2018 graduate and neonatal nurse practitioner to run for Team IHP

Mary Jane Grier knows all about challenges – she’s a nurse practitioner in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at New York-Presbyterian Weill Cornell. But next month, she’ll take on a very different challenge: running the 2026 Boston Marathon as part of Team IHP, raising funds for scholarships that support current and future nurse practitioner students at the MGH Institute of Health Professions. 

For Grier, the race is more than just another marathon. It will be her first time running Boston, marking her 12th marathon and fourth Abbott World Marathon Major, bringing her one step closer to her goal of completing all seven of the world’s major races. 

“Boston is just such an iconic event,” Grier said. “Growing up with family in Boston and watching others run it, it always felt like the Olympics of marathons.”

Grier’s connection to the MGH Institute of Health Professions runs far deeper than race day. She graduated from the MGH Institute in 2018 through its Direct Entry Nursing program, earning both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing before beginning her career in neonatal care.

Looking back, she credits the Institute with helping shape both the path of her career and the passion she brings to her work today.

“I had such an amazing experience at IHP,” Grier said. “I love my job more than I ever thought I would, and that’s because IHP helped get me there.” 

During her time as a student, Grier said the Institute encouraged a supportive environment that inspired students to pursue leadership opportunities and bring new ideas to life. She served as student government president and helped create several student organizations, including groups focused on nursing and pediatric care.

“If I had an idea for a way to bring students together, they were always supportive,” she said. “It was like, ‘Great idea — let’s figure out how to make that happen.’” 

Now, as a member of Team IHP for the Boston Marathon, Grier sees the race as an opportunity to give back to the institution that helped launch her career.

“Getting the chance to give back now feels incredibly meaningful,” she said. 

Grier’s love for running began long before she joined Team IHP. She completed her first marathon in 2014, running the Chicago Marathon with a charity organization she was involved with during college. That experience not only introduced her to long-distance running but also helped guide her toward a career in pediatric nursing, linking her passions for running and giving back. 

Since then, Grier has become a seasoned marathoner. 

“Boston will be my 12th marathon, but the training still evolves as my life changes,” she said. “Training while working 12-hour night shifts was definitely an adjustment. Figuring out how to get long runs in between shifts has been a learning process.” 

This year, winter weather has added an extra challenge.

“This is actually my first time doing winter training, and that’s been a hurdle I didn’t anticipate,” Grier said. “It’s definitely been a mental game. There were weeks when the weather made it almost impossible to get long runs in.” 

Even with a demanding nursing career, Grier draws on lessons from the hospital to support her training. 

“Nursing has definitely helped with marathon training, especially understanding how important it is to fuel properly, hydrate, and listen to your body,” she said. “When I’m at work, I’m taking care of my body so I can get through a long shift. During marathon training, that mindset is only amplified.” 

For Grier, the Boston Marathon carries a deeper significance than many of the races she has run before. Having lived in Boston during her time at the Institute, the city played an important role in shaping both her career and her early experiences with marathon training. Many of the runs that helped solidify her love for long-distance running took place along Boston’s streets, making the race feel like a return to where it all began. 

This year’s race will also bring a new level of excitement, as family members will be able to cheer her on along the course.

“It kind of feels like going back to where it all started,” she said. “And this time I’ll have family there to watch and celebrate, which makes it even more special.” 

When Grier arrives at the Boston Marathon finish line on April 20, it will mark not only the completion of 26.2 miles, but also a full-circle moment. From her days as a student in Boston to her career as a neonatal nurse practitioner, the city and the Institute have played a defining role in her journey. 

“I always feel proud at the end of a race,” Grier said. “But I also hope it helps shine a light on the school.” 

Now, as she prepares to run Boston for the first time with Team IHP, Grier hopes her race will help support the next generation of students following in her footsteps. 

Donate to Mary Jane’s Team IHP cause