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Roger Lyons: following in the family tradition of great physicians
By GERRY POSNER The Lyons name is well known in Manitoba, particularly in the medical field. Just think: Dr. Ruvin Lyons, his son Dr. Ted Lyons, Dr. Ben Lyons and his son Dr. Roger Lyons – all physicians. That is quite a family medical history. Many readers will recall Ruvin Lyons as the go-to guy as an obstetrician; Ted as a world renowned radiologist and a pioneer in ultrasound; Ben Lyons, Winnipeg’s first cardiologist and the man who established the stress test for cardiac patients in Winnipeg; and Roger, listed in “America’s Top Doctors from 2000 to the present” for his work in hematology. Now that is serious talent. And I suppose you would not be surprised to learn that they are related. Ruvin and Ben were first cousins.
Roger Lyons is a graduate of the University of Manitoba Medical School and is proud of it. You might not have predicted his rise to fame as, rather than seeking the limelight, he was content to stay in the background. The son of Ben and Sybil (Wasserman), Roger was born in 1943 in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan – close to where his father had a medical office in Birch Hills.
Roger grew up in the south end of Winnipeg, graduating from Kelvin High School. He was what might be called an indifferent student. But, as soon as he hit medical school, his stock appreciated. Roger has said that he had a passion for medicine which has never diminished throughout his entire life.
Following graduation from the University of Manitoba Medical School in 1967, he interned and was a Junior Resident in Medicine at the then Winnipeg General Hospital,l as well as a Research Fellow at the Manitoba Cancer Research Foundation. He and his wife Barbara then left for St. Louis, where he became a Senior Resident in Medicine and then a Clinical Fellow in the Department of Hematology at Washington University School of Medicine in 1971-73, followed by a stint as a Research Fellow at the same university from 1973-75.
In 1975 Roger accepted an offer to become a part of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Texas. Roger remained there for five years, then his career course changed. In 1980, he established a private medical practice with his wife Barbara initially present as both the office manager and chemo nurse. Barbara was well qualified as she was a graduate of the Concord Repatriation Hospital Nursing School in Sydney, Australia. That practice, which began with Roger and Barb, has now grown to include 45 physicians.
In 1984 and 1985 Roger served as Chief of Hematology/Oncology Section at both the Methodist and Humana Hospitals in San Antonio. He later was appointed Vice-Chief and later Chief in the Department of Medicine from 1987-1990. For 14 years (from 1983-2005), Roger was the Chief of the Therapeutic Plasmapheresis Committee. He was also President of the Cancer Care Centers of South Texas for 37 years.
His practice grew and Roger and Barb decided to join USONCOLOGY. From 2012 to the present, he has been the Director of Hematology and the Medical Director of Laboratory Services for USONCOLOGY, subsequently for Texas Oncology as well. These groups are the largest private practice Hematology/Oncology groups in Texas and the USA. Yes, like his cousin Ted, Roger is still working in his field. In short, Lyons has a major professional history which has made him a big name in the Hematology world.
Moreover, Roger was affiliated with and still remains affiliated with at least five different hospitals in the San Antonio region. Over a period of 42 years he has been active on various committees related to the field of blood, cancer and leukemia, not to forget the multitude of other committees he has served on over the course of his career. As well, various medical societies and organizations have all been a component of Roger Lyons’ medical record.
What has also been a source of satisfaction to Roger is his ongoing involvement in clinical research – with 95 published articles in peer reviewed journals. And again, just like his cousin Ted, Roger has been active in his community. He is a former member of the South Texas Regional Blood Bank, and an editorial Board Member of ClotCare Online Resource. As well, Lyons serves as a member of the Finance Committee of Agudas Achim Synagogue in San Antonio and as a member of the Board of the Hebrew Free Loan Association. It is likely not a stretch to say that at one time his ancestors might have been on the receiving end of one of those loans when they first came to Canada and settled in Saskatchewan. The circle would be complete.
Roger’s and Barbara’s three kids all have followed their impressive father. Andrew Lyons is an author, daughter Alisha, a business owner and son Jonathan Lyons, an intellectual property lawyer. To top it off, Roger and Barb have seven grandchildren.
