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Elsbeth ‘Elly’ Wood (she/her)

Executive Assistant & Practice Manager

Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country and Dja Dja Wurrung Country
(Richmond & Blackwood, VIC) 0414 220 337 elly5266wood@gmail.com LinkedIn profile Download Resume (PDF)

Summary

Executive Assistant and Practice Manager with 15+ years’ experience supporting senior executives and specialists across healthcare, corporate, and defence sectors. Skilled in executive support, complex diary management, stakeholder engagement, travel coordination, medical administration, accreditation compliance, and office operations. Recognised for professionalism, discretion, adaptability, and the ability to manage competing priorities in fast-paced environments.

Experience

Executive Assistant & Practice Manager

April 2020 — Present
Professor Helen O’Connell AO | East Melbourne, VIC

Supporting Professor O’Connell — President of the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand — across clinical, administrative, and executive functions.

  • Diary coordination for USANZ meetings; flights, accommodation and registration for national and international conferences.
  • Managed stakeholder communications with CEOs, medical specialists, pharmaceutical representatives, and patients.
  • Full suite accreditation management — authored the practice’s Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Scheme (DIAS) Manual.
  • Practice management covering website, audio typing, patient and business accounting, and medical staff support.
  • Software — Genie Medical, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, iCloud, Gmail.

Business & Support Officer / Data Analytics

October 2019 — October 2020
Rheinmetall Defence | Melbourne, VIC

Supported Melbourne’s Executive Team at one of Australia’s leading defence suppliers, then moved to a freelance R&D data analytics role.

  • Direct executive support including national and international travel bookings for 180 employees.
  • Diary and catering management across 8 conference rooms at the Bourke Street corporate office.
  • Contributed to an AI team developing software for an autonomous vehicle — project delivered two working demo vehicles for roadshow.

Practice Manager & Personal Assistant

November 2016 — May 2018
Church Street Eye Clinic (Dr. Terrence Ong) | Hawthorn, VIC
  • Increased practice earnings by 32%.
  • Grew new patient intake by 12%.
  • Reduced unpaid accounts by 63%.
  • Overhauled office procedures to align with industry standards.

Strengths

  • Exceptionally organised with strong time management.
  • Positive leader and collaborative team member.
  • Fast learner — confident taking on new systems and responsibilities.
  • Calm under pressure with exemplary problem-solving.
  • Discreet and professional with sensitive information.

Core Skills

  • Executive Support & Diary Management
  • Complex Calendar Coordination
  • Travel & Conference Management
  • Stakeholder & Patient Liaison
  • Medical Administration & Practice Management
  • Accreditation & Compliance Documentation
  • Accounts Administration & Billing Support
  • Document Preparation & Audio Typing
  • Meeting Coordination & Minute Taking
  • Process Improvement & Office Operations
  • Data Entry & Records Management
  • Confidential Information Handling
  • Customer Service & Relationship Management
  • Event & Catering Coordination
  • Executive Communication

Technical Competencies

  • Executive calendar management
  • Travel and itinerary preparation
  • Expense reconciliation
  • Meeting preparation and board support
  • Medical billing administration
  • Document formatting and reporting
  • Records and database management
  • Genie Medical & MS Office suite

Education & Certifications

  • Google Project Management Certificate 2025
  • Working with Children Check | Victoria, Australia Current
  • Nelson College for Girls | New Zealand 2001

Volunteer

FareShare Australia (November 2014 — 2022): Volunteered biweekly for eight years at FareShare’s industrial kitchen — preparing meals, collecting donated goods by van, and participating in fundraising events to support people in need.

Awards

  • New Zealand Young Playwright of the Year 2000
  • New Zealand Young Playwright of the Year 1999

References

  • Professor Helen O’Connell MD MMed MBBS FRACS FAICD
    Dr Helen E. O’Connell Pty Ltd — contact details on request
  • Mrs Dawn Hevey BSC RN
    Dr Helen E. O’Connell Pty Ltd — contact details on request
Download Resume (PDF)