Retired Army Lt. Col. Barbara Agen Ryan joined Optum in 2017 as Chief of Staff of OptumServeTM, a health services company with proven expertise helping federal government agencies tackle some of the biggest challenges in health care.
Barbara is a highly creative, enthusiastic leader, an agent of change who delivers results and service excellence every time. In her role at OptumServeTM, Barbara is in charge of supporting the CEO and the leadership team in aligning Optum capabilities to better support the health and needs of service members and their families, veterans, and Medicare recipients.
Barbara served in the Army for 20 years, culminating as the Chief of Staff at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. At Walter Reed she created the Patient Advocacy Service, eventually implemented in every Army Medical Treatment Facility, as well as the marketing, rebranding, and communications and Healthcare Hospitality directorate. Prior to joining OptumServeTM Barbara was a senior civil servant, the primary health strategist, and education, training, and communications lead for the 43rd Army Surgeon General’s System for Health transformation and Performance Triad initiative. These efforts were critical to the readiness and health of service members, their families, and retirees around the globe.
Ryan earned a B.S. in Nursing from Niagara University, a Master of Science degree from Boston College, with a concentration in Maternal-Child Health, and a Diploma in Ayurveda, a master’s level integrative health degree associated with Pune University, India. Barbara also holds certificates in Patient Advocacy, Risk Communication, and Organization Development.