Comorbidities: Depression & Chronic Illness
Susan Benson, RN, MSN, P-MS, FNP, DNP, CCP

- Define the role of neurotransmitters in depression and implications for care.
- Describe steps for depression screening and differential diagnosis.
- Evaluate types of depression, common comorbidities and evidence-based treatment options.
- Describe how to listen for, and respond to, a person with depression.

Dr. Benson has served as a care manager for a leading disease management organization. Earlier positions include collegiate teaching, large scale continuing education program and product development, grant creation, implementation and management, organizational redesign, and product sales and marketing. Her academic credentials include a master's degree in nursing from the University of Pennsylvania and graduate MBA courses at Wharton School of Business for the business and health care administration specialization component. Other certifications include ANCC clinical nurse specialist, school nursing, and Chronic Care Professional (CCP). She received her BSN from University of Minnesota School of Nursing and completed the Family Nurse Practitioner program. She is an ANCC board certified family nurse practitioner and completed her Doctorate of Nursing Practice at University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in May 2009.