Jennifer Leah Goetz is running for the kids and teens of MGH

"Every dollar counts and will go straight to the core mission of delivering the highest quality, most innovative care possible, to kids and teens of the MGH."

April 14, 2024

1 minute to read

In our “Why I’m Running” series, Boston Marathon runners share what’s inspiring them to make the 26.2-mile trek from Hopkinton to Boston.

Name: Jennifer Leah Goetz
Age: 37
From: Cambridge

I am honored to be running the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2024 as part of the Mass General Marathon Team…Fighting Kids’ Cancer, One Step at a Time to raise money for Massachusetts General Hospital, who do great work for a cause that’s very close to my heart.

I completed my residency and fellowship in general and child and adolescent psychiatry at Mass General and McLean Hospitals in Boston from 2013-2019. I spent my intern year caring for sick children and teens at MGH including those with cancer, regularly. I was let into their lives and those of their families at one of the most difficult times of their lives–participating in their care was a privilege. I was again able to care for patients with pediatric cancer during my child fellowship, some of whom I had cared for years before as a pediatrics intern.

To be able to run my fourth marathon and third Boston Marathon for MGH on behalf of the kids I have worked with as both a pediatrician and a child psychiatrist is one of the biggest honor, if not the biggest honor, of my life.

During each mile, I will carry with me the stories of the patients I’ve cared for throughout my young career, and those to come. I am asking for your help in reaching my fundraising goal of $10,000 by the time of the marathon. Every dollar counts and will go straight to the core mission of delivering the highest quality, most innovative care possible, to kids and teens of MGH.

Editor’s note: This entry may have been lightly edited for clarity or grammar.