Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky’s medical license in Florida has been suspended following a shocking alleged fatal mistake in surgery along with at least one other serious medical error.
At a Glance
- Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky reportedly mistakenly removed a liver instead of a spleen, resulting in a patient’s death.
- The incident involved a 70-year-old Alabama man named William Bryan.
- Dr. Shaknovsky has a history of surgical errors, prompting the suspension of his medical license.
- The patient’s family seeks criminal and civil proceedings against the doctor.
The Fatal Incident
On August 21, 2024, Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky performed a hand-assisted laparoscopic splenectomy on William Bryan at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast hospital in Florida. Bryan was originally admitted for left-sided flank pain and concerns about his spleen. Despite initial reluctance, Bryan and his wife, Beverly, chose to proceed after being warned about potential serious complications.
During the surgery, the doctor allegedly removed Bryan’s liver instead of his spleen, leading to Bryan’s death. The liver was mistakenly labeled as a spleen, an error discovered posthumously.
Dr. Shaknovsky claimed the “spleen” was unusually large and had migrated, but anatomically, the liver and spleen are distinct. Bryan’s actual spleen, the source of his symptoms, remained in his body with a small cyst. The tragic error triggered immediate questions about the doctor’s competence and raised significant concerns about surgical practices.
Surgeon removes wrong organ, killing patient, Florida official says. He’s suspended https://t.co/QChAZ7F7pr
— Fresno Bee (@FresnoBee) September 27, 2024
Doctor’s Medical History and Legal Actions
Shaknovsky’s medical history reportedly includes a prior incident in which he allegedly removed part of a patient’s pancreas when he shouldn’t have.
Beverly Bryan is seeking justice to prevent the doctor from treating more patients. She is calling for both criminal and civil proceedings against Dr. Shaknovsky, although he has not been criminally charged and has no public complaints or disciplinary cases of record.
“My husband died while helpless on the operating room table by Dr. Shaknovsky. I don’t want anyone else to die due to his incompetence at a hospital that should have known or knew he had previously made drastic, life-altering surgical mistakes,” Beverly Bryan said.
The Department of Health and Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo ordered a suspension of Dr. Shaknovsky’s medical license in Florida this week, citing numerous operative reports containing deceptive statements.
According to Ladapo, “Dr. Shaknovsky’s repeated egregious surgical errors resulting in significant patient harm coupled with his failure to take responsibility for these errors indicates that his reckless conduct is likely to continue.”
Shaknovsky is reportedly still licensed to practice medicine in Alabama, which Beverly Bryan also hopes will be revoked.
Hospital Response and Patient Safety
Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast hospital is conducting a thorough investigation, emphasizing patient safety as a paramount concern. The facility remains tight-lipped due to confidentiality laws, but has indicated that North Walton Doctor’s Hospital has disassociated itself from Shaknovsky.
Dr. Shaknovsky’s reported missteps have had a profound impact on the lives of those affected. William Bryan, a navy veteran and boilermaker, left behind a grieving family, including his wife of 33 years, three children, and eight grandchildren. Their loss underscores the dire consequences of medical errors and the importance of stringent oversight in the healthcare system.
Conclusion
The revocation of Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky’s medical license is a tragic reminder of the immense responsibilities of surgeons. The medical community must ensure rigorous standards and ongoing monitoring to protect patients from potential harm. As investigations continue, families affected by these tragic errors seek justice, and the medical field faces a renewed call for accountability.
Sources
- Surgeon removes wrong organ, killing patient, Florida official says. He’s suspended
- US man died because doctor removed wrong organ in procedure, family says
- Surgeon who ‘fired a stapling device blindly’ into patient and removed the wrong organ, killing him, loses license
