Florida
Florida doctor removes wrong organ from patient, resulting in ‘immediate, catastrophic death’
An Alabama husband died on a Florida operating table when the doctor mistakenly removed the man’s liver during surgery before the surgeon attempted to pass off the organ as an “enlarged spleen,” according to a lawyer representing the man’s widow.
William Bryan and his wife Beverly were visiting their rental property in Okaloosa County, Florida last month when he suddenly began experiencing lower left abdominal pain.
The 70-year-old Muscle Shoals, AL resident went to Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital in Walton County, where he was admitted for further tests over concerns about an abnormality of the spleen, Zarzaur Law P.A. said Friday on Facebook.
General Surgeon Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky and Dr. Christopher Bacani, the hospital’s Chief Medical Officer, persuaded the reluctant family for Bryan to undergo surgery at the hospital or he “could experience serious complications if he left the hospital,” the law firm claims.
Bryan agreed with the doctors and underwent a hand-assisted laparoscopic splenectomy procedure on Aug. 21.
In the middle of the surgery, Shaknovsky removed Bryan’s liver by transecting the major vasculature supplying the liver
The surgical cut resulted in “immediate and catastrophic blood loss resulting in death,” the post read.
After erroneously removing Bryan’s liver, the general surgeon labeled the organ as a “spleen,” which was only identified as a liver after the man’s death.
Shaknovsky proceeded to explain to Beverly Bryan, that her husband’s “‘spleen’ was so diseased that it was four times bigger than usual and had migrated to the other side of (his) body.”
Inside the human body, the liver is located on the upper right side of the abdominal cavity, just below the diaphragm, and above the stomach, right kidney, and intestines.
The spleen, located on the upper left side of the abdomen next to the stomach, is significantly smaller than the liver, between 1,100 and 1,400 grams lighter, and is roughly the size of a fist.
Zarzaur Law claims Dr. Shaknovsky had a previous “wrong-site surgery” back in 2023 where he supposedly removed a portion of a patient’s pancreas instead of performing the intended adrenal gland resection.
That case was settled in confidence.
Beverly Bryan retained the law firm to get “justice” for her husband and is hoping the general surgeon no longer treats other patients.
“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,” the widow said in a statement through the law firm.
Beverly Bryan says she is pushing for both civil and criminal proceedings related to her husband’s death.
North Walton Doctor’s Hospital “disassociated” itself with Shaknovsky and have removed all photos and references to the doctor from its website, according to Zarzaur.
Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital said it was investigating Bryan’s death but wouldn’t share more information.
“We take allegations like this very seriously, and our leadership team is performing a thorough investigation into this event. Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast has a longstanding history of providing safe, quality care since the hospital opened its doors in 2003,” the hospital said in statement obtained by AL.com. “Patient safety is and remains our number one priority. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the family. We hold the privacy of our patients in the highest regard. We do not comment on specific patient cases or active litigation.”
Following William Bryan’s death, an apparent small cyst was discovered on his spleen which is believed to be the cause of the pain he was hospitalized for.
SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Florida law-enforcement and public-health leaders on Wednesday unveiled a first-of-its-kind artificial-intelligence system designed to detect and warn communities about new drug threats before they become fatal.
The platform, called DrugAlert.ai was announced at the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office alongside Sheriff Dennis Lemma and Project Overdose CEO Andrae Bailey. The system uses machine-learning to scan statewide drug data in real time, including toxicology screenings, EMS calls, arrest records and street-level intelligence, then issues alerts when dangerous substances emerge.
[WATCH BELOW: Fentanyl awareness taught in Osceola County with community event]
Lemma said the system could change how agencies fight the overdose crisis.
“I’m convinced this will be the model that is used across the country,” Lemma said.
Project Overdose confirmed the system had already generated its first statewide DrugTRAC alert, after carfentanil, one of the most lethal synthetic opioids ever identified, was detected in multiple Florida counties, including Orange and Seminole.
Bailey said the AI platform closes a critical time gap that once left communities blind for months.
“Data we used to work with was six months to a year old,” Bailey said. “The data coming through this system will be no older than 24 hours.”
[WATCH BELOW: New X-ray tech coming to Fla. agricultural stations to help combat illegal immigration, drugs]
Officials warned the technology is launching as Florida enters what researchers are calling the “fourth wave” of the overdose crisis, defined by mixtures of opioids, stimulants and synthetics that change too fast for human tracking.
Lemma said the tool allows police, hospitals and service providers to target resources faster and more precisely.
“Project Overdose has connected the dots like never before, public sector, private sector, the faith community, businesses, everybody is involved,” Lemma said.
Project Overdose confirmed Florida will use the alerts statewide and will issue targeted warnings ahead of large events, including next week’s EDC music festival, where officials anticipate increased drug activity.
Copyright 2025 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.
A two-time first-team All-Ivy League performer at Princeton, Lee transferred to UF this offseason after averaging 16.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists last season. A Toronto native, Lee has tallied 1,154 points, 406 rebounds, 302 assists and 124 3-point field goals in three career seasons entering 2025-26.
Lee joins backcourt mate Boogie Fland as a preseason Naismith Starting 5 honoree, with Fland named to the Bob Cousy Award watch list on Monday. The West Award has been presented since 2015, and the Gators’ Alijah Martin was on last season’s midseason watch list.
