Mr. Hager donated $300,000 to fund renovations to the Critical Care Complex, which brings the Hagers' total giving to $1 million since 1997.

The late Alice Busch Gronewaldt, Mr. Hager's grandmother, began the family tradition of supporting Bassett Healthcare.

In the late 1980s, Gronewaldt led the organization through its first capital campaign as the honorary chair and donated $1.5 million to name the Louis Busch Hager Cancer Center in memory of her son. She later founded the Alice Busch Gronewaldt Foundation, which is now led by Mr. Hager.

The Foundation has also supported environmental, arts and athletic organizations throughout Otsego County.

"We at Bassett owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the Alice Busch Gronewaldt Foundation and the Hagers," said Bassett President and CEO Dr. William F. Streck. "As Bassett has grown and developed over the past 15 years, we have come to appreciate even more the private philanthropy from residents of the communities we serve. We are fortunate that the members of the Busch and Hager families have always supported Bassett."

In 1994, Gronewaldt contributed $400,000 toward the construction of the new Emergency Department, which was completed in 1996.

Louis Busch Hager Jr. joined the Board of Directors of the Friends of Bassett, the hospital's philanthropic foundation, in 1987, and served as president for four years until January, 1994.

"Our area is blessed with the presence of many wonderful institutions which contribute to the quality of life," said Mr. Hager. "And for me, quality health care is extremely important and that's why supporting Bassett has always been a priority for my family. I plan to take a very active role in approaching other community leaders to support Bassett's cardiac surgery program."

The establishment of Bassett's Heart Care Initiative will culminate with the first cardiac surgery in 2003.

tiative was launched in September with the Community Heart Program, the goal of which is to screen at least 2,500 regional residents for heart disease risk in its first year. Bassett will also provide a community health screening, physician referral system, cardiac catheterization, angioplasty and surgery programs, education and wellness programs, cardiac rehabilitation services, and outreach programs.

For more information about heart care and other services available at Bassett, call 1-800-BASSETT.