Dr Thomas Shaknovsky biography – Florida surgeon charged with manslaughter after allegedly removing patient’s liver instead of spleen. Full profile, career details, and legal case information.
Who is Dr Thomas Shaknovsky?
Dr Thomas Shaknovsky is a 44-year-old osteopathic surgeon whose medical career ended in controversy and criminal charges following a fatal surgical error in August 2024. Once a practicing general and colorectal surgeon in Florida’s Panhandle region, he now faces second-degree manslaughter charges after allegedly removing a patient’s liver instead of his spleen during what was supposed to be a routine laparoscopic splenectomy.
The Alabama native William “Bill” Bryan, aged 70, died on the operating table at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital in Miramar Beach, Florida, on August 21, 2024, after experiencing catastrophic blood loss from the alleged surgical error. This incident triggered investigations by multiple medical boards, resulted in the suspension of Shaknovsky’s medical licenses across three states, and eventually led to criminal indictment by a grand jury in April 2026.
Before this tragic incident, Shaknovsky had built a career spanning over 15 years in general surgery, serving communities in Florida’s Crestview and Destin areas. He graduated from Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine at Midwestern University in 2009 and completed his residency training at prestigious medical centers in New Jersey. His practice focused on colorectal surgery, treating conditions ranging from colon cancer to inflammatory bowel diseases.
The case has raised serious questions about patient safety, surgical competency standards, and hospital oversight procedures. What makes this case particularly disturbing is that it allegedly represents the second time in two years that Shaknovsky was accused of removing the wrong organ during surgery, pointing to a pattern of surgical errors rather than an isolated mistake.
Quick Profile: Dr Thomas Shaknovsky
| Personal & Professional Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Dr Thomas J. Shaknovsky |
| Age | 44 years old (as of 2026) |
| Degree | Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) |
| Medical School | Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University (2009) |
| Specialty | General Surgery, Colorectal Surgery |
| Years in Practice | 17 years (2009-2026) |
| Previous Hospital Affiliations | Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital, Twin Cities Hospital |
| Practice Locations | Crestview, FL; Destin, FL |
| Military Service | U.S. Army (Major rank) |
| Criminal Charge | Second-degree Manslaughter |
| Current Status | Medical licenses suspended; held on $75,000 bond |
| Notable Case | William Bryan wrongful death (August 21, 2024) |
Educational Background and Medical Training
Dr Thomas Shaknovsky’s medical journey began in the Midwest, where he attended Loyola University Chicago for his undergraduate education. During his sophomore year at Loyola, he made the significant decision to join the United States Army, eventually achieving the rank of Major while continuing to serve.
After completing his undergraduate studies, Shaknovsky pursued his medical degree at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, part of Midwestern University. He graduated in 2009 with a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree. Osteopathic physicians receive training similar to MDs but with additional emphasis on the musculoskeletal system and whole-person care approaches.
Following medical school, he completed his surgical residency training at Richmond University Medical Center and Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey. These residency programs provided him with hands-on experience in general surgical procedures, emergency operations, and specialized techniques necessary for independent practice.
His fellowship training included additional specialization in colorectal surgery, preparing him to handle complex cases involving the lower digestive tract, including conditions like colon cancer, hemorrhoids, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis. This specialized training was supposed to position him as an expert in abdominal surgeries.
Medical Career Before the Fatal Incident
Early Practice Years
Dr Shaknovsky established his surgical practice in Florida’s Panhandle region, specifically serving the communities of Crestview and Destin. He became affiliated with multiple hospitals including Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital and Twin Cities Hospital (now HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital).
His practice focused primarily on colorectal surgery and general surgical procedures. According to medical directories, he treated conditions including colonoscopy procedures, mastectomy, colon removal, intestinal obstruction, and obstructed inguinal hernias. His general surgery skills meant he handled a wide variety of surgical cases beyond just colorectal issues.
Patient Reviews and Professional Reputation
Before the fatal 2024 incident, patient reviews of Dr Shaknovsky were generally positive. Healthcare rating platforms like Healthgrades reported a likelihood of recommendation score of 4.6 out of 5, with patients frequently mentioning his caring and compassionate approach to medical care.
