster rate than any other cancer in the United States. Only one in five esophageal cancer patients will survive five years […]
Understanding Parkinson’s disease, treatment options
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that primarily affects movement. It develops gradually, often starting with barely noticeable tremors in one hand. As the disease progresses, symptoms become more pronounced, impacting various aspects of daily life. While there is currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease, several treatment options are available to manage symptoms and […]
Bonnie O’Neil wraps up 50 years with Riverwood
Bonnie O’Neil wasn’t looking for a job when she was admitted to the Aitkin Community Hospital in Aitkin in 1973. She had suffered a broken leg in a snowmobile accident and was in traction in the hospital for 100 days. During her follow-up care at the clinic, which at that time was staffed by only […]
Wilson family nursing scholarship open for applications
In memory of the late Roger and Sandy Wilson, the Wilson family of Aitkin created the Roger and Sandy Wilson Scholarship to help individuals better themselves. The fund is administered by Riverwood Foundation at Riverwood Healthcare Center. These scholarship funds are intended to ease the burden of tuition costs so that aspiring students or health care […]
Riverwood to host Annual Meeting
The Aitkin Community Hospital, Inc., dba Riverwood Healthcare Center, will host its 76th Annual Meeting on Wed., March 27, at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom with participants signing in remotely via phone or computer. Riverwood will present an overview of the finances for the organization, the surgery expansion project, a new EPIC electronic health record implementation, […]
Riverwood dietitians offer nutrition tips
March is National Nutrition Month, and this year’s theme is Beyond the Table. This is a time to recognize our team of registered dietitians at Riverwood Healthcare Center, Megan Perpich and Melissa Te Slaa. In their role as registered dietitians, they are food and nutrition experts, who are uniquely educated and trained to create a […]
Colon cancer screening saves lives
Colon cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, develops in the colon or rectum and typically begins as small, noncancerous clumps of cells called polyps. Over time, these polyps can turn into cancer, making regular screenings and awareness campaigns critical for early detection. During National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in March public health campaigns seek to […]
Riverwood gets grant to address hunger among seniors
Riverwood Healthcare Center, with the help of the Aitkin Farmers Market Hub and Aitkin County Public Health, was awarded the Minnesota Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) grant by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). The LFPA program is a new grant from MDA to fund projects that buy local food, primarily from socially disadvantaged and […]
National list of rural health care execs includes Riverwood CEO
In a recent issue of Becker’s Hospital Review features Riverwood Healthcare Center CEO Ken Westman on its national list of “110 rural hospital and health system CEOs to know” for 2024. This list highlights 110 top executives from rural hospitals across the United States with three other Minnesota CEOs, President and CEO Karla Eischens of […]
Nurse practitioner joins cardiology team at Riverwood
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to announce that Nurse Practitioner Laura Biewer of the Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute (MHI) has joined the cardiology provider team. Specializing in cardiovascular and preventative cardiology, Biewer will work closely on patient care with Dr. Peter Stokman and Dr. Tim Dirks, MHI cardiologists who have been offering care at […]
Embrace heart-healthy habits
February is not just the month of love. It’s also Heart Health Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about cardiovascular health. Riverwood Healthcare Center is taking this opportunity to share some practical tips for maintaining a strong heart. Nutrition, exercise and stress management all play a role in promoting cardiovascular well-being. The importance of […]
Riverwood earns Joint Commission accreditation for lab services
Riverwood Healthcare Center has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Accreditation for its laboratory services 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. Riverwood underwent a rigorous, unannounced onsite review […]
Riverwood presents DAISY Award to obstetrics nurse
Riverwood Healthcare Center participates in the DAISY Award honoring exemplary nurses who have been recognized by a patient for their extraordinary act of compassion or a relationship that they have created with a patient that truly made a difference. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s program to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform […]
Riverwood announces new Radiology manager
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to introduce Katie Pudas as the new Radiology Department manager. Pudas, former radiology technologist who served in the role of supervisor of the department for the past four of five years at Riverwood, manages the daily operations of the diagnostic imaging department to ensure alignment with organizational objectives and regulatory […]
Riverwood welcomes first 2024 baby
