Professional Qualifications

2014 Fellow Australian Institute of Company Directors (FAICD)

2005 Doctorate of Medicine (MD) University of Melbourne

1997 Master Medicine (MMed) University of Melbourne

1994 Royal Australasian College of Surgeon, FRACS (Urol)

1985 MBBS - University of Melbourne

Professor Helen O’Connell was trained in Australia by the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand, the peak body for urological surgeons. 

The training program for Urologists is accredited with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons from which Dr O’Connell gained her surgical qualification the FRACS (Urol). 

Professor O’Connell undertook advanced post Fellowship training in the USA, specialising in the surgical management of disorders affecting urinary function.

Professor Helen O’Connell completed training as Australia’s first female Urologist in 1994. She was Fellowship trained by world renowned expert in NeuroUrology and Urology, Dr Edward J McGuire MD, in Houston, Texas 1994-1995. Based at The University of Melbourne, Royal Melbourne Hospital and Melbourne Private Hospital, she completed a Doctorate of Medicine in female pelvic anatomy in 2004 having earned a Masters degree in 1997 for a project on female urge incontinence.  

Professor O’Connell has been on the Board of Directors of Royal Australasian College of Surgeons since 2005 and was the specially elected Director to the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand for 2005-2010. She was the Chair of the Board of Surgical Research for the College in 2007-2009.  

Her clinical and research focus is on surgical treatment to rectify lower urinary tract problems, particularly incontinence and outlet obstruction.