Thomas Silvera, MSHS-PH

Bio:

Thomas Silvera is a Certified Surgical Technologist, healthcare professional, researcher, author,actor, public speaker, and nationally recognized advocate for food allergy education, legislativereform, healthcare policy, and emergency preparedness. Thomas holds a Master of Science in Health Sciences with a concentration in Public Health(MSHS-PH) and a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences (BSHS). He is completing his Doctor ofHealth Science (DHSc) degree, where his research focuses on healthcare access and disparitiesin food allergy management in underserved communities. Thomas is the Vice President and Co-Founder of the Elijah-Alavi Foundation, created in memory of his son, Elijah-Alavi. Dina Hawthorne serves as President and Co-Founder. Following the loss of his son to an anaphylactic reaction in a childcare setting, Thomas committed his life to ensuring no other family experiences the same preventable outcome. Over the past eight years, Thomas has helped lead a national movement focused on foodallergy safety through legislation, education, training, public speaking, policy, and communityengagement. His advocacy has contributed to the passage of seven state laws and two cityordinances across the United States, advancing protections for children with food allergies inchildcare and educational settings. Thomas has been a leading advocate behind Elijah’s Law, landmark legislation focused on foodallergy safety training, emergency preparedness, and access to epinephrine in childcareenvironments. His work has helped advance stronger requirements for allergy awareness,emergency response, staff training, and lifesaving preparedness. He has trained thousands ofeducators and childcare providers and has spoken at national conferences, healthcare andpharmaceutical events, educational forums, legislative briefings, community events, andprofessional gatherings across the country. As a public speaker and advocate, Thomas brings both lived experience and professionalexpertise to conversations surrounding food allergies, anaphylaxis, healthcare access, healthequity, emergency preparedness, public policy, and patient advocacy. His ability to connectpersonal experience with policy and practical solutions has allowed him to engage diverseaudiences, from families and educators to healthcare professionals, policymakers, industryleaders, and national organizations. Thomas is also the Founder of Policy Pantry, a health policy platform created to make laws,policies, and advocacy resources easier for communities, families, and advocates to find,understand, and act upon. Through Policy Pantry, he is expanding his work beyond food allergyadvocacy to address broader issues of healthcare access, public health policy, and healthequity. Thomas has collaborated with leading organizations including the CDC, FDA, AAFA, FARE,Asthma and Allergy Network, FAACT, and MenuTrinfo, and serves as a multistakeholder patientadvisor within the healthcare and pharmaceutical space. He is the author of the children’s graphic novel ImmuniForce: The Anaphylaxis Strike, whichuses storytelling and creativity to educate children and families about food allergies,anaphylaxis, and emergency response. Thomas has also appeared in media and film projects asan actor and advocate, using storytelling and visual media to amplify awareness and drivemeaningful change. Through legislative advocacy, Policy Pantry, the Elijah-Alavi Foundation, public speaking,training programs for schools and childcare centers, research, creative work, and communityoutreach, Thomas continues to advance a national movement centered on education, equity,accessible health policy, and lifesaving preparedness for children and families