Jerry West Award Preseason Watch List
| Brayden Burries | Arizona |
| Richie Saunders | BYU |
| Josh Dix | Creighton |
| Isaiah Evans | Duke |
| Xaivian Lee | Florida |
| Emmanuel Sharp | Houston |
| Kylan Boswell | Illinois |
| PJ Haggerty | Kansas State |
| Otega Oweh | Kentucky |
| Ryan Conwell | Louisville |
| Seth Trimble | North Carolina |
| Anthony Roy | Oklahoma State |
| Jason Edwards | Providence |
| Ian Jackson | St. John’s |
| Solo Ball | UConn |
| Rodney Rice | USC |
| Mason Falslev | Utah State |
| Malik Thomas | Virginia |
| Wesley Yates III | Washington |
| John Blackwell | Wisconsin |
2025-26 Florida Men’s Basketball Ticket Information
Traditional season tickets are officially SOLD OUT for the upcoming 2025-26 season.
Arena Pass
Arena Passes are officially SOLD OUT for the upcoming 2025-26 season.
Single Games
Single-game tickets for the 2025-26 Florida men’s basketball season are now on sale.
Fans can purchase tickets at FloridaGators.com, by calling the Gator Ticket Office at (352) 375-4683, or in person at Gate 2 on the west side of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
All Gators Weekend Pack
The All Gators Weekend Pack is now available, which includes the Florida men’s basketball game against Merrimack on Friday, November 21, and the Florida football game against Tennessee on Saturday, November 22, for only $149 plus taxes/fees.
All fans attending the Merrimack men’s basketball game will receive a 2025 NCAA National Championship replica ring, presented by Meldon Law.
First pitch for the Halloween matchup between Florida and Jacksonville is set for 6:30 p.m. at Vystar Ballpark with gates open to the public at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are currently on sale now.
The Gators are the designated away team this year and will occupy the third-base dugout. The two teams will play one 10-inning contest.
This is the second-straight fall in which the Gators and Dolphins have faced off in Jacksonville, once again coinciding with the excitement of the Florida-Georgia football weekend. Florida claimed the inaugural fall meeting against JU in 2024 after posting a 3-1 record across four fall exhibitions vs. Georgia in Jacksonville (2019, 2021-23). As a result, the Orange & Blue is 4-1 across five fall exhibitions played in Jacksonville dating back to the first year of the tradition in 2019.
Following an off day on Monday, Oct. 27, Florida will hold three open practices on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday prior to Friday’s exhibition. There will be open scrimmages on Tuesday (3:45 p.m.) and Wednesday (3:30 p.m.).
All fall practices and scrimmages are open to the public. Fans can access the concourse through Gate 3 of Condron Family Ballpark (located directly behind home plate).
Below is the current practice schedule for week four. All practice and approximate scrimmage times are subject to change.
| Date | Practice | Scrimmage |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, Oct. 27 | OFF | OFF |
| Tuesday, Oct. 28 | 2:00 PM | 3:45 PM |
| Wednesday, Oct. 29 | 2:00 PM | 3:30 PM |
| Thursday, Oct. 30 | 2:00 PM | NONE |
| Friday, Oct. 31 | vs. JU | 6:30 PM |
| Saturday, Nov. 1 | OFF | OFF |
| Sunday, Nov. 2 | OFF | OFF |
*Scrimmages typically begin approximately 90 minutes to two hours into each practice
Additionally, Florida’s fall season features a second exhibition game against Georgia Southern at Condron Family Ballpark on Sunday, Nov. 9. Admission is free for all fans.
Important Fall Dates
| Friday, Oct. 31 | 6:30 PM | Florida vs. JU (in Jacksonville) |
| Sunday, Nov. 9 | 2:00 PM | Florida vs. Georgia Southern (Condron Family Ballpark) |
Stay informed on all the most-recent news on Florida baseball by checking FloridaGators.com and following @GatorsBB on social media.
Follow the Gators
#GoGators
Twitter
Instagram
Facebook
Add Nick Hundley, Ruben Niebla to list of Padres’ managerial finalists
How a Milwaukee Teenager’s Bedroom Became a Worldwide Micronation
Final Score Predictions For Atlanta vs Brooklyn Matchup
What is the Minneapolis Board of Estimate and Taxation and who’s running in the election?
Marco Andretti retires from racing, ending an era for the Andretti family at the Indy 500
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
Trump says China will work with him to stop fentanyl trafficking
Viktor Orbán in push to reverse Trump’s sanctions on Russian oil
Want to opt out of AI? State labeling laws might help
In a Looming Nuclear Arms Race, Aging Los Alamos Faces a Major Test
Whistleblower warns Illegal immigrants are sending ‘shockwave’ through crucial industry
-
New York6 days agoVideo: How Mamdani Has Evolved in the Mayoral Race
-
World1 week agoIsrael continues deadly Gaza truce breaches as US seeks to strengthen deal
-
News1 week agoVideo: Federal Agents Detain Man During New York City Raid
-
News1 week agoBooks about race and gender to be returned to school libraries on some military bases
-
Technology1 week agoAI girlfriend apps leak millions of private chats
-
Politics1 week agoTrump admin on pace to shatter deportation record by end of first year: ‘Just the beginning’
-
News1 week agoTrump news at a glance: president can send national guard to Portland, for now
-
Business1 week agoUnionized baristas want Olympics to drop Starbucks as its ‘official coffee partner’