Ellen Balaam (1891–1985) was an Australian physician and the first woman surgeon in Melbourne.

She taught mathematics at a public school in order to supplement this scholarship.

Balaam was appointed to a resident medical officer position at the Melbourne Hospital[6] the following year.

She married her classmate, Dr Thomas Wright in 1916,[7] and they both served as medical officers.

They went into practice together,[8] before Balaam was appointed to a clinical assistant position at the Queen Victoria Hospital in 1917.