In late-March, a flag flew over the United States Capital in Washington, D.C. in honor of the late Ryan Olivier, 340B Manager for Monument Health, who passed away unexpectedly in January.
Through his work, Ryan’s impact was felt by health care patients in the Black Hills and indeed all over the state.
Ryan worked for area health systems inside the 340B program for over 15 years, dating back to 2010. He first worked for Avera, then Sanford, then Essentia in Minnesota. For the last two and a half years, though, Ryan worked for Monument Health. During that time, he was a steady advocate for the program, says Scott Peterson, Senior Director Ambulatory and Pharmacy Operations at Rapid City Hospital and Ryan’s supervisor.
“I knew Ryan for years, back to when he was working for Avera,” Scott says. “I would see him at 340B conferences and lobby with him in D.C., so he was a colleague and friend before coming to work at Monument Health.”
Ryan worked closely with South Dakota Congressional Delegates, such as Senator John Thune, who requested the flag to be flown in Ryan’s honor. As Scott mentioned, Ryan also took numerous trips to D.C. to interface with politicians about the importance of the program to health systems in taking care of patients, regardless of their ability to pay for services.
Born in Sioux Falls, Ryan attended college at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Although he worked remotely for Monument Health from Sioux Falls, he and his wife, Kasey, owned a cabin near Terry Peak, so they spent a lot of time in the Black Hills area.
“Ryan was a connecter. He loved to get to know people and build relationships,” says Scott. “His preference was always for a phone call instead of a text or email. That is why he was loved by so many people that he interacted with.”
Scott attributes the flag honor to the fact that Ryan was known and respected around the state and country for his work in the 340B program including his working relationship with Senator Thune and his staff.
Kasey was presented with the flag and a certificate commemorating Ryan. He was 40 years old.
Ryan Matthew Olivier, May 27, 1985 – January 23, 2026.
Story by Kory Lanphear