The Alabama Board of Medical Examiners & Medical Licensure Commission suspended the license of a surgeon at the center of a homicide investigation in Florida.
Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky held licenses in Florida and Alabama. His Florida license was suspended following the death of William Dale "Bill" Bryan, 70, of Muscle Shoals.
Bryan died after his liver was removed during what was supposed to be a splenectomy at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast. The doctor labeled the organ as a spleen and sent it to pathology, where it was determined to be a liver.
Bryan's widow, Beverly Bryan, said she wants justice and does not want the doctor to continue treating patients.
"My husband died while helpless on the operating room table by Dr. Shaknovsky," Beverly Bryan said. "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 Alabama Medical Licensure Commission issued a summary suspension without holding a formal hearing. A summary suspension, or emergency suspension, can be filed if members of the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners believe there is a potential danger to the public.
Shaknovsky did not have a medical license in any other state.
Attorney Joe Zarzaur represents the Bryan family. He said the family is pursuing both criminal and civil proceedings.
The Walton County Sheriff's Office is investigating the incident after the medical examiner determined the manner of death was homicide.
Shaknovsky has not been charged with a crime.
Alabama License Suspension by Erica Thomas on Scribd
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