Heather Canary

Dr. Heather Canary is a Professor and Director of the School of Communication at San Diego State University (SDSU). She previously held academic positions at Arizona State University and the University of Utah. Her research focuses on organizational, family, and health communication, with notable projects addressing surgical team communication, policy communication compliance, and communication challenges in healthcare contexts like pediatric hospitals and genetic testing. Supported by NSF and NIH grants, her work integrates structuration theory and activity systems analysis to explore complex communication processes.

Educationally, Dr. Canary holds a PhD from Arizona State University and has taught courses in organizational leadership, family communication, and communication theory. Her teaching emphasizes ethical communication practices and interdisciplinary approaches. Beyond academia, she enjoys trail running and backyard farming in Mt. Helix, San Diego.

Her research spans diverse fields including medical decision-making, cross-cultural health communication, and institutional policy implementation. Notable contributions include studies on diagnosis disclosure for Down syndrome, telehealth genetic consultations, and pediatric brain injury reintegration. She advocates for integrating social justice and anti-racism principles into academic curricula, reflecting her commitment to ethical communication practices in organizational and healthcare settings.

Dr. Canary’s work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications, often collaborating with healthcare providers, policymakers, and communities to improve communication outcomes that directly impact patient care, organizational effectiveness, and family well-being.