Riverwood Healthcare Center history

1963: In July 1963, the first patients were admitted to a 48-bed facility added on to the hospital.

Over the past 49 years, Riverwood has hosted and mentored 40 RPAP students, with the first one in 1971!

1977: Riverwood began serving McGregor area patients at the local clinic.

A facility expansion is completed in 1979 for more dedicated space for outpatient services, surgery and emergency services.

1990: Aitkin Community Hospital changed its name to Riverwood Healthcare Center to reflect the integration of inpatient and outpatient services and their delivery to more patients in a wider geographic area.

1992: A Foundation was formed to develop and coordinate a capital campaign to raise funds for future expansion and renovation of hospital facilities and services.

1998: Riverwood purchased the Ripple River Medical Clinic to form an integrated hospital and clinic system for inpatient and outpatient care.

1999: The newly remodeled Riverwood McGregor Clinic opened.

Tom Kuppich Manager – Pine Insurance Agency Resides in the Aitkin community Served on Riverwood’s Foundation Board since 2001

In 2003, Riverwood opened a new, modern 24-bed hospital and clinic facility.

2004: Riverwood’s Foundation developed a Healing Garden to offer a place for reflection and honoring loved ones with bricks, flowers and more.

2006: Two major expansion projects for the Specialty Clinic in Aitkin and the McGregor Clinic reached completion.

Shirley Callahan-Winegar, Vice Chair Resides in the McGregor community Served on Riverwood’s Foundation Board since 2007

Mark J Meyer President/CEO, tenX Capital, LLC Resides in the Aitkin community Served on Riverwood’s Foundation Board since 2009

With a focus on the future, the organization began a $21 million expansion and renovation project in 2011 to enhance the quality of healthcare for years to come.

Melissa Magnuson Nurse Practitioner, Geriatric care for Aitkin nursing home residents Resides in the Aitkin community Served on Riverwood’s Foundation Board since 2012

2013: The hospital expansion project reached completion, which included major renovations to several departments, including rehabilitation and surgery, along with a makeover of the main lobby.

David Hommes, Treasurer Retired Resides in the Aitkin community Served on Riverwood’s Foundation Board since 2014

2017: Riverwood launched an expansion project for its Aitkin clinic to add kidney care and dialysis, to expand space for specialty care and to renovate the primary care clinic to support a team-based model of care.

To see how donors are making a difference for healthcare in our community, see our Fiscal Year 2019 Foundation Report.

Press Ganey 2020 Guardian of Excellence Award Winner – Nationally Recognized for Emergency Care