It’s another special delivery at Riverwood Healthcare Center with the first baby of 2024 for Aitkin County. On Jan. 10, the hospital staff warmly welcomed beautiful Millie Lou, the first child born to Chloe and Chase Ahonen of Jacobson, Minn. Delivered by Nurse Midwife Megan Workman and Dr. Angela Faulkner, Millie weighed 7 lb., 8 […]
Cervical cancer awareness for women
Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the cervix, the lower part of the uterus connecting to the vagina. It is a significant global health concern, but with advancements in medical science, early detection, and appropriate treatment, the prognosis has improved significantly. Learn about how cervical cancer is detected, the importance of […]
Nurse Practitioner joins Riverwood McGregor Clinic
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to introduce Nurse Practitioner Tyler Zuk, who joined the primary care staff at its McGregor clinic in January. Growing up on a farm in Kettle River, Minn., Zuk earned his associate degree in nursing from Lake Superior College and went on to complete his master’s degree in nursing from Walden […]
Riverwood introduces new orthopaedic provider
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to welcome a new member to its orthopaedic team in Aitkin, Nurse Practitioner Jeff Temple. With a wide array of clinical and surgical experience, Temple has worked in the orthopaedics field for more than 35 years, beginning his career as a surgical technologist in 1987. He has advanced training and […]
Holiday Mental Health Tips
The holiday season, often portrayed as a time of joy, can also bring about stress and anxiety for many. Almost two-thirds of people with mental illness feel the holidays worsen their conditions. However, it is important to remember we have more control than we think we do. Prioritize your mental well-being It’s easy to […]
Holiday hours for Riverwood clinics, pharmacies
Riverwood Healthcare Center’s clinics in Aitkin, Garrison and McGregor will be closed Mon., Dec. 25, and Mon., Jan. 1, in observance of the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. The Same Day clinic in Aitkin will follow the same holiday closing schedule for Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. Riverwood’s Saturday clinic in Aitkin will remain open […]
Nurse anesthetist joins Riverwood
Kelly Anderson, a certified nurse anesthetist (CRNA), has joined Riverwood Healthcare Center’s surgical services provider team. Anderson brings more than 20 years of anesthesia experience, including 14 years at Regions Hospital’s, a Level I Trauma Center in St. Paul, Minn., and eight years with South Valley Anesthesia at Regina Hospital in Hastings. During her CRNA […]
Lights of Love to honor loved ones
Since 1984, the Riverwood Auxiliary has annually honored and memorialized the loved ones of area residents with the Lights of Love program, including a Christmas tree lighting ceremony in the lobby of the hospital. This year’s ceremony will take place on Sun., Nov. 19, at 1:00 p.m. in the hospital lobby. A short program will […]
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 […]
Get help to quit smoking
Quitting smoking or tobacco use isn’t easy. It takes time and a plan. You don’t have to stop smoking in one day. Some smokers choose the Great American Smokeout event on the third Thursday in November as their day to start the journey toward a smoke-free life. On Nov. 16, join thousands of smokers across […]
Riverwood clinics earn Health Care Home certification
The Minnesota Department of Health has recertified Riverwood Healthcare Center as a Health Care Home. This means that Riverwood primary care clinics in Aitkin, Garrison and McGregor have met a set of rigorous standards to provide patient and family-centered care and will continue working to improve the quality, experience, and value of care. Health Care […]
Physical therapist joins Riverwood Healthcare
Heather Molenda, physical therapist, has joined Riverwood Healthcare Center’s therapy services team. Molenda’s prior experience includes working in physical therapy roles for 30 years in a variety of health care settings, including acute care, outpatient care, transitional care and homecare. She spent 16 years working with patients with complex conditions at MHealth Fairview University of […]
Riverwood to offer Covid-19 vaccinations
The Covid-19 vaccine is now available locally, and Riverwood Healthcare Center will offer two public clinics where individuals may get both the flu and Covid shots the last week in October. McGregor Clinic: Wed., Oct. 25, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. Aitkin Clinic: Thurs., Oct. 26, 9 a.m. to 12 […]
Breast cancer patient urges women to get screened
While breast cancer most often occurs in women 50 and older, some women face this diagnosis at a younger age. A mother of three young children, Mary Voss was 44 years old when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Voss received treatment and continued with recommended annual mammograms. A routine mammogram at Riverwood Healthcare Center […]
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 […]
General surgeon brings advanced training in endoscopic surgery
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to announce the addition of Evan Kelly, MD, to its general surgery team. Dr. Kelly was the fifteenth surgeon to complete a one-year Fellowship training program for advanced surgical training at the Minnesota Institute for Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIMIS) at Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin and Cuyuna Regional Medical Center […]