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, legislative
reform, 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 of
Health Science (DHSc) degree, where his research focuses on healthcare access and disparities
in 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 food
allergy safety through legislation, education, training, public speaking, policy, and community
engagement. His advocacy has contributed to the passage of seven state laws and two city
ordinances across the United States, advancing protections for children with food allergies in
childcare and educational settings.

Thomas has been a leading advocate behind Elijah’s Law, landmark legislation focused on food
allergy safety training, emergency preparedness, and access to epinephrine in childcare
environments. His work has helped advance stronger requirements for allergy awareness,
emergency response, staff training, and lifesaving preparedness. He has trained thousands of
educators and childcare providers and has spoken at national conferences, healthcare and
pharmaceutical events, educational forums, legislative briefings, community events, and
professional gatherings across the country.

As a public speaker and advocate, Thomas brings both lived experience and professional
expertise to conversations surrounding food allergies, anaphylaxis, healthcare access, health
equity, emergency preparedness, public policy, and patient advocacy. His ability to connect
personal experience with policy and practical solutions has allowed him to engage diverse
audiences, from families and educators to healthcare professionals, policymakers, industry
leaders, 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 allergy
advocacy to address broader issues of healthcare access, public health policy, and health
equity.

Thomas has collaborated with leading organizations including the CDC, FDA, AAFA, FARE,
Asthma and Allergy Network, FAACT, and MenuTrinfo, and serves as a multistakeholder patient
advisor within the healthcare and pharmaceutical space.

He is the author of the children’s graphic novel ImmuniForce: The Anaphylaxis Strike, which
uses storytelling and creativity to educate children and families about food allergies,
anaphylaxis, and emergency response. Thomas has also appeared in media and film projects as
an actor and advocate, using storytelling and visual media to amplify awareness and drive
meaningful change.

Through legislative advocacy, Policy Pantry, the Elijah-Alavi Foundation, public speaking,
training programs for schools and childcare centers, research, creative work, and community
outreach, Thomas continues to advance a national movement centered on education, equity,
accessible health policy, and lifesaving preparedness for children and families