Roopen Patel '95

Devotion comes with commitment and many cannot fulfill both. However, Roopen Patel, a 1995 Panther graduate, is a prime example of how dedication can carry you far in life.
 
Roopen participated in many activities during his time as a Panther. For instance, in his senior year, he ran track and was a part of the baseball team. To Roopen, he loved the tight-knit community EC provided him. The friends and coaches he had along the way allowed him to be involved in multiple teams and clubs. Roopen stated that this made him learn the concept of community. At Elyria Catholic, there is not just one community, but multiple students from different areas, bringing many different communities together to create one huge community. Roopen saw this community shine through during his senior homecoming where he won Homecoming King. He never liked the
spotlight, but said it was an honor to be recognized, even though he didn’t attend any other school dances.
 
After high school, Roopen began his college career at Kent State University for its medical program. He then went to The Ohio State University for a year and finished medical school at Northeast Ohio Medical University in 2002. Today, Roopen is a physician who specializes in allergy, asthma, and immunology. 
 
Roopen states that he continues to incorporate the lessons and the Elyria Catholic Pillars that he learned during his time as a Panther. He uses them on a daily basis and shares them with his three children, Rayan (18), Shailan (16), and  Parisa (14), who are the center of his life. Through the Pillar of Community, Roopen uses sports analogies as he encourages and supports his medical team. He also touched on how the Pillar of Compassion is a part of his daily life. Roopen shares that everyone has a story to tell and lets his patients speak for themselves. He takes a minute to say “I see you” and offers his patients the opportunity to be heard.
 
Roopen states that you never know who may impact your life, including teachers. Mrs. Carrie Fritz, his math teacher for 3 of his 4 years, always kept pushing him to reach his potential. This experience with Mrs. Fritz is one he carries throughout his life today.
 
Roopen admits he was most involved his senior year. Reflecting on advice he wished he gave his senior self, Roopen states that he wished he was more vulnerable and less reserved during his senior year because you never know someone’s story. Roopen advises “to stay optimistic, this will help to find your purpose and what you’re good at in life.”
 
His plans for the future are to help guide his children through this world filled with open access to the Internet because this new generation is too exposed and naïve to the world’s problems. Roopen loves his job and practice and continues to put his patients first. His Panther print is recognized and appreciated every day. The continuous work he achieves is inspiring and we at Elyria Catholic cheer Roopen along the path he makes.
 
By Natalie Saddler ‘24