Mistaken identity at the Health Alliance

As Ken Hanover, chief executive officer of the Health Alliance of Greater Cincinnati, was praising the agreement that allows his agency to buy Drake Center, Inc., he praised all three Hamilton County commissioners -- even though he didn't mean to.

In a Friday press conference at Drake to announce the agreement, Hanover praised the perseverance of Commissioner Phil Heimlich.

Hanover also intended to praise the "tenacity" of Commissioner Pat DeWine, who personally injected himself into the discussions last month after a previous proposal for Drake to be bought by the Health Alliance failed and helped negotiate the new deal.

But in his comments to the Drake employees assembled at the noon press conference, instead of praising the tenacity of DeWine, Hanover inadvertantly praised the tenacity in the talks of Commissioner Todd Portune -- who wasn't involved in the talks that culminated with the agreement.

In fact, Hanover twice misidentified DeWine as Portune in his comments.

After the first time, Heimlich turned to DeWine -- they were seated next to each other at the press conference -- and asked if DeWine wanted something done to correct Hanover. Heimlich then turned to Karen Bankston, the Health Alliance vice president running Drake, and whispered in her ear. Bankston then rose and stood behind Hanover until he finished his comments.

She then whispered in his ear and Hanover sheepishly told the audience he had confused DeWine with Portune.