To reach the age of 78, albeit working a reduced schedule, yet still considered to be a star in his area of medicine, Roger Lyons has something going for him. He would attribute some of his success to having benefitted from the efforts of his wife Barbara, a past president of multiple Jewish organizations, including the Jewish Community Centre and Agudas Achim Synagogue, as well as a member of multiple Jewish and community foundation boards, and a woman whose management skills made Roger’s ascent possible. Roger also attributes his growing up in Winnipeg in a nurturing and supportive environment as having laid the groundwork for his success to this day. He is not “Lyin”. I should know. He and I have been friends for 75 years and he was my very first friend.
Features
BOOK REVIEW: “Fighting the Hate: A Handbook for Jews Under Siege”
Reviewed by MURRAY BENDER “Thinking on your feet”—quickly defending a position in a coherent, persuasive manner—is a situation that many people find challenging and stressful. “If only I had said this.” or “Why didn’t I say that?” Hindsight is always 20-20.
Following the Hamas atrocities of October 7, 2023, it has become increasingly necessary for diaspora Jews to “think on their feet” as they unwittingly face a barrage of tough, sometimes hateful, questions about Jews and their Israeli homeland.
Why is Israel committing genocide in Gaza? Why doesn’t Israel return the land it has stolen from Palestinians? Why are Israeli settlers attacking Palestinian farmers? How is Israel different from apartheid South Africa? Why can’t I criticize Israel without being called antisemitic? Is it true that Jews control the world? The list of potential questions is nearly endless.
Engage or hide? This is the difficult choice that confronts Jews as they look to deal with anti-Jewish and anti-Israeli behaviour. Fortunately, author and journalist Melanie Phillips comes to the rescue with her practical and insightful book, Fighting the Hate: A Handbook for Jews Under Siege.
According to Phillips, the dilemma has no single answer. “People need to decide how to behave in accordance not just with the specific circumstances but also with their own attributes and limitations.”
Some regard engagement with their opponents as a sacred duty. “They believe it is a betrayal of the Jewish people not to uphold Israel’s case.” Ohers may be uncomfortable with such a direct approach, but “those who decide to keep their heads down and avoid any altercation may well find that this leaves them with a permanent sense of regret and even failure,” she says.
As a result, it’s probably a good idea to adopt some sort of balance. And that’s where Phillips’ 150-page handbook comes in.
She starts by providing context around the “crisis of legitimacy and acceptance” from which Jews are reeling post-October 7. On the basis of extensive conversations with Jews from across the U.S., Britain and Australia, the author found that many “were near stupefied by the terrifying hatred and irrationality that was unfolding around them.” Again and again, they asked: “What should we do? What can we do?”
In response, Phillips offers a pragmatic approach to help prepare for the inevitable conversations, including a number of key principles:
- Get smart rather than emotional
- Stop playing defence
- Find common ground
- Be positive and confident
- Keep physically safe
Based on these overarching criteria, she provides an extensive list of quick and clever retorts to a range of different situations, emphasizing that “it’s our duty to our children and grandchildren to fight for truth and justice.”
So, the next time it is necessary to “think on their feet,” diaspora Jews will be able to respond quickly and confidently to those difficult questions about themselves and Israel. And they can thank Melanie Phillips for coming to the rescue.
Fighting the Hate: A Handbook for Jews Under Siege by Melanie Phillips is available online from Amazon and Indigo.
Features
ESports Meets Casinos: Overview of Bet Sport Gaming
ESports has become part of the interactive entertainment of online casinos. In fact, many fans already have the opportunity to use Dragonia Casino Bet Sport options while watching the matches of their favorite teams. The hybrid entertainment model opens up many possibilities and increases audience engagement. When video games intersect with betting, it creates a unique collaboration where participants have the opportunity to get a completely new experience right in their own home. At the same time, you can continue to enjoy the usual viewing of familiar tournaments and competitions.
How ESports and Casinos Interconnect
ESports has become a multi-billion-dollar industry that attracts spectators. Traditional casinos are focused on luck. But now they are introducing additional methods of encouraging their customers. Among such options, eSports events deserve special attention. Such bet sport offers combine the usual excitement with an element of competition. The structure of the casino entertainment provides participants with the opportunity to test their skills and reveal their own hidden talents. There are several forms of integration of eSports mechanics into the structure of a classic online casino:
- Competitive betting. Online casinos provide the opportunity to bet on eSports tournaments, which is similar to the usual sports betting. In addition, the possibilities are significantly expanded compared to simple viewing platforms.
