When it comes to advanced prostate cancer treatment in the United States, few physicians have influenced the field as much as Dr. Ashutosh (Ash) K. Tewari, MD, MBBS, MCh, FRCS (Hon.). He is one of the world’s most accomplished urologic surgeons, a pioneering researcher, and a leader in robotic surgery whose innovations have transformed how prostate cancer is treated.
Dr. Tewari serves as Chairman of the Milton and Carroll Petrie Department of Urology and Surgeon-in-Chief at The Tisch Cancer Hospital, part of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. He has been at the forefront of prostate cancer surgery for decades, performing over 10,000 robotic radical prostatectomy procedures — minimally invasive operations that remove cancerous tissue while sparing nerves and reducing side effects such as incontinence and sexual dysfunction.
Originally trained in India, Dr. Tewari completed rigorous residencies and fellowships in urology and urologic oncology, including clinical training at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit and advanced research fellowships at the University of California, San Francisco and the University of Florida. His academic foundation and surgical training positioned him to lead some of the most consequential advances in surgical oncology.
A defining feature of Dr. Tewari’s work has been his development of novel surgical techniques within robotic systems that prioritize patient quality of life. For example, his innovations include the “athermal” robotic technique — which avoids heat energy during surgery to preserve delicate nerve structures — and the total reconstruction technique, which restores urinary support mechanisms post-prostatectomy for faster recovery.
His expertise also extends into outcomes-focused research. Dr. Tewari’s lab integrates clinical data with cutting-edge genomic studies and imaging technologies to better understand prostate cancer behavior and tailor surgery to individual patients. These research efforts have contributed to numerous high-impact publications and federal research grants, including NIH funding.
Dr. Tewari’s influence is also educational: he has trained dozens of fellows and residents who now lead prostate cancer programs across the U.S. and internationally. He hosts major symposiums that bring together surgical innovators from around the world to share advancements and best practices.
Recognition for his work includes prestigious awards such as the American Urological Association’s Gold Cystoscope Award — bestowed for significant contributions to urology — as well as listings among top physicians in New York Magazine’s Top Doctors and America’s Top Doctors.
What makes Dr. Tewari a true mover and shaker isn’t just his surgical precision, but his ongoing commitment to research, education, and improving outcomes for men with prostate cancer. In an era of rapidly evolving technology, he has not only adopted innovation — he has shaped it.
