Surgeon Arrested After Botched Surgeries Lead to Patient Deaths

Thomas Shaknovsky faces charges after allegedly removing a patient's liver instead of spleen, following another patient's death under his care.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 3:50am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a scalpel against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the serious and investigative nature of this medical malpractice case.A harsh, gritty image of a medical tool serves as a somber reminder of the consequences of surgical errors.Miramar Beach Today

A surgeon, Thomas Shaknovsky, has been arrested and charged with second-degree manslaughter after allegedly removing a patient's liver instead of their spleen, leading to the patient's death. This incident follows the death of another patient, Dorothy Dorsett, who also underwent surgery performed by Shaknovsky. Dorsett's son has filed a lawsuit accusing the surgeon and the hospital of negligence in his mother's case.

Why it matters

These incidents raise serious concerns about patient safety and medical malpractice, particularly in cases involving repeat errors by the same surgeon. The lawsuits and investigations highlight the need for greater accountability and oversight in the healthcare system to prevent such tragic outcomes.

The details

According to the reports, Shaknovsky operated on both Dorothy Dorsett and William Bryan at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast in Miramar Beach, Florida. In Dorsett's case, the hospital's own investigation found that Shaknovsky and other physicians failed to properly diagnose and treat her condition, leading to her death. About a year later, Shaknovsky is accused of accidentally removing Bryan's liver instead of his spleen during a scheduled surgery, resulting in Bryan's death as well.

  • On July 24, 2023, Dorothy Dorsett was admitted to the hospital with abdominal pain.
  • On July 27, 2023, Shaknovsky performed surgery to remove a tumor from Dorsett's digestive tract.
  • On August 4, 2023, Dorothy Dorsett passed away.
  • On August 21, 2024, Shaknovsky allegedly removed William Bryan's liver instead of his spleen during a scheduled surgery.
  • In September 2024, the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration completed an investigation into Dorsett's death, finding that Shaknovsky and other physicians failed to properly diagnose and treat her condition.

The players

Thomas Shaknovsky

The surgeon who performed the surgeries on both Dorothy Dorsett and William Bryan, and has been arrested and charged with second-degree manslaughter in Bryan's death.

Dorothy Dorsett

A 70-year-old patient who died after undergoing surgery performed by Shaknovsky, which the hospital's investigation found was due to a failure to properly diagnose and treat her condition.

Weyman Dorsett

The son of Dorothy Dorsett, who has filed a lawsuit against Shaknovsky and the hospital for negligence in his mother's case.

William Bryan

A 70-year-old patient who died after Shaknovsky allegedly removed his liver instead of his spleen during a scheduled surgery.

Beverly Bryan

The widow of William Bryan, who has filed a civil lawsuit against Shaknovsky for causing her husband's death.

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What they’re saying

“Until you go through it yourself, and to be there with my mom and watch her suffer, and to be there when she takes her last breath has been devastating. I suffer every day. It's a haunting memory that I can't erase out of my mind.”

— Weyman Dorsett, Son of Dorothy Dorsett

“It's bittersweet. You know, nothing's going to bring back Mr. Bryan, or my mom and all the other people that are still out there that have been butchered and suffered.”

— Weyman Dorsett, Son of Dorothy Dorsett

What’s next

Shaknovsky is facing a second-degree manslaughter charge in the death of William Bryan, and the lawsuits filed by the families of both Dorsett and Bryan are ongoing. The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration's investigation into Dorsett's death is also expected to have further implications.

The takeaway

These tragic cases highlight the need for greater accountability and oversight in the healthcare system to prevent medical errors and ensure patient safety. They also underscore the devastating impact that such mistakes can have on families and the importance of transparency and swift action to address any issues.