Alumni Spotlight - Dr. Sheila Rice ‘88 and Dr. Jennifer Carandang ‘89

Dr. Sheila Rice ‘88 and Dr. Jennifer Carandang ‘89 have been practicing medicine together for several years. A year apart in school at EC, the two did not know each other well until Dr. Rice reached out to Dr. Carandang to network as she considered leaving the Cleveland Clinic. Both left their current positions to join a private practice together and now work together at UH Avon Primary Care. 

Although Dr. Sheila Rice ‘88 knew in junior high that she wanted to be a doctor, she didn’t really want to leave Elyria Catholic High School. Heavily involved in volleyball, Student Senate, Spirit Club, Pep Club,Mission Club and NHS, she notes that a video of her graduation ceremony portrays her crying through most of it. Dr. Rice attended the University of Miami and earned her BS in Zoology before pursuing her medical degree at the Medical College of Ohio, now known as the University of Toledo College of Medicine. Dr. Rice thought she might leave the Cleveland area for her residency but in the end chose to stay closer to home. She completed her residency at University Hospitals of Cleveland and then spent 17 years with the Cleveland Clinic. A member of an EC legacy family, both of Dr. Rice’s parents, William Rice and Maureen Gillen Rice, graduated from EC in 1962. 

Dr. Jennifer Poduska Carandang ‘89 also knew by 7th grade that she wanted to be a doctor. She recalls the tough standards and high expectations set by EC teachers, especially Mrs. Carrie Fritz and Mrs. Mary Garton, prepared her well academically. She was involved in Cheer, Spirit Club, Student Senate, and NHS, and loved the people she met and the friends she made while at EC. Dr. Carandang earned her bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University and attended Case Western Reserve University Medical School. Dr. Carandang is a member of a third generation EC legacy family. Her mother, Alice Kopp Poduska, graduated from EC in 1964. Jennifer’s husband Matt Carandang ‘88 is also an alum and they have sent their children to Elyria Catholic. Jocelyn graduated in 2016, Alexander will graduate in 2022, and Lauren will be a freshman this year.