From there, she moved to Medical Information, Human Genetics,Finance, admitting at Mott Hospital and admitting at University Hospital.

Now she is office manager for Surgical Pathology Transcription. She and her staff members prepare biopsy and autopsy reports, obtain signed death certificates, maintain slides and blocks, and handle all patient inquiries concerning surgical reports.

"It's been very rewarding," she says of her 40 years at U-M. "I've learned a lot about different cultures, and I've had a lot of good people teaching and mentoring me. I couldn't have gotten this kind of a variety of experience anywhere else."

She also has gotten to know many people through her varied jobs, and she often stops in the hall to talk with them. "I have a friend who said, 'I won't walk down the hall with you anymore because we'll never get where we're going,'" she says with a laugh.

In the 1970s, Horgrow transferred to the main recovery room. In 1990, at the suggestion of fellow 40-year employee Elaine Berghardt, she moved to her current position in the Women's Birth Center.

"I love my job because it's so rewarding to see the expression of a mom and dad when they see their baby come into the world," Horgrow says. "And the people I work with are a blessing. In 2000, my coworkers built a ramp at my house so I could more easily care for my sick husband during the last few months of his life."

Family and faith are an important part of Horgrow's life. Her future plans are to enjoy time with her sons and seven grandchildren, remain active in her church, St. Paul Missionary Baptist, and continue working at the hospital as long as she is able.