Florida doctor who removed man’s liver by mistake made other errors before deadly surgery: report

NORTHWEST FLORIDA ( WKRG ) — A 47-page report from the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration brings to light the details surrounding the surgery that led to a man’s death.

In August, William “Bill” Bryan, 70, underwent surgery at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast in Miramar Beach for a splenectomy, a procedure to remove the spleen.

However, Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky, DO, allegedly removed Bryan’s liver instead, which led to Bryan’s death.

Since then, questions have been raised about Shaknovsky’s practices.

According to a report from the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, his co-workers lacked confidence in him and the surgery.

One nurse told investigators, “We all had this eerie feeling.” Another nurse stated that she didn’t think they should be doing the procedure, adding that Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast is not a trauma facility.

According to family members, Bryan, who was staying at his rental property in Destin, wanted to return home to Alabama for the surgery. However, Shaknovsky allegedly urged him to get the surgery done at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast due to his condition.

According to the report, when the surgery took place, multiple witnesses allegedly saw the organ that was taken out of Bryan and were confident it was the liver. However, Shaknovsky allegedly insisted it was the spleen.

After the surgery, the medical examiner confirmed what the witnesses believed, stating, “Essentially the liver was autopsied out of that man,” while the spleen appeared untouched.

The report also added that the hospital identified a total of three surgical errors from May 2023 to August 2024. All three of those surgical errors involved Shaknovsky.

In the report, a nurse even told investigators “Everyone knows he’s not a good surgeon,” and that employees would not bring their family in if he is on call.

The Florida Department of Health ordered an emergency suspension on Shaknovsky’s license in September.

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