Surgeon Allegedly Removes Wrong Organ as Patient Dies During Routine Operation at Florida Hospital in Miramar Beach

What was supposed to be a calm Florida getaway for Beverly and Bill Bryan quickly turned into something unimaginable.

Bill, a 70-year-old Navy veteran and retired boilermaker, had been complaining of sharp abdominal pain while they were visiting Miramar Beach.

A scan at Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital Emerald Coast suggested an enlarged spleen and internal bleeding concerns, though no active hemorrhage was seen. Doctors recommended surgery.

Bill reportedly wanted to return home to Alabama for treatment, but according to court records, he was urged to proceed quickly in Florida.

After what Beverly later described as repeated pressure from the surgeon, he agreed.

She had no idea it would be the last major decision he ever made.

The Operating Room That Went Wrong

Inside the operating theatre, things began to unravel almost immediately.

The procedure started as a minimally invasive “keyhole” surgery, but complications forced a switch to open surgery.

Staff later reported confusion, heavy bleeding, and a rapidly deteriorating situation.

At one point, Bill’s condition worsened so severely that he went into cardiac arrest.

According to investigative records, chaos followed as medical staff tried to stabilize him while the surgeon continued working despite the abdomen filling with blood.

Then came the critical mistake that would define the case: the removal of the wrong organ.

A Devastating Surgical Error

Investigators with the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners later concluded that Bill Bryan’s liver had been mistakenly removed instead of his spleen.

The liver, a large, dark red organ with unmistakable anatomy, is fundamentally different from the spleen in both location and structure.

Medical experts reviewing the case called the error “nearly impossible” in a competent surgical setting.

An autopsy later confirmed that Bill’s spleen had actually remained intact, directly contradicting the surgeon’s explanation.

Despite a reported 99% survival expectation for the original procedure, Bill died on the operating table in August 2024.

The Doctor at the Center of the Storm

The surgeon, Dr Thomas Shaknovsky, told Beverly a different version of events in the hospital chapel shortly after her husband’s death.

He described a ruptured artery and a diseased, enlarged spleen.

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But Beverly, a trained nurse, immediately sensed inconsistencies.

She recalled scans taken just days earlier that showed nothing close to the condition described.

Later, she would receive text messages from the doctor expressing condolences and offering prayers—messages she now believes may have been an attempt to gauge her understanding of what really happened.

A Pattern of Alleged Surgical Failures

As the investigation expanded, Bill’s case was no longer seen in isolation.

• In 2023, another patient, Michael Turner, underwent what was meant to be adrenal gland surgery but allegedly lost part of his pancreas instead. The case was settled for $400,000.
• Another patient, Dorothy Dorsett, died days after intestinal surgery that allegedly led to a severe infection and ICU admission before her death.

Multiple lawsuits and complaints began painting a disturbing pattern of repeated surgical complications and unusual outcomes under the same doctor.

Legal filings also referenced multiple prior complaints involving adverse surgical results dating back years.

Arrest and Criminal Charges

After an 18-month investigation, Dr Shaknovsky was indicted by a grand jury on a charge of second-degree manslaughter related to Bill Bryan’s death.

He was arrested in Miramar Beach and later released on bond while pleading not guilty.

Prosecutors argue the case reflects severe negligence, while his defense maintains that complications—not misconduct—led to the outcome.

He now faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

The Family Left Behind

For Beverly Bryan, the courtroom developments brought a complicated mix of relief and renewed grief.

She has described the emotional toll as overwhelming—days when even getting out of bed feels difficult.

The way her husband’s final moments unfolded continues to haunt her.

The couple, originally from Muscle Shoals, Alabama, had built a quiet life together after Bill’s Navy service.

Their sudden separation has left a lasting void.

Hospital and Legal Fallout

Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital stated that patient safety remains its priority and clarified that the surgeon was not a hospital employee.

He has not practiced at their facilities since 2024.

Meanwhile, attorneys representing affected families have compared the case to some of the most infamous medical malpractice scandals in U.S. history, arguing that the pattern suggests systemic failure rather than isolated mistakes.

Impact and Consequences

The case has intensified scrutiny of surgical oversight and hospital credentialing systems.

It raises uncomfortable questions about how doctors with multiple complaints can continue operating without intervention.

Public confidence in procedural safety—especially in smaller regional hospitals—has been shaken.

Families now facing similar procedures are more likely to question second opinions and hospital practices.

Legally, the case could set a precedent for how repeated adverse outcomes are handled in malpractice and criminal proceedings.

What’s next?

The upcoming court hearings will focus on:

• Whether the surgical error constitutes criminal negligence
• The credibility of operating room testimonies
• Prior complaints and whether they were properly investigated
• Medical expert analysis of the procedural breakdown

Further civil lawsuits are also expected, with additional patients reportedly coming forward.

Summary

A routine spleen surgery in Florida ended in tragedy when a Navy veteran died after a catastrophic surgical mistake allegedly led to the removal of the wrong organ.

Investigations revealed prior complaints against the surgeon, multiple patient harm allegations, and potential systemic failures.

The case now moves into criminal court while raising broader concerns about surgical accountability.

Bulleted Takeaways

• Bill Bryan died during routine spleen surgery in August 2024
• Investigators say his liver was removed instead of his spleen
• The surgeon, Dr Thomas Shaknovsky, has been charged with manslaughter
• Multiple prior patients allegedly suffered serious surgical complications
• A $400,000 settlement was previously paid in another malpractice case
• The doctor has pleaded not guilty and is out on bond
• The case has drawn comparisons to major medical malpractice scandals
• Hospital says the surgeon was not its employee and is no longer practicing there
• Family continues to struggle emotionally while seeking accountability