Three University of Minnesota Urologists Named 2026 “Top Doctors: Rising Stars”
Drs. Deepak Agarwal, Vishnuvardhan (Vishnu) Ganesan, and Rachel Mann have been named “Top Doctors: Rising Stars” by Mpls.St. Paul Magazine. The annual recognition honors physicians in the first decade of their careers who are making exceptional contributions to patient care, research, and education.
Physicians selected for the Rising Stars list are nominated by their peers and evaluated through a rigorous review process that includes personal achievement, clinical excellence, and disciplinary history, followed by a specialty-specific panel review. The recognition highlights emerging leaders who are shaping the future of medicine in the Twin Cities and across Minnesota.
Dr. Deepak Agarwal is an assistant professor of urology who specializes in endourology, with a focus on minimally invasive treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and kidney stone disease. Fellowship-trained in advanced techniques such as holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), Dr. Agarwal has helped expand patient access to state-of-the-art surgical options that reduce recovery time and improve outcomes. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Agarwal serves as Clerkship Director for the Department of Urology, where he oversees medical student education, curriculum development, and clinical training experiences, helping introduce future physicians to the field of urology.
In 2025, Dr. Agarwal became one of the first surgeons in the world to use the Focalist™ robotic guidance system for kidney stone surgery, a milestone that drew regional media attention for its potential to improve surgical precision and safety. His clinical research continues the University of Minnesota’s long-standing leadership in endourology, with numerous peer-reviewed publications advancing care for patients with prostate enlargement and complex stone disease.
Dr. Vishnu Ganesan is an assistant professor and endourologist specializing in the treatment of kidney stones and urinary difficulties. He completed advanced fellowship training at the University of Minnesota, focusing on the management of complex kidney stones and enlarged prostates using cutting-edge techniques such as percutaneous renal surgery and laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP). Dr. Ganesan believes there is no-size-fits-all approach to care and places a strong emphasis on patient education, ensuring each individual fully understands their condition, treatment options, and surgical process. His research interests center on leveraging technology to advance the management of stone disease and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), drawing on his background in engineering to develop novel solutions and refine existing surgical techniques.
In early 2026, Dr. Ganesan was selected for the prestigious AUA/USI Academic Exchange Program, spending time at the internationally renowned Muljibhai Patel Urological Hospital in India. There, he studied high-volume, cost-conscious surgical models and is now applying lessons learned to enhance acute stone care and reduce waste in the operating room at M Health Fairview.
Dr. Rachel Mann is an assistant professor and reconstructive urologist whose practice focuses on complex urethral and genital reconstruction, including urethral stricture disease, prosthetic urology, urinary diversions, and complications following prior surgery. Known for her patient-centered approach and technical creativity, she treats some of the most challenging cases in urology with an emphasis on restoring quality of life.
In addition to her clinical expertise, Dr. Mann plays an important role in resident education at the University of Minnesota. A graduate of the University of Minnesota’s Urology Residency Program herself, she now serves as Associate Residency Program Director, helping train and mentor the next generation of urologists. Her academic work includes ongoing contributions to clinical research and education, and she regularly shares her expertise through scholarly publications and professional presentations.
