Riverwood’s new wellness experts report for duty

[Aitkin Age, January 31, 2013] Riverwood Healthcare Center is among 13 health systems serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin to be chosen to participate in a three-year Healthy Communities Partnership.

A $475,000 grant from the George Family Foundation and Allina Health will enable it to screen, assess and improve the health of local residents in the Aitkin County and Garrison area communities it serves.

“This program recognizes at least 40 percent of deaths in the U.S. are attributed to four behaviors: Unhealthy eating, inadequate exercise, smoking and hazardous drinking,” said Courtney Baechler, MD, vice president of the Penny George Institute for Health and Healing, part of Allina Health.