By Tim Bonfield
The Cincinnati Enquirer

HAMILTON - The Fort Hamilton Hospital has received a $3 million gift from Donna and Ralph "Pat" Carruthers to help pay for a planned hospital expansion.

The $18 million expansion will include a 16-bed, state-of-the-art intensive care unit - a 30 percent expansion - and bigger areas for outpatient and diagnostic services.

The Carruthers donation kicks off a Fort Hamilton Healthcare Foundation capital campaign to finance the construction, the first such campaign since 1980.

This is the second expansion announced at Fort Hamilton since Mercy Hospital Hamilton was closed. The Health Alliance plans to invest $7 million in the project, which means it is seeking donations for the remaining $8 million.

E-mail tbonfield@enquirer.com