Executives
Samuel L. Odle, FACHE
Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer & CEO
Samuel L. Odle, FACHE, is executive vice president and chief operating officer of Indiana University Health.
Mr. Odle also serves as CEO for IU Health Methodist Hospital and IU Health University Hospital. These adult hospitals serve as the primary teaching hospitals for IU School of Medicine and are the referral hospitals for IU Health's medical and surgical subspecialty programs.
He is a past chairman of the American College of Healthcare Executives, an international professional society of 30,000 healthcare executives who lead our nation's hospitals, healthcare systems, and other health care organizations. With comprehensive programs in credentialing, education, career counseling, publications, and research, ACHE works toward its goal of being the premier professional society for healthcare leaders by providing exceptional value to its members.
Mr. Odle received his master's degree in hospital administration and his bachelor's degree in allied health education from Indiana University, Indianapolis.
Board certified in healthcare management and an ACHE Fellow, Mr. Odle serves as a member of the board for ITT Educational Services, Inc., United Way of Central Indiana, Jordan Foundation, Crossroads of America Boy Scouts Council, and the Methodist Health Foundation.
He is married to Alexis Odle and has three daughters: Tiffany, Olivia, and Montgomery.
John C. Kohne, MD
Chief Operating Officer
John C. Kohne, MD, moved into the role of chief operating officer for Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital in November 2006. Through the transition, he maintained his position as chief medical officer for IU Health Methodist Hospital, a role he has held since December of 2002 and president of Methodist Specialty Physicians (a Methodist Health Foundation Partner) since 1998. Most recently, Dr. Kohne has added on the responsibilities of chief medical executive officer for the newly formed Indiana University Health Physicians group.
Dr. Kohne has a long history at IU Health, beginning with his days as a medical student at Indiana University School of Medicine. He continued with his residency in internal medicine at IU Health Methodist Hospital and completed a fellowship in gastroenterology at the Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Kohne returned to Indianapolis in 1982 to join Meridian Medical Group as a gastroenterologist. He is board certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology.
His interest in quality improvement and operational efficiency led him to his role in administration. Dr. Kohne has participated in various quality and process improvement committees over the years throughout IU Health. Dr. Kohne currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Methodist Health Foundation, IU Health Transplant Institute, Health Venture Management, Indiana Radiology Partners, Methodist Cardiology Physicians, Senate Street Surgery Centers, LLC and Indiana Medical Society: Project Health. Past roles on boards include LaPorte Hospital, IU Health West Hospital and IU Health North Hospital.
Dr. Kohne is most excited about his role in IU Health Physicians: an integrated physician delivery network designed to improve the coordination of care while promoting medical research and education.
Dr. Kohne is married, has two daughters and enjoys competitive sailboat racing and bareboat Caribbean cruising.
Michael Niemeier, MD
Chief Medical Officer
As chief medical officer, Michael Niemeier, MD, provides overall direction for the medical staff and physician leadership, regulatory compliance, patient quality and safety, and risk management for IU Health Methodist Hospital.
Dr. Niemeier has provided more than 30 years of service to the patients, families and staff at IU Health Methodist Hospital as a pulmonary/critical care physician and as a medical director. He received his medical degree from Indiana University and completed his internship and residency in internal medicine and fellowship in pulmonary/critical care medicine at IU Health Methodist Hospital. Over the years, while Dr. Niemeier continued the practice of medicine, his development as a physician leader emerged. His strong leadership skills became evident with his participation in the development and growth of initiatives such as the inpatient medicine and the ePartners programs.
Dr. Niemeier serves on several patient care committees and is a board member of the Methodist Health Foundation and IU Health Physicians. Dr. Niemeier is an avid tennis player and is married with four children.
Linda K. Chase, PhD, MA, RN, NEA-BC
Vice President & CNO of Nursing & Patient Care Services
Linda Chase Linda K. Chase joined IU Health in 2010 to lead Nursing and Patient Care Services at IU Health Methodist Hospital. As vice president and chief nursing officer, she oversees nearly 1,800 nurses at one of the state's biggest and busiest hospitals. Chase previously was chief nurse at The Ohio State Medical Center’s University Hospital and Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital in Columbus. She began and developed most of her career at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. An active speaker and author, Chase is widely published on nursing management and patient care topics. She serves as a Magnet Recognition Program appraiser for the American Nurses Credentialing Center.