His professional philosophy, as stated in his medical profiles, emphasized that “superior results are achieved by a combination of a strong interpersonal relationship between patient and surgeon, superior surgical skill and prayer.” This statement reflected his approach to medicine that combined technical competence with personal connection and spiritual faith.
Insurance and Accessibility
Throughout his career, Dr Shaknovsky accepted a wide range of insurance plans including Cigna, Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Humana, and many others, making his services accessible to diverse patient populations. His office was located at 36468 Emerald Coast Parkway in Destin, serving the beach communities along Florida’s Emerald Coast.
The Fatal August 2024 Incident
William Bryan’s Final Days
In August 2024, 70-year-old William “Bill” Bryan and his wife Beverly, a longtime registered nurse from Muscle Shoals, Alabama, were vacationing at their rental property in Okaloosa County, Florida. During their stay, Bill began experiencing severe pain on his left side, prompting a visit to Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital in Walton County.
Hospital imaging revealed a suspected enlarged spleen and blood in the peritoneum with no active hemorrhage. Based on these findings, Dr Shaknovsky recommended immediate surgical intervention through a laparoscopic splenectomy to remove the spleen.
Pressure to Proceed with Surgery
According to court filings and the family’s legal representatives, neither Bill nor Beverly initially wanted surgery at that facility. They preferred returning home to Alabama for treatment. However, Dr Shaknovsky, along with the hospital’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Christopher Bacani, reportedly convinced the couple that Bill could experience serious complications including fatal bleeding if the surgery wasn’t performed urgently.
Under this pressure, Bill Bryan reluctantly consented to the procedure. The surgery was scheduled for late in the day on August 21, 2024, after 5:00 PM, raising immediate concerns among operating room staff about the timing and available resources.
Operating Room Concerns
According to Florida health officials’ emergency application to suspend Shaknovsky’s license, the operating room staff expressed multiple concerns before the surgery began. They noted they only had a “skeletal crew” available for the late-day procedure and raised specific concerns about Dr Shaknovsky’s lack of experience and skills in handling emergency situations.
Staff members knew that splenectomies were complicated procedures that could quickly deteriorate and were not regularly performed at that facility. Despite these reservations, the surgery proceeded.
The Fatal Error
During what was scheduled to be a laparoscopic splenectomy, Dr Shaknovsky allegedly removed William Bryan’s liver instead of his spleen. This catastrophic error becomes even more difficult to understand given the significant anatomical differences between these organs: the liver is a large, thick organ dominating the right upper abdomen, while the spleen is a smaller structure tucked high on the left beneath the ribs.
The removal of the liver, particularly cutting into the organ’s major blood supply, resulted in massive hemorrhaging. Bill Bryan suffered catastrophic blood loss and died on the operating table.
The Cover-Up Attempt
Following the surgery, Dr Shaknovsky allegedly labeled the removed organ as a “spleen” in medical records. He told Beverly Bryan that her husband’s spleen had been severely diseased, had grown to four times its normal size, and had migrated to the other side of his body due to his condition. He attributed the death to a ruptured splenic aneurysm.
Beverly, despite being a registered nurse herself, was not informed of the true nature of what had occurred. The deception continued until autopsy results revealed the shocking truth: Bill Bryan’s spleen remained intact in his body with only a small cyst on its surface, while his liver had been wrongly removed.
Previous Malpractice Allegations
The William Bryan case was not Dr Shaknovsky’s first encounter with allegations of removing the wrong organ. In May 2023, approximately 15 months before Bryan’s death, Shaknovsky allegedly removed part of a patient’s pancreas instead of performing the intended adrenal gland resection.
This earlier incident resulted in a malpractice claim that Shaknovsky settled for $400,000 in 2024, according to public records from the Florida Department of Health. The existence of this prior case raises serious questions about how a surgeon with such a history was allowed to continue performing complex surgeries without additional oversight or restrictions.
Despite this previous malpractice settlement, Shaknovsky indicated in official documents that he had “never been asked to or allowed to resign from or had any medical staff privileges restricted or revoked within the last 10 years,” a statement that appears inconsistent with his documented history.
