Dr. Chris E. U. Ekong named CTV Regina's 2024 Citizen of the Year

Dr. Chris E. U. Ekong has been named CTV Regina’s Citizen of the Year for 2024.

Ekong is a neurosurgeon who completed his medical degree at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria in 1972, training in neurosurgery in Saskatoon and Toronto.

Following his specialist certification in neurosurgery and a post-residency fellowship in neurotrauma in Toronto, Ekong joined the medical practitioner staff in Regina in 1982, also teaching medical students and residents through a cross academic position.

He later served as lead for the Division of Neurosurgery in Regina for over 10 years until 2019.

He served as a clinical professor of surgery at the University of Saskatchewan and St. George’s University School of Medicine, as well as adjunct clinical professor at the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine.

Ekong has served for five years as a member of the board of directors of the Saskatchewan Medical Association, previously served as a board member of the Regina Regional Medical Association and participated in several local and national committees.

Ekong’s career has also taken him to developing countries with neurosurgery groups, where he helped establish a philanthropic trust to improve areas within neurosurgery through site visits and clinical research.

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As well, Ekong established a private charitable foundation which helps fund technological needs of religious organizations, schools, and health institutions around the world.

He has published more than 100 papers and has won numerous awards throughout his career, including a Canadian Red Cross Power of Humanity award and a Canadian Medical Association Honorary Member award.

Most recently, Ekong set up the Dr. Chris Ekong Neuro Spine Fellowship program in Regina, offering 10 clinical fellowships at the Regina General Hospital.

This is the 22nd year that CTV Regina has offered the Citizen of the Year Award.

Past recipients

Previous winners of the CTV Regina Citizen of the Year Award include Jada Yee in 2023, Aura Lee MacPherson in 2022, and Sarah Kozusko in 2021.

Yee, who has a master’s degree of administration in leadership, served on many boards, including the Regina Food Bank and the Regina Aboriginal Professionals Association. He also raised $17,000 for the John Howard Society through a fundraising initiative.

MacPherson won the award in 2022. At the time, she had more than 15 years of experience in the nursing field, and also co-founded MacPherson Engineering with her husband.

Kozusko was recognized in 2021 for her efforts to create a safe space in her city. She was instrumental in getting critical vaccines to local volunteers while also providing medical care to Regina’s Camp Hope.

-With files from Drew Postey