My name is Devin Bocook, and I am a second-year medical student at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine. I earned my B.S. in Neuroscience from the University of Kentucky, where I graduated Summa Cum Laude and received the NEU Scholar Award. 

Over the last four and a half years, I have traveled to high schools and universities across Wisconsin, Kentucky, and Tennessee, giving presentations on topics such as how to be a competitive premed applicant and how to get accepted into medical school. During this time, I provided free, longitudinal mentorship to countless premedical students, where I realized just how great the need for guidance truly is.

This led me to create MedRise Mentors, an organization built on the belief that no student should navigate the path to medicine alone. Through MedRise Mentors, I’ve cultivated a community of dedicated medical students and premedical gap-year students who share a common goal: to support and empower the next generation of future physicians.

I hope that MedRise Mentors becomes a movement - one that makes the journey to medicine more collaborative, more accessible, and more equitable. By breaking down barriers and expanding access to mentorship, we aim to ensure that students from all backgrounds have the confidence, direction, and resources they need to RISE into their future careers in medicine.

My name is Sehrab Bagha, and I am a medical student at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine. I was born in Calgary, Canada, but I have lived in Memphis since middle school, an experience that has deeply shaped who I am and sparked a lasting desire to give back to the community that raised me. I also attended the University of Memphis.

As a first-generation student, navigating the path to medicine was often overwhelming. I lacked clear guidance on how to approach the application process, what experiences truly mattered, and how to position myself as a competitive applicant. There were moments where I felt lost, unsure of the next step, and without the mentorship that so many others seemed to have access to.

These challenges inspired me to help found this program. My goal is simple but deeply personal: to ensure that students, especially those from underserved backgrounds or those who feel uncertain about their path, have access to the mentorship and support they deserve. No one should have to figure this journey out alone, and financial barriers should never stand in the way of guidance.

This initiative is built on the belief that mentorship should be accessible to everyone. By providing free support, resources, and direction, we hope to empower students with the confidence and clarity they need to pursue a career in medicine. Ultimately, this is about creating opportunity, building community, and giving others the support I once wished I had.

My name is Bennett Arza, and I am an incoming first-year medical student. I was born and raised in Northern Illinois and earned my bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience from the University of Kentucky. I will be beginning medical school this fall as I continue my journey toward becoming a physician. 

I did not grow up with a background in medicine, so my path to this field was shaped by trial and error. As someone who navigated the pre-med process without connections in medicine, I understand how overwhelming the journey can feel and how valuable accessible mentorship truly is. During my time at Kentucky, I was fortunate to find incredible mentors who guided and supported me, ultimately playing a pivotal role in my success. This taught me the importance of mentorship and the power of support in helping students reach their goals.

The impact of pre-medical mentorship on my own journey inspired me to help found MedRise Mentors. Through high school presentations about the medical school process, free mentorship, and accessible resources, I hope we can help the next generation of physicians achieve their goals. I am passionate about supporting the next generation of aspiring physicians, especially those who, like me, may not know where to turn, by providing guidance, encouragement, and honest insight along the way.

My name is Carlie Arlinghaus, and I am a first-year medical student at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. I am from Northern Kentucky, and I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Kentucky, earning a Bachelor of Science in Human Health Sciences and graduating Summa Cum Laude. As a first-generation college student, I have personally experienced the vital role mentors have in guiding students through the medical school journey. I’m excited to be part of MedRise Mentors, helping students navigate this path with the same guidance and support that has been so meaningful to me.