Legal Consequences and License Suspensions
Florida License Suspension (September 2024)
Approximately one month after William Bryan’s death, the Florida Department of Health issued an emergency order suspending Dr Shaknovsky’s medical license in September 2024. Investigators determined that allowing Shaknovsky to continue practicing medicine would present an “immediate, serious danger to the health, welfare, and safety of the public.”
The emergency suspension order cited the scope and severity of issues with Dr Shaknovsky’s surgical practice, making immediate action necessary to protect future patients from similar harm.
Alabama License Revocation
Following Bryan’s death, the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners filed a court order to temporarily suspend Shaknovsky’s Alabama medical license. That license was subsequently revoked by the Alabama Medical Licensure Commission in 2024, permanently barring him from practicing medicine in the state where his victim resided.
New York License Suspension (2025)
By 2025, Dr Shaknovsky’s New York medical license was also suspended, completing the loss of his ability to practice medicine in all three states where he held licensure.
Criminal Indictment (April 2026)
On April 14, 2026, following a comprehensive two-year investigation conducted by local and state law enforcement in collaboration with medical authorities, a grand jury in Florida’s First Judicial Circuit returned an indictment charging Dr Thomas Shaknovsky with second-degree manslaughter.
He was arrested in Miramar Beach on Monday, April 14, 2026, and transported to Walton County Jail. His bond was set at $75,000. He made his first court appearance on Tuesday, April 15, 2026, and was subsequently released after posting bond.
Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson stated: “The Grand Jury has spoken, and our responsibility is to ensure the charges are carried out through the proper legal process.”
Civil Lawsuit by Beverly Bryan
In January 2025, Beverly Bryan filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Dr Shaknovsky and Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital. The lawsuit, handled by Pensacola-based attorney Joe Zarzaur of Zarzaur Law, P.A., seeks damages for gross negligence and medical malpractice.
Beverly Bryan, speaking about her husband’s tragic death, stated: “When I tell people what happened, it still sounds too awful to be true that that could happen. I still have trouble believing it happened myself. Can you imagine?”
Regarding the criminal charges, she added: “He would want his death to prevent someone else from being hurt, which is what I think the criminal charges being brought will do. If we had to suffer through this and he had to die, then at least no one else will be hurt by this man now.”
The civil case was still pending when Shaknovsky was taken into criminal custody in April 2026.
Hospital Response
Ascension Medical Group provided a statement to media outlets saying: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. Sacred Heart Emerald Coast’s leadership is investigating this matter.” The hospital has faced questions about its credentialing processes, surgical oversight, and why concerns raised by operating room staff were not acted upon to prevent the surgery from proceeding.
Implications for Patient Safety
The Thomas Shaknovsky case has sparked broader discussions about several critical patient safety issues including surgical credentialing standards, hospital responsibility in monitoring surgeon competency, the “never events” classification for wrong-site/wrong-organ surgeries, informed consent and patient autonomy, and accountability for repeat offenders.
Medical experts have questioned how fundamental surgical errors of this magnitude could occur, particularly from a surgeon who had specialized training in abdominal surgery and should have been intimately familiar with organ anatomy.
Common Questions About Dr Thomas Shaknovsky
What is Dr Thomas Shaknovsky charged with?
Dr Shaknovsky faces second-degree manslaughter charges following the August 21, 2024 death of William Bryan, after allegedly removing the patient’s liver instead of his spleen during surgery.
Where did Dr Thomas Shaknovsky practice medicine?
He practiced general and colorectal surgery in Crestview and Destin, Florida, with affiliations at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital and Twin Cities Hospital.
What happened to Dr Shaknovsky’s medical licenses?
His Florida license was suspended in September 2024, his Alabama license was revoked in 2024, and his New York license was suspended in 2025, effectively ending his medical career.
Has Dr Shaknovsky been accused of surgical errors before?
Yes, in May 2023 he allegedly removed part of a patient’s pancreas instead of the intended adrenal gland, settling that malpractice claim for $400,000 in 2024.
Who was William Bryan?
William “Bill” Bryan was a 70-year-old man from Muscle Shoals, Alabama, who died during surgery after Dr Shaknovsky allegedly removed his liver instead of his spleen.
Is Dr Shaknovsky currently in jail?
After his arrest on April 14, 2026, he was held at Walton County Jail but was released after posting $75,000 bond following his court appearance on April 15, 2026.
