Santa Rosa Beach, Fla. – A tragic surgery at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital in Miramar Beach is currently under investigation following claims by the patient’s family that a doctor removed the wrong organ, leading to the patient’s death.
William “Bill” Bryan, 70, and his wife Beverly were visiting their rental property in Destin on August 19 when Bill began experiencing pain on his left side. According to Beverly, he complained of pain in his left shoulder, neck, and side, prompting the couple to seek medical attention at Ascension Sacred Heart on the Emerald Coast. Bill was admitted as a patient under Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky, who diagnosed a spleen condition and recommended immediate surgery.
“We contacted Bill’s regular doctor in Northwest Alabama, and he assured us that surgeons there would be ready when we got home,” Beverly, a retired nurse, explained. “But Dr. Shaknovsky insisted that moving Bill could result in him bleeding to death, so we felt forced to stay.”
On August 21, the surgery took place. However, according to the family’s attorney, Joe Zarzaur, Dr. Shaknovsky mistakenly removed Bill’s liver instead of his spleen. Bill died on the operating table.
Beverly recounted the shocking discovery: “A pathologist told me that a bag labeled ‘spleen’ contained Bill’s liver. Later, a medical examiner confirmed that Bill’s spleen was still intact.”
Heartbroken, Beverly expressed her devastation, stating, “Everyone knows you can’t live without a liver. It’s like they removed his heart. The loss of my Bill was so unnecessary and brutal.”
Dr. Shaknovsky has 14 years of medical experience, but this is reportedly the second wrong-site surgery he has been involved in. According to Zarzaur, a previous incident in 2023 at the same facility resulted in a settled case.
Bill’s widow and Zarzaur are seeking justice and want to ensure this doesn’t happen to anyone else. “If you’re seeing Dr. Shaknovsky, I urge you to ask for a different doctor,” Zarzaur advised. “Even if it’s for a non-surgical issue, I wouldn’t trust him with any patient.”
Beverly echoed similar sentiments, saying, “I had no idea it could take so long for a doctor to lose their license. I thought the process would be immediate once something like this happened, but it’s not.”
Since the incident, Dr. Shaknovsky has been removed from several medical office websites, including North Walton Doctor’s Hospital, HCA Florida, and Ascension Sacred Heart. Ascension Sacred Heart released a statement offering condolences to the family and confirming that an internal investigation is ongoing.
Bill’s death is also being investigated by the local authorities. The Walton County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the District 1 Medical Examiner’s Office and the State Attorney’s Office, is reviewing the case to determine if any criminal charges are warranted.
“At this time, no criminal charges have been filed,” the sheriff’s office stated. “We ask for the public’s patience as this investigation is complex and may take time.”
Meanwhile, Zarzaur has begun the legal process for a potential medical malpractice suit, which could take six to nine months before any civil lawsuit is filed.
The case continues to unfold, with both legal and medical reviews underway.
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