Continence Health Australia announces appointment of Professor Helen O’Connell AO as Chair Elect.
Continence Health Australia is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Helen O’Connell AO, recognised as Australia’s first female urologist, as Director and Chair Elect of the Board.
Interim Chair, Professor Rosemary Calder AM and the Board undertook a comprehensive selection process focused on appointing a Chair with clinical expertise in continence health, together with senior leadership and governance experience.
Professor O’Connell is a leader in urological research and clinical care for both men and women and is internationally respected for her academic contributions.
She brings decades of surgical expertise, combined with a commitment to advancing understanding and care in urological and continence health.
From 2023 to 2025, Professor O’Connell was President of the Board of Directors for the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand and is currently Past President.
Internationally recognised for her leadership, innovation, research and education, Professor O’Connell has played a significant role in advancing international collaborations. As Chair of the International Continence Society (ICS) Melbourne 2021 Virtual Convention, she provided strategic leadership for this major international scientific meeting, successfully bringing together clinicians, researchers and healthcare professionals from around the world.
Continence Health Australia’s Interim Chair, Professor Rosemary Calder AM, welcomed the appointment. “The Board is very pleased to appoint Professor Helen O’Connell AO as Chair Elect. She brings an exceptional combination of clinical excellence and governance capability. Her leadership will be instrumental in guiding Continence Health Australia as we expand our impact and continue to advocate for better continence prevention, treatment and care across the country.”
Continence Health Australia plays a critical role in guiding continence health into the future by providing national leadership, advocacy and trusted education for consumers and health professionals. Sustained and appropriate funding is essential to ensure continence health is recognised as a fundamental component of health and wellbeing, ensuring early intervention, reducing long-term health system costs and improving quality of life for millions of people in Australia.
As Chair of the Board, Professor Helen O’Connell AO will continue this journey, working closely with the organisation to drive progress, strengthen clinical leadership and ensure continence health remains a national priority into the future.
Jim Cooper, CEO of Continence Health Australia said he was looking forward to working closely with Professor O’Connell to drive innovation, strengthen partnerships and improve access to continence care.
“Professor O’Connell is a respected leader whose contribution to urological research and patient care is internationally recognised. Her appointment reflects our commitment to strong, clinically informed leadership at Board level,” he said.
Professor O’Connell said she was honoured to take on the role. “Continence health is a critical yet often overlooked aspect of wellbeing, and I am passionate about advancing awareness, research and high-quality care in this field. I look forward to working with the Board, management and stakeholders to build on the organisation’s strong foundations and to lead it into its next phase of impact and growth.”
Professor O’Connell will formally take over as Chair on 19 September 2026.
The Interim Chair, Rosemary Calder AM will remain on the Board until November 2026. As a founding member of Continence Health Australia, Professor Rosemary Calder AM played a critical role in establishing and shaping the organisation, highlighting continence health as a significant public health issue and advocating for prevention, management and quality of care.
Over the years, her commitment has extended well beyond organisational leadership, to also championing outcomes for people living with bladder and bowel control health conditions and ensuring collaboration across healthcare, government, research and community sectors. Her dedication for improving the lives of others has left a lasting legacy on the continence sector.
Professor O’Connell recognised this commitment, noting: “Rosemary Calder’s vision, commitment and advocacy have been so important in shaping continence health in Australia. It is a privilege to continue building on the strong foundation and continuing the collaboration and innovation that will improve outcomes for consumers and the health sector.”
