Tag Archives: Riverwood Healthcare
Vitamin D benefits: A powerful tool to support good health
Your body makes vitamin D when your bare skin is exposed to the sun, about 10,000 units of vitamin D in 10 minutes of sun exposure, depending on time of the year and the amount of melanin in the skin. According to Dr. Tim Arnold, family physician at Riverwood Healthcare Center, it’s good to get […]
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 […]
Riverwood to host Annual Meeting
The Aitkin Community Hospital, Inc., dba Riverwood Healthcare Center, will host its 74th Annual Meeting on Tues., March 29, at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom with participants signing in remotely via phone or computer. Riverwood will present an overview of its expansion projects, finances for the organization and its operations along with updates on COVID-19 and […]
March is National Nutrition Month
March is National Nutrition Month. It is a great time of year to review your eating habits and learn something new about proper nutrition. This year’s theme is “Celebrate a World of Flavors”. Learn how to incorporate different flavors when planning your meals and snacks. SEE FLYER March 9th is National Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day. […]
Colon cancer is preventable
On average, your risk of getting colon cancer is 1 in 20, varying a bit according to individual risk factors. That is why Riverwood Healthcare Center has joined the American Cancer Society in recognizing National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in March. Testing is key to preventing colon cancer or finding it early. Why? Answer true […]
Medical Lab or Surgical Tech Scholarship open for applications
Riverwood Healthcare Center is introducing a new annual scholarship with awards to eligible high school students in the Aitkin County community (Aitkin, Hill City and McGregor) and/or current employees who wish to pursue a degree in healthcare. In 2022, applications are open to students wishing to pursue a career as a medical laboratory tech and/or […]
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 […]
Home remedies for sinus infections
When pressure builds in your forehead, your nose is running, and you just don’t feel good, you may have a sinus infection, or sinusitis. “Most sinus infections will resolve themselves in seven to 10 days, just by taking care of yourself at home,” said Riverwood Physician Assistant Emily Goranson. “Start taking an antihistamine during the […]
Riverwood patient receives exceptional respiratory care
Nola, age 13, is grateful for respiratory therapy treatment that keeps her safe and close to home in McGregor, according to her mother, Kari Horbacz. Each month for the past year and a half, Nola has been getting a Pentamidine treatment from a respiratory therapist at Riverwood Healthcare Center. This medication is administered via a […]
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 […]
The Riverwood patient experience sparks gratitude
At Riverwood Healthcare Center, we continue to be grateful for our patients and staff. Here we share our reasons why. The heart of Riverwood lies within our patients and staff. During this pandemic staff and patients have shown resilience, remarkable collaboration, innovation and a sense of community as we all come together to provide compassion […]
Aesthetic Skincare 10% off for the holidays
Are you looking for the perfect, last minute gift for the holidays? Melissa Herbranson, MD, and Megan Workman, DNP, CNM specialize in a variety of aesthetic skincare. Riverwood Healthcare Center is offering 10% off all Aesthetic Retail Skincare Services and pharmaceutical grade skincare products from Skin Medica® at Aitkin Pharmacy @ Paulbeck’s Market. This discount […]
3D mammography goes live in McGregor
In mid-December, Riverwood Healthcare Center began providing 3D mammography exams at its McGregor clinic. “We are thrilled to provide 3D mammography to our community,” said Dr. Aaron Jordan, family physician at Riverwood’s McGregor clinic. “It can help detect cancer earlier because it offers multiple images of breast tissue for greater clarity and accuracy. There’s also […]
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 […]
New Covid testing process, location in Aitkin
Riverwood Healthcare Center has moved testing for Covid-19 from its Aitkin clinic to its pharmacy at Paulbeck’s County Market. Appointments are required with a limited number available each day. The phone number to call for an appointment remains the same, Riverwood’s Covid line at 844-428-1323. The testing hours are 9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and […]
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 […]
McGregor family thankful for OB care at Riverwood
The Nistler family is featured in Riverwood Foundation’s annual year-end appeal letter that is inviting donations to support our Birthing Center. Make your gift at riverwoodhealthcare.org via the GIVE NOW link. Shirley and her husband Terry Nistler didn’t realize she would be starting a family tradition when she chose where to give birth to her […]
Riverwood welcomes two new oncology team members
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to introduce two new members of the oncology care team for cancer patients. They include Nurse Practitioner Jenny Diederich and Oncology Care Coordinator Katie Gunderson. “We are pleased to welcome Jenny and Katie to our oncology team,” said Dan Schletty, director of ambulatory services at Riverwood. “They both bring excellent […]
Riverwood issues Covid-19 vaccine mandate
In compliance with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rule that was issued Nov. 5, Riverwood Healthcare Center is requiring all staff members to be vaccinated against COVID-19. “Because of their proven effectiveness at preventing COVID-19, vaccines remain the safest way to protect our patients, our staff and the community,” said Cindi Baker, […]
Riverwood to not offer COVID-19 antibodies treatment
Riverwood Healthcare Center will not offer monoclonal antibodies treatment for COVID-19 patients at this time due to staffing concerns. “We’ve been offering the monoclonal antibodies infusion treatment for the past year, but with a large increase in the number of referrals of Covid patients this fall, we no longer have enough specially trained nursing staff […]
Aitkin community vaccine clinic to offer Covid booster, flu shots
Aitkin County Public Health and Riverwood Healthcare Center are partnering to offer another joint community clinic to administer both flu shots and COVID-19 booster vaccine. The clinic will be held on Tues., Nov. 9, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., at the First Lutheran Church in Aitkin. Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines will be offered. To […]
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 issues new visitor restrictions
With rising COVID-19 cases and the virus widely circulating in Aitkin County, Riverwood Healthcare Center has issued new hospital and clinic visitor restrictions that became effective Oct. 6, 2021. No visitors will be allowed facility-wide for Riverwood’s hospital and clinic with a few exceptions. For obstetrics patients, only one visitor will be permitted. For inpatient, […]
COVID-19 booster, flu vaccine clinic in Aitkin
Aitkin County Public Health and Riverwood Healthcare Center are partnering to offer a joint community clinic to offer both the influenza (flu) vaccine and a third dose or booster shot for COVID-19. The clinic will be held on Tues., Oct. 19, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the St. James Catholic Church in Aitkin. Appointments […]