Montefiore Einstein launched its new Sports Mental Health & Performance Institute on July 1, 2024, with Dr. Jorge Aguilar, M.D., Ph.D., as the new director. Dr. Aguilar brings a wealth of experience as the team psychiatrist for the New York City FC in Major League Soccer and a consultant to Major League Baseball in mental health and performance. His vision for the institute is to address barriers preventing athletes from seeking mental health services, making specialized mental health services more accessible to athletes.
Dr. Aguilar’s career trajectory has been shaped by his dynamic educational background and deep passion for sports psychiatry. His training at Montefiore laid the groundwork for his interest in sports psychiatry and mental skills training. He currently serves on the Certifications and Partnerships committee for the American Board of Sports & Performance Psychiatry. The Institute aims to provide comprehensive services for athletes at all levels, offering treatment for concerns like performance anxiety, recovery from injury, and general mental health concerns. Dr. Aguilar plans to expand by hiring additional mental health practitioners and providing education to future psychiatrist and psychologist trainees.
The Institute has already begun providing services to professional athletes and high school athletes within two weeks of opening. Dr. Aguilar’s past work with professional athletes has significantly informed his program development with the new institute, increasing its credibility and positioning it as a trusted resource for athletes seeking mental health support. In addition, the program accepts insurance, expanding its accessibility to the local community. Dr. Aguilar also aims to increase research collaboration and mental health awareness in the community.
The establishment of the institute was a collaborative effort involving Dr. David Gonzalez, Chief Medical Officer of NYC FC and Chief of the Division of Sports Medicine at Montefiore Einstein, Dr. Jonathan Alpert, Chair of Psychiatry at Einstein, and Dr. Philip Ozuah, CEO of Montefiore Medicine. Dr. Aguilar highlights the importance of working with professional athletes who have a powerful platform to inspire others. With the launch of the Sports Mental Health and Performance Institute, Montefiore Einstein is setting the example for prioritizing athlete mental health, breaking down barriers, and promoting athlete well-being.
