Rate My Professor Marissa Roffler

Marissa Roffler, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences, at Rockhurst University. Her office is located in Van Ackeren Hall 419. Roffler's research focuses on psychological aspects of medical education, including learning strategies, coping mechanisms for healthcare professionals, and the integration of humanities to foster empathy and resilience among medical students.

In 2022, Roffler co-authored 'Self-reported Learning and Study Strategies in First and Second Year Medical Students' with Ryan Sheehy, published in Medical Science Educator. The study analyzed differences in study habits and approaches between cohorts, with Roffler handling conception, design, data collection, and analysis. That same year, she contributed to 'A Retrospective and Correlative Analysis of Academic and Nonacademic Predictors of COMLEX Level 1 Performance' with Michael W. Kortz and others in the Journal of Osteopathic Medicine, examining factors influencing exam outcomes. In 2021, alongside Cindy Schmidt, she published 'Coping with the Practice of Medicine: Religion, Spirituality, and Other Personal Strategies' in the Journal of Religion and Health. This qualitative research, based on reflections from 44 residents and faculty, identified key coping methods such as family connections, learning from errors, cognitive behavioral techniques, and spiritual practices like prayer and meditation used by one-third of participants. More recently, in 2024, Roffler collaborated with Ryan Sheehy on 'Medical Student Use of Practice Questions in Their Studies: A Qualitative Study' in BMC Medical Education. In 2025, she co-authored 'A Three-Year Study With In-Person and Remote Art-Based Curriculum on Medical Students’ Empathy, Wellness, and Resiliency' with Sarah W. Kruse and team. Her seven publications on ResearchGate have amassed 39 citations, reflecting her impact at the nexus of psychology and medical training. Roffler mentors undergraduate researchers, sponsoring presentations at the Great Plains Students Psychology Convention, and presents at professional gatherings like the Kansas Psychological Association conference.