Stephen Shaya, M.D. Receives 2026 Agent of Change Award at the United Nations During UN General Assembly

UNITED NATIONS, NY, UNITED STATES, September 29, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Stephen Shaya, M.D., Executive Servant Leader at J&B Medical and Managing Director of Akkad Holdings, received the 2026 Agent of Change Award from the Global Partnerships Forum during its Annual Awards Luncheon at the United Nations during UN General Assembly week in New York City on September 23, 2026.

Presented annually by the Global Partnerships Forum, the Agent of Change Award honors exceptional leaders and innovators creating significant impact in society. Dr. Shaya was selected in recognition of his outstanding leadership, unwavering commitment to improving human health, and dedication to advancing human potential.

The Global Partnerships Forum highlighted Dr. Shaya’s longstanding commitment to service, his leadership in healthcare, and his work to make quality care more accessible around the world. The organization also recognized his leadership with the Global Health Futures program and his forward-looking approach to improving health outcomes through collaboration, innovation, and purpose-driven leadership.

“Stephen Shaya is an exceptional leader whose commitment to service, compassion, and purpose is creating meaningful impact in healthcare and beyond. His belief in the power of people, partnerships, and paying it forward is an inspiring example of how leadership can help build a healthier and more hopeful world. He embodies the very essence of an Agent of Change,” said Amir A. Dossal, President & CEO of the Global Partnerships Forum and Founder & Curator of Vision for the Future.

“I am deeply humbled to receive the Agent of Change Award from the Global Partnerships Forum,” said Dr. Shaya. “For me, meaningful change has always started with people. It happens when we listen, when we come together around a shared purpose, and when we are willing to use what we have been given to create opportunities for someone else. None of us create impact alone. We build on the sacrifices of those who came before us, we serve alongside others today, and we have a responsibility to leave something meaningful for the generations that follow.”

He added, “Healthcare has given me the opportunity to see firsthand how one decision, one partnership, or one act of compassion can change the course of someone’s life. That is why People, Purpose, and Paying It Forward are more than words to me. They are a responsibility to keep serving, keep building bridges, and keep finding ways to help people live healthier and more hopeful lives.”

Dr. Shaya’s work spans healthcare, investment, philanthropy, and global collaboration. Through J&B Medical and Akkad Holdings, he has worked to expand access to healthcare solutions while developing partnerships across the public, private, nonprofit, and family office sectors.

His leadership in Global Health Futures further reflects his belief that solving the world’s most complex healthcare challenges requires cooperation across industries, countries, and generations. By bringing together leaders from healthcare, technology, investment, government, and philanthropy, the initiative seeks to advance ideas and partnerships capable of improving health outcomes on a global scale.

The recognition at the United Nations builds upon Dr. Shaya’s broader commitment to servant leadership and a philosophy shaped by his family and carried throughout his career. At the center of that philosophy are the principles of People, Purpose, and Paying It Forward — values the Global Partnerships Forum specifically cited in recognizing his work.

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About the Global Partnerships Forum

The Global Partnerships Forum brings together leaders and innovators from across sectors to foster collaboration, develop partnerships, and advance solutions to global challenges. Its annual Agent of Change Award recognizes individuals whose leadership and innovation are creating meaningful impact in society. www.partnerships.org


About Stephen Shaya, M.D.

Stephen Shaya, M.D., is a globally recognized healthcare leader, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and faith-driven servant leader whose life’s work reflects an unwavering dedication to compassion and stewardship. Guided by a deep commitment to serving others, Dr. Shaya has devoted his career to expanding access to care, fostering collaboration, and empowering communities worldwide. He often reflects his grandmother’s favorite quote from Mother Teresa: “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”

About Akkad Holdings

Akkad Holdings is the family office of Stephen Shaya, M.D., whose family owns J&B Medical, a global healthcare conglomerate and best-in-class medical supply distribution company providing innovative solutions to customers worldwide. Founded in 2017 by Dr. Shaya, Akkad Holdings was created to align strategy and capital with philanthropy and purpose across a global portfolio of companies. The firm invests in sectors including healthcare, life sciences, technology, and sustainable development. Through strategic partnerships with family offices, sovereign investors, and innovators, Akkad supports ventures that create measurable impact and enduring value worldwide. Guided by its core principles—People, Purpose, and Paying It Forward—Akkad Holdings continues to build a legacy rooted in service, stewardship, and sustainable impact.

About J&B Medical

J&B Medical is a recognized market leader in healthcare focused on enhancing quality of life, improving clinical outcomes, and reducing healthcare costs for consumers and businesses. Its services include insurance-covered and emergency-medical supplies, retail-at-home and veterinary products, and medical technology solutions. J&B Medical is a nationally certified Women’s Business Enterprise. For more information, please visit www.JandBMedical.com

Elizabeth Randolph
Ozline LLC
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Stephen Shaya, M.D. Receives 2026 Agent of Change Award at the United Nations During UN General Assembly