Eric Rodriguez was born and raised in Independence, Ohio, a small suburb just south of Cleveland. After graduating as valedictorian of his high school class in 1987, he went on to John Carroll University where he earned a B.S. in biology in 1991. He then graduated from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in 1995 and was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha honorary medical society. Board certified in internal medicine, Rodriguez works as a physician in the Akron area while also maintaining his very successful home travel agency. He and his wife, Stephanie, have 3 children: Gabrielle-age 4, Angelo-age 3, and Melina-age 2. They are expecting their 4th in April 2011!