Casey Ryan, a 1967 graduate of Grand Forks Central High School, has served as a practicing physician in endocrinology and internal medicine in Grand Forks since 1979, and was assistant dean for the UND School of Medicine from 1991-1997. Most recently, Ryan served as the president of Altru Health System from 1997-2014.

Ryan earned a bachelors degree in biology from Colorado College, Colorado. He received his medical degree from the University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, and completed his residency in internal medicine at the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota. Ryan has received a number of awards for his work as a physician and professor at the University of North Dakota Medical School including three Outstanding Achievement awards from the American Diabetes Association as well as the American College of Physicians Laureate Award.