Ekaran was presumably a former romantic partner of Sarjenka, whom she became separated from in 2372. Sarjenka occasionally thought of him over the following years, and once recalled him using the phrase "healing without a net" when she could not rely on her medical tricorder readings. (CoE eBook: Remembrance of Things Past, Book I)

The nature of Ekaran's relationship with Sarjenka is speculative, based on the context in which the name first arises in the story. The timing of their relationship, and Ekaran's quote, tends to suggest he was a fellow student at Starfleet Medical Academy.