Medical Matters: A word from 2026 Council Chair, Patrick Etokudo

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By CPSA Council Chair, Patrick Etokudo, MSc FSCMP

Introduction

As the new Chair of CPSA Council, I am mindful of how trust in the healthcare system is shaped by both individual patient interactions and the standards that guide the medical practice. It is these personalized individual patient interactions, informed by people’s backgrounds, life experiences and cultures that bring additional nuances to the work that physicians and physician assistants do every day to render safe and competent care to Albertans. The recognition of 30 years of Canada’s celebration of Black History Month (100 years, globally) this February reinforces the importance of competence and professional judgment of regulated members in providing safe and respectful care to every patient.

Having served on Council for more than four years as a publicly appointed member, I have developed a strong appreciation for CPSA’s role. CPSA serves and protects all Albertans through the regulation of physicians and physician assistants, contributing to safe, high-quality care, in partnership with other healthcare providers and patients.

This mission continues to inform the work that Council does to ensure professional, ethical and competent regulated members of CPSA. As the baton for CPSA Council Chair was passed on this January, as it does every new year, staying focused on this mandate will continue to guide the work we do and inform the choices we make. As the current Chair of Council, receiving this baton, I will strive to guide Council accordingly. This solemn duty and the weight of this promise to Albertans does not escape me.

Changing Council membership

This year, the composition of Council has changed significantly. We have seen some of the seasoned hands leave: Ms. Laurie Steinbach, Dr. Oluseyi Oladele, Dr. Daisy Fung, Dr. Richard Buckley, Dr. Maryana Kravtsenyuk and student representative, Jenna Salem. We are eternally grateful for their service and wisdom these many years. While we will certainly miss their contributions, I am also excited to welcome new members who I know will bring new perspectives, share new ideas and contribute valuable competencies and experiences that will strengthen the Council culture: Dr. Doris Sturtevant, Dr. Johnson Fatokun, Dr. Nkemakolam Eke, Dr. Nkolika Anyabolu, and student representative, Noam Sander.

Looking ahead to 2026

The year ahead is shaping up to be full of many important initiatives. With CPSA’s 2022-2026 Strategic Plan ready to be updated, Council will be focusing on developing a new plan to support and guide the work the organization is doing to strengthen medical regulation in Alberta and uphold standards of practice toward safe patient care. It is imperative that this plan remains adaptive, shifting with the needs of patients as Alberta’s healthcare environment continues to evolve. Alongside work on the strategic plan, Council will be responding to the valid yearning for a more responsive healthcare system, prioritizing efficiency and support for attracting and retaining medical providers from within Canada and international jurisdictions. Another area of focus will be the improvement of healthcare accessibility within rural and remote communities. In support of all this important work, Council will continue to ensure medical facilities meet appropriate standards and regulated members maintain a high level of professional competence and ethical practice. These many important areas will make 2026 both challenging and impactful.

Conclusion

As I take on the role of CPSA Council Chair, I want to express my gratitude to my predecessor Dr. Nicole Cardinal who led Council through 2025. I am looking forward to serving Council and, through it, Albertans in 2026.

Patrick Etokudo is a Mechanical Engineer with a master’s degree in Supply Chain Management and over three decades of global leadership experience. He has held senior roles across multiple industries and countries, driving transformational strategies and large‑scale operational improvements. At Sherritt International, Patrick served as GM (Vice President), overseeing Operations Services. At Enbridge Inc., he served as Senior Director leading a $10‑billion SCM spend portfolio and other roles. He also managed Suncor Energy’s strategic sourcing function and was Head of Corporate Supply Chain at Shell before that. Patrick is presently an Academic Chair in the School of Business at SAIT and also the founding Managing Partner of Ankan‑VCM, supporting organizations to maximize the value they derive from their supply chains. An active community leader, Patrick has served on multiple boards and committees, including CCIS, Supply Chain Canada, and CPSA. His contributions have earned several honours, including Supply Chain Executive of the Year (2017), Fellow of Supply Chain Canada (2018), Alberta’s Newcomer Recognition Award (2022), and the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (2023).