Sam Odle, a former longtime executive of Methodist Hospital and Indiana University Health, is joining the Indianapolis-based lobbying firm Bose Public Affairs Group LLC, the firm announced Tuesday.

As a senior policy adviser, Odle will work mostly with clients in the health care and life sciences industries, Bose Public Affairs said.

Odle, 63, most recently served as chief operating officer at IU Health and CEO of Methodist and University hospitals before retiring in July.

Odle was not only one of the most prominent hospital leaders in the city, but also one of the highest-ranking black executives. He was inducted into the Indiana Business Hall of Fame in 2007.

He joined Methodist Hospital in 1981 as vice president of operations and stayed with the organization through its 1996 merger with Indiana University Hospital and Riley Hospital for Children. The combined organization, initially called Clarian Health, later changed its name to IU Health.

Odle played key roles in IU Health’s decision to open new hospitals in Avon, Carmel and Fishers. He also had been overseeing creation of the IU Health Neuroscience Center as well as plans for a new 175- to 250-bed tower at Methodist.

Bose Public Affairs Group is an arm of the local Bose McKinney & Evans LLP law firm.