Kenneth and Rebecca Krimmel

Saleem I. Abdulrauf, MD who is Chief Neurosurgeon at St. Louis University Hospital and associate professor of neurological surgery and director of the Cerebrovascular and Skull Base Surgery, has performed 7 brain tumor resections on our daughter with a recurring brain tumor called a Craniopharyngioma. From the first time our daughter was diagnosed with a brain tumor and we met with Dr. Abdulrauf, he presented with outstanding knowledge, expertise and confidence as a neurosurgeon. We knew from that moment on, our daughter was in the hands of a brilliant surgeon, which Dr. Abdulrauf has confirmed with each surgery.

As a neurosurgeon with great superiority, Dr. Abdulrauf is also very pleasant, friendly and easy to communicate with about our daughter’s condition, plan and expected outcome. Over the years, Dr. Abdulrauf has become a family friend to us. As parents having to go through the fear of our daughter undergoing numerous brain surgeries, it gives us considerable relief to know Dr. Abdulrauf is her surgeon. We have the utmost confidence in Dr. Abdulrauf that has grown stronger throughout the years, with his remarkable ability to maintain our daughter’s level of function after numerous brain surgeries. Dr. Abdulrauf is a true life saver!

My most memorable moment, as a mother, was when my daughter once said to me, prior to one of her surgeries in the pre-op room, that she would not be ready for surgery and feel at ease until she sees and speaks with Dr. Abdulrauf.
Dr. Abdulrauf came into the pre-operative room and spoke with her just before surgery. She immediately looked at me, with a sense of peace, and said, “Now I am ready.” That statement alone displays the highest level of confidence and trust you can have in a neurosurgeon.

Amber C.

So here is my story. My name is Amber and I am 18 years old. I was diagnosed with a cavernous malformation in my brain. When we originally went to see the SLU neurosurgeons they did not recommend to have surgery. My college soccer staff were very concerned and needed to know more information, so we called back to SLU hospital. Dr. Abdulrauf wanted to meet with me personally to discuss what the best course of action should be. When I was on my way to meet him, I was very nervous t see what he may be like. I was afraid he would be like most doctors and say things that go over my head or things I wouldn’t understand. To my surprise Dr. Abdulrauf was nothing like that. When I met him in his office he spoke in a way that was very easy to understand and he made me feel very comfortable about this terrifying discovery. He related to me because of his love of soccer. After he reviewed my case he concluded it would be best to have the Cavernous malformation removed due to my young age. Dr. Abulrauf seemed very confident about the procedure. I was a bit scared but relieved to know I was in good hands.

During the whole surgery and recovery Dr. Abdulrauf was very encouraging and playful. I say this because after my surgery we both were talking about what medicine I should take and I wanted a certain one. He made sure (in a playful way) that I knew he was boss. When we played around like that it distracted me from the pain and the unpleasant setting I was in. Every time he walked in I knew I would get a good laugh. Who wouldn’t want a doctor like that right after brain surgery!?

Overall Dr. Abdulrauf is the best doctor I have ever had. His playful and thoughtful personality definitely helped me through my recovery process. Thank you so much for everything you did and you may be boss but ill always put up a fight!