Helene Tanous MD

Helene was born in Ohio, grew up in Paris, France, where she attended the American School of Paris and Marymount Neuilly, and later came to the United States to attend Marymount College in Tarrytown, New York, earning her Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in 1961 and, years later, receiving the Golden Dome Award—presented by her classmate Barbara Robinson White at Butler Commons, Fordham University, on the 4th of June 4 2011. She received her medical degree at the University of Texas in Galveston in 1967.

Helene was a Resident in Radiology at the University of Southern California School of Medicine and at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

After an active practice in medicine as a specialty Board Certified Radiologist, Helene worked as Assistant Professor at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Assistant Professor at the University of Texas Medical School and University of South Florida, as well as Director of Medical Student Education in diagnostic radiology. She also published papers in medical journals and presented her research at the International Medical Women’s Association Congress in Berlin, Germany and Vancouver, Canada. She presented award-winning medical exhibits at national meetings and made appearances on television. In 1978 her research on child abuse, co-authored with Dr. Beverly Vance and published in Legal Aspects of Medical Practice, was entered as congressional testimony in Washington, D.C.

Helene was decorated Chevalier des Palmes Academiques by the Government of France in 1988. She was the president and founder of Children’s Advocates, which received an award from the State of Florida. She also was president of the Alliance Française of Tampa, served on the board of directors for the Florida Endowment for the Humanities and is a member of the Houston Committee on Foreign Relations.

She was married to Dr. John Camp, a professor at the University of South Florida in Tampa, as well as a virtuoso concert pianist.

Helene was preceded in death by her parents, Rose Mokarzel Tanous and Dr. Joseph C. Tanous and her husband, Dr. John Camp. She is survived by her sister, E. Najla Tanous JD and brother, Peter Tanous and his wife, Ann. She is lovingly remembered by her niece, Chantal Tanous D’Larenti and her husband, Carl Daniel and children Dante and Talia. Chantal occupied a place in Helene’s heart as dear as that of a beloved daughter, their bond defined by a profound, unwavering love that was both tender and enduring. She is also survived by nephews Christopher Tanous and Will Tanous; and niece, Helene Tanous Bartilucci.

A Celebration of Helene’s Life is to be conducted at one o’clock in the afternoon on Tuesday, the 7th of April, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held in the adjacent grand foyer.

We invite you to take a few moments to share memories and words of comfort and condolence with her family by selecting the ‘Add a Memory’ icon under the 'Show your Support' section below.