In response to receiving the award, Silvey expressed their gratitude, stating, “It means a lot to me. I am so proud to have trained at the University of Miami. I would not be here without the unwavering support and encouragement of the department and my amazing mentors, Drs. Kanamori, Beauchamps, and Doblecki-Lewis.”

Upon commencing their M.P.H. at the Department of Public Health Sciences, Silvey joined the laboratories of Mariano Kanamori, Ph.D., M.A., associate professor of public health sciences, Laura Beauchamps, M.D., associate professor of clinical medicine, and Susanne Doblecki-Lewis, M.D., professor and chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases.

Silvey played a pivotal role in several National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded Ending the HIV Epidemic projects, focusing on Latino men who have sex with men and Black and Latina transgender women. Silvey also co-led the NIH-funded DigiPrEP project, which aimed to promote pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) bundled with gender-affirming therapy for Black and Latina transgender women in South Florida. Their efforts were instrumental in establishing the University of Miami’s PrEP and Gender-Affirming Therapy Program, significantly impacting the community. 

Dr. Doblecki-Lewis noted Silvey's academic excellence, evidenced by their 4.0 GPA and numerous awards. Silvey has presented research at international conferences in the United Kingdom and Australia, as well as various national conferences. Their poster on PrEP and gender-affirming therapy received the "Best Scientific Poster in Behavioral Health" award at the Annual Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) Symposium. Additionally, Silvey is a co-author of a book chapter on HIV prevention included in the American Psychological Association Handbook of Health Psychology.

“Silvey has shared valuable information through slides and resource sheets they created on respectfully treating members of the transgender and non-binary (TGNB) community,” said Dr. Kanamori. Silvey emphasized the importance of respecting pronouns and navigating interactions with TGNB individuals. “Their presence brought diversity and sensitivity to the classroom, enriching the learning experience for students who had limited prior interaction with TGNB individuals,” added Dr. Kanamori. 

Additionally, Silvey led two sensitivity training sessions for Ryan White case managers through the University of Miami’s Southeast AIDS Education and Training Center, focusing on respectfully and compassionately serving transgender women living with HIV to promote retention in care. “They infused kindness, humor, and goodwill into these conversations,” Dr. Kanamori said. 

Beyond their academic achievements, Silvey has been a dedicated community advocate. They volunteered at the McKenzie Project, an organization for Black transgender people, where they helped build trust and engage community members. Silvey’s efforts earned them the Outstanding Volunteer Award from the McKenzie Project. 

In the upcoming academic year, Silvey will begin medical school at the University of Wisconsin, pursuing the primary care track. Their goal is to become a community-responsive physician-scientist, addressing HIV disparities faced by Black and Latinx transgender, non-binary, and gender-expansive communities. 

“Although we will miss their presence at the Miller School of Medicine, Silvey plans to launch a similar program at the University of Wisconsin, continuing their passion. The University of Wisconsin recognized the unique talent that Rebe will bring to their program” said Dr. Kanamori. 

Silvey expressed appreciation to those who believed in them and gave them the opportunities they never imagined they could have. “My training in the M.P.H. program at Miller School has allowed me to shine and engage in the work I was meant to do. I look forward to carrying my training, knowledge, and passion into medical school and beyond,” said Silvey.  

More recently, Silvey has received the Early Career Preventionist Network Travel Award from the Society for Prevention Science (SPR) Conference, granted by the SPR Board of Directors and Early Career Preventionist Network Committee.

Silvey's dedication to public health, academic excellence, and community advocacy makes them a deserving recipient of the Graduate Student Exemplary Award. Their contributions have already made a significant impact, and their future endeavors promise to continue advancing health equity and serving marginalized communities.