Dr. Nissrine Nakib is the University of Minnesota's First Female Professor of Urology

Nissrine Nakib, MD, is the first woman to be promoted to Professor in the University of Minnesota Department of Urology’s 94-year history. Her promotion marks a significant milestone for the department and reflects her long-standing impact as a clinician, leader, researcher, and educator. 

Dr. Nakib earned her MD from the University of Minnesota Medical School in 2002 and remained at the University of Minnesota to complete her residency in urologic surgery in 2007. She then further advanced her training by pursuing an Incontinence and Voiding Dysfunction Fellowship at Metropolitan Urologic Specialists in Woodbury, Minnesota. 

Widely respected for her clinical expertise and patient-centered approach to care, Dr. Nakib serves as Director of Pelvic Floor Medicine, leading one of the region’s most comprehensive programs for patients with pelvic floor disorders. Her clinical focus includes pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, recurrent urinary tract infections, neurogenic bladder, and spinal cord-related urinary conditions. She also treats adults with hematuria, urinary tract infections, and genitourinary cancers at the University of Minnesota and M Health Fairview Clinics. 

Dr. Nakib is consistently recognized for her dedication to patient care and excellence in her field, as reflected in her long-standing recognition as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor since 2011 and her inclusion on the Exceptional Women in Medicine list. She is also regularly named among Minnesota’s top doctors and top doctors for women by Minnesota Monthly. 

In her role as Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs, Dr. Nakib helps guide how care is delivered across the department. She oversees initiatives focused on quality improvement, patient safety, and consistency across clinical sites, helping ensure that patients receive high-quality care no matter where they are seen. 

Dr. Nakib is also an active researcher whose work has improved treatment options for patients with urinary disorders. Her research focuses on clinical and translational applications of sacral neuromodulation, where she has helped establish new techniques and best practices. 

“Gerry Timm and I have had the privilege of working with Dr. Nissrine Nakib for several years as a clinical collaborator on our functional urology research team,” said Dr. Dwight Nelson, PhD, Senior Fellow in Functional Neuro-Urology and Industry Synergies at the University of Minnesota. “She has been generous, honest, and open in working with faculty, engineers, students, and interns, and she always keeps patient care, treatment options, and therapy outcomes at the center of the work. Her promotion to full professor is richly deserved.” 

Dr. Nakib plays an integral role in training the next generation of urologists. She works closely with residents and medical students in both the clinic and operating room, providing hands-on instruction in the evaluation and management of complex pelvic floor disorder through mentoring, didactic sessions, and anatomical training labs. She is also an active mentor, offering guidance on career development, research opportunities, and professional growth, and is widely regarded by trainees for her approachable teaching style and dedication to their success. 

Beyond her clinical and research roles, Dr. Nakib is a strong advocate for women in medicine. She served on the American Urological Association North Central Section Committee for Women and led the Strategic Communication and Collaboration Action Committee within the Center for Women in Medicine and Science, where she was elected chair. Through this work, she promoted collaboration, mentorship, and institutional change that supports equity in medicine. 

“I would like to congratulate Dr. Nakib on her promotion to full professor,” said Dr. Christopher Warlick, Chair of the Department of Urology. “This is the culmination of many years of outstanding clinical care, dedication to our education mission, long-standing collaborative research efforts, and tireless leadership in many roles at the department, regional and national levels. She is generous with her time and expertise with all of us, and I am grateful for her many contributions. This is a well deserved promotion.”