- Skill-based casino games. Games inspired by eSports encourage players to actively participate in what is happening on the screen. The games reward the player’s results with certain prizes.
- Interactive arenas. Some casinos broadcast eSports events in real time. This allows players to follow the games directly online, which creates a feeling of real participation in familiar entertainment.
- Cross-platform interaction. Online casinos are introducing eSports-style leaderboards and achievements to attract more participants.
Such innovations appeal to new participants. Cultural changes are part of the development of the infrastructure of the classic casino, and eSports fans find a new environment for entertainment and communication.
Growth of ESports Betting
Global eSports revenue in 2025 exceeded $1.5 billion. Each bet sport option has made a significant contribution to the development. Surveys show that over 60% of players will express interest in betting on eSports, which reflects the demand and the need to develop an updated infrastructure for participation.
ESports events attract 15-20% more new participants compared to conventional casinos. The eSports betting market will exceed $20 billion by 2027, according to analysts’ forecasts, which encourages new participants to more actively watch tournaments and participate in various types of activity.
Why Fans Choose ESports
Bet sport gambling is gaining popularity. This is due to several reasons. For example, large casinos in Las Vegas and Macau now host full-fledged eSports tournaments alongside traditional entertainment. Venues are also experimenting with separate fan zones where sports betting and classic gambling are available.
Some of the most popular eSports disciplines are League of Legends and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. Some online casinos even introduce eSports mechanics into slots so that players can try something new.
In short, the intersection of eSports and casinos is a natural development of the industry. Competitive play and an optimized betting system create a comfortable environment for true fans who want to diversify their leisure time.
Features
Card Game Traditions: Complete Review from Casino Online Lolajack Experts
Card games have been around for centuries. They are constantly evolving and improving. For example, there are now many different formats of online games available. On sites like casino online Lolajack https://Lolajack.com/ca/, you can choose a title according to your preferences and skills. The traditions of card games date back to ancient times. To better show yourself, it is worth familiarizing yourself with these features. This way, you will gain experience, have a good time, and get acquainted with something completely new.
Roots of Card Games
Card games directly reflect cultural identity. They have a unique mathematical structure and thoughtful moves that make even professionals think. Depending on the tradition, the rules differ, but the basic principles always remain similar. Each game has a unique origin:
- Poker. It originated in the USA back in the 19th century. During its existence, many variations of gameplay have appeared. It combines risk, strategy, and psychology; therefore, it requires high skill from each player.
- Baccarat. This game has ancient origins. It appeared in the 15th century in Italy, after which it spread throughout Europe. Now it is the basis of any operator like casino online Lolajack.
- Rimmy and bridge. Card games require the cooperation of participants, so coordinated communication is important here.
- Blackjack. This is the perfect combination of skill and chance. The player needs to learn to make decisions quickly and monitor the circumstances.
Card games have their own origins and characteristics. Currently, they are an integral part of any online casino, offering a wide range of opportunities for participants.
Why Card Games Are So Popular
Experts from casino online Lolajack emphasize the importance of card games in many cultures. For example, poker remains the leader for a reason. There are more than 100 million active players worldwide who compete and work on their skills. Blackjack also does not lag behind the trends. The level of participation exceeds 40% of regular online casino users.
Every year, the level of online card games grows by 10%. This is possible due to digitalization and increased player awareness. In addition, seasonal events also increase the involvement of participants during peak periods.
Traditions of Card Games
Unique events attract the attention of fans. For example, the World Series of Poker attracts not only participants but also millions of viewers around the world. Sites such as casino online Lolajack also give participants the opportunity to try their hand and compete with professionals.
Baccarat is associated with high stakes. This is especially noticeable among the Asian audience, who like to put probability theory into practice. Blackjack also has an appeal among math lovers. The probabilities of the model and observations directly affect the decisions of players. Online casinos strive to ensure that participants have the opportunity to communicate and find an activity option according to their own preferences.
As a result, card games remain the true leaders of the gambling market. They not only entertain, but also develop attention, perseverance, and social skills. A large selection of various variations of classic games allows you to choose the version that suits your preferences. Developers do not lag behind trends and do everything possible to surprise fans.