William Bryan and his wife, Beverly, were visiting their vacation rental in Destin, Florida, in August 2023. What started as a relaxing getaway took a sharp turn when William experienced severe pain in his lower left abdomen.
Hoping for a quick resolution, they headed to Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital, a decision that would lead to devastating consequences.
A Shocking Diagnosis
Upon arriving at the hospital, doctors suspected something was wrong with William’s spleen. Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky, the attending surgeon, recommended emergency surgery, insisting that any delay could lead to serious complications.
Despite his wife’s suggestion to return to Alabama for treatment, William agreed to the procedure under reported immense pressure from the medical staff.
A Life-Altering Decision
Beverly, a retired nurse, tried to convince Dr. Shaknovsky to allow her husband to be transferred home for surgery. However, the surgeon warned that moving William could result in fatal bleeding.
Reluctantly, the Bryans trusted the doctor’s advice, believing that immediate surgery was the safest option.
A Critical Mistake in the OR
On August 21, 2023, William underwent surgery, which was supposed to remove his spleen. However, during the procedure, Dr. Shaknovsky reportedly mistakenly removed William’s liver instead.
This error resulted in catastrophic blood loss, and tragically, William died on the operating table. It wasn’t until after his death that the surgical team realized the fatal mistake.
Liver Labeled as Spleen
According to the family’s attorney, Joe Zarzaur, the surgeon even labeled William’s liver as his spleen. It wasn’t until the medical examiner performed an autopsy that the true scope of the error became clear.
The examiner confirmed that William’s spleen was still intact, and the “spleen” removed during surgery was actually his liver.
The Family’s Fight for Justice
In the wake of William’s death, Beverly Bryan and her family have vowed to seek justice. “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 said through her attorney.
The family has demanded a full investigation into the incident and is pursuing both a lawsuit and a criminal case.
Not the Surgeon’s First Mistake
Disturbingly, this wasn’t the first time Dr. Shaknovsky had been involved in a surgical error. Just a year earlier, he had removed a portion of a patient’s pancreas instead of performing an adrenal gland resection.
That case was quietly settled, but it raised serious concerns about the surgeon’s competence.
Hospital Under Scrutiny
Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital, where the surgery took place, is now under intense scrutiny. While the hospital has launched its own investigation, many are questioning how Dr. Shaknovsky was allowed to continue performing surgeries after previous incidents.
The family is also pushing for accountability from the hospital, hoping that changes will be made to prevent further tragedies.
Medical Examiner’s Findings
The medical examiner’s report added another layer to the case. While investigating the cause of William’s initial abdominal pain, the examiner discovered a small cyst on his spleen, which was likely the source of his discomfort.
This further confirmed that the spleen had never been removed, highlighting the magnitude of the surgical error.
A Widow’s Heartbreaking Plea
Beverly Bryan, heartbroken by the loss of her husband, is now on a mission to ensure that no other family experiences the same tragedy.
“I know I’m not the only wife who’s lost her husband suddenly, but the loss of my Bill was exceptionally unnecessary and brutal,” she said.
Surgeon Scrubbed from Websites
Since the surgery, Dr. Shaknovsky has been removed from multiple medical websites, including North Walton Doctor’s Hospital, HCA Florida, and Ascension Sacred Heart.
His profile and photos have been scrubbed as the investigation unfolds—a move that has raised questions about the transparency and accountability of medical institutions.
The Legal Battle Ahead
As Beverly Bryan and her family prepare for a lengthy legal battle, their attorney is working through the pre-suit process, which could take six to nine months.
The family is seeking both justice and accountability for William’s death, hoping to prevent Dr. Shaknovsky from ever practicing medicine again.
