UC Health acquires Drake Hospital for $15M

CINCINNATI — UC Health will be purchasing Drake Hospital from Hamilton County.

Commissioners approved the $15 million sale Wednesday by a 2-1 vote. Funds are expected to help stabilize the funding of the football and baseball stadiums in Cincinnati.

The stadium fund faces a $14.2 million deficit for next year, according to county officials.

Commissioner Greg Hartmann voted against the sale, saying the $15 million was too low. Hartmann on Wednesday told 700WLW radio host Bill Cunningham it is too big an asset to the county to give up for one year’s worth of stability.

As part of the deal with UC Health, the hospital group has agreed to invest in other areas of county health care, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Many Butler and Warren County residents have attended the Drake Center for rehabilitation. In 2009, West Chester Police Officer Nicholas Gattermeyer was rehabilitated at the hospital after he was critically injured during an on-duty crash. University of Tennessee basketball player Amber Gray, a former Lakota student, recovered from a stroke via the Drake Center.

Also in 2009, Lockland police officer Brandon Gehring was rehabilitated at the hospital after being struck by a West Chester Twp. police cruiser during a high-speed pursuit.

In 2005, Hamilton firefighter Chris Gabbard recovered there following an accident in the Great Miami River.

The Cincinnati Enquirer contributed to this report.