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Let’s get to the news you need to know this Thursday…
NEWS
Destin surgeon accused of removing liver instead of spleen, reportedly causing patient’s death
A Destin surgeon is facing serious allegations after reportedly removing a patient’s liver during a procedure intended to remove the spleen, resulting in the patient’s death.
- Attorney Joe Zarzaur of Zarzaur Law, P.A. issued a press release on behalf of Beverly Bryan, whose husband William Bryan died on August 21, 2024, during a surgical procedure at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital in Okaloosa County.
According to the press release, Mr. Bryan, 70, of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, was visiting a rental property in Okaloosa County when he began experiencing left-sided flank pain. He was admitted to Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital for further studies due to concern for an abnormality of the spleen.
Mr. Bryan and his wife were initially reluctant to proceed with surgery in Florida, according to Zarzaur. The release states that Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky, a general surgeon, and Dr. Christopher Bacani, Chief Medical Officer of Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital, were involved in discussions about the planned procedure. The family ultimately decided to proceed with the surgery at the hospital.
During what was supposed to be a hand-assisted laparoscopic splenectomy, Dr. Shaknovsky allegedly removed Mr. Bryan’s liver instead of his spleen. This action reportedly caused “immediate and catastrophic blood loss resulting in death.”
- The surgeon is said to have labeled the removed organ as a “spleen,” and the error was only discovered after Mr. Bryan’s death.
According to Zarzaur, Dr. Shaknovsky told Mrs. Bryan after the procedure that the “spleen” was so diseased it was four times larger than usual and had migrated to the other side of Mr. Bryan’s body. However, the family was later informed that Mr. Bryan’s actual spleen was still in his body and appeared to have a small cyst on its surface.
Mrs. Bryan has hired Zarzaur to pursue justice for her husband. “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,” she is quoted as saying in the press release.
Zarzaur claims this is not the first instance of a wrong-site surgery involving Dr. Shaknovsky. According to the attorney, the doctor mistakenly removed a portion of a patient’s pancreas instead of performing an adrenal gland resection in 2023. That case was reportedly settled confidentially.
In a YouTube video posted on August 30, 2024, Zarzaur stated, “We’re dealing with somebody that has a history of wrong site surgery. Unfortunately for our client, what he took out was fatal to Mr. Bryan.” The attorney expressed concern about Dr. Shaknovsky’s continued practice at both Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital and North Walton Doctors Hospital.
In a subsequent video update on August 31, Zarzaur reported that North Walton Doctors Hospital had removed Dr. Shaknovsky from their list of providers and taken down a Facebook post that had listed him as a director of surgery.
- Zarzaur applauded this decision, stating, “I certainly want to applaud the efforts of North Walton Doctors Hospital for doing that.”
As of September 3, 2024, Zarzaur stated in a Facebook video that civil lawsuits cannot be filed immediately in Florida due to tort reform laws requiring a pre-suit period for medical malpractice cases. He explained, “Basically, you can’t file a lawsuit against a doctor or hospital in the state of Florida for medical malpractice until you’ve gone through what’s called the pre-suit period.”
The case is ongoing, with Zarzaur indicating potential legal action against multiple parties, including the doctors involved, nurses, and the hospital for credentialing issues. He emphasized that the reason for going public with the case was to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Zarzaur expressed frustration with the slow pace of official action in such cases, stating, “I know how slow hospitals act. I know how slow the board of medicine acts in regards to revoking privileges and suspending licenses. That can take months.”
Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital sent Get The Coast the following statement:
- “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. 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.“
The current status of Dr. Shaknovsky’s medical privileges at the hospital remains unclear, with Zarzaur noting that the doctor’s biography had been removed from the hospital’s webpage.
“Our goal at Zarzaur Law is to get justice for the Bryan family and make our community safer one case at a time,” said Zarzaur. “While most doctors are doing excellent work to keep us healthy, there is a small percentage that should not be practicing medicine.”
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GIVING BACK
Okaloosa County proclaims September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners has officially designated September as “Childhood Cancer Awareness Month” in a proclamation issued Tuesday, September 3, 2024.
- Commissioner Mel Ponder read the proclamation aloud during the board meeting. Jessie Huisken (mother of Phinley) and Haley Brown, program and Rally Kid coordinator with Rally Foundation, were present to receive the proclamation.
The proclamation highlights the importance of children’s health to the county’s economic development and overall well-being. It notes that Northwest Florida reports an average of 50 local children are newly diagnosed with cancer each year.
According to the proclamation, cancer is the leading disease killer of children in the United States. Despite this, childhood cancer research receives less than 10% of the National Institute of Health’s allocated cancer research funding.
The board emphasized the need for more research to develop better treatment options, safe quality therapies, and ultimately a cure for childhood cancer. They also recognized the Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research for providing valuable resources to affected children and families.
- The proclamation encourages residents to participate in efforts throughout the year to raise awareness and funding for childhood cancer research with Rally Gulf Coast, while supporting families facing the effects and costs of the disease.
Huisken thanked the board for acknowledging Childhood Cancer and for making the proclamation. Her 4-year-old daughter Phinley passed away on October 19, 2022, after battling a rare form of leukemia.
On a personal note: This proclamation holds great significance for me, as childhood cancer deeply affected my family earlier this year. My niece, Kellan Hilson, is a happy, unicorn-loving, 4-year-old who loves to dance and play with her little sister, Ila. After experiencing leg pain, she was diagnosed with Precursor B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on April 16, 2024.
- Since her diagnosis, Kellan has been making multiple trips to Pensacola each week and is currently undergoing a more intense round of chemotherapy. This will be a road to recovery for Kellan, but we have full faith that God’s got this.
The proclamation was officially passed and adopted by the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners on September 3, 2024.
POLICE BLOTTER
Two New Yorkers arrested in Destin in suspected nationwide fraud scheme
Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested two New York residents Wednesday afternoon in connection with a suspected nationwide scheme involving stolen and fraudulent returns at businesses.
- The arrests occurred following a traffic stop in Destin around 2:30 p.m. Deputies recovered thousands of dollars worth of jewelry, clothing, and high-end electronics, as well as tens of thousands of dollars in cash from the suspects’ vehicle.
The incident began when the pair entered the Walmart in Destin and reportedly returned an iPad and other items for cash. A second return attempt was refused after loss prevention staff identified them as being part of a suspected fraud ring.
Deputies spotted the suspects leaving in a 2016 Dodge Durango and conducted a traffic stop in the parking lot of a business at 15015 Emerald Coast Parkway. An OCSO Corporal asked for and received consent to search the vehicle for stolen items.
During the search, deputies discovered a bag containing more than $50,000 in cash and a fraudulent passport for the male suspect. Another bag held nearly $5,000 in cash. Fraudulent identification for the female suspect was also found, along with the previously mentioned items.
Mercedes Enskat, 22, of New York, is currently charged with possession of a forged or stolen identification. The 27-year-old male suspect, identified only as “John Doe” and also from New York, is charged with using a false ID and giving false identification to a law enforcement officer.
Both suspects are being held at the Okaloosa County Jail and remain on hold for immigration. The investigation is ongoing.
THINGS TO DO
Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance to host free ‘Family Bay Day’ event in Niceville
The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (CBA) is partnering with the Choctawhatchee Bay Estuary Program to host Family Bay Day, a free event celebrating the Choctawhatchee Bay’s natural beauty and ecological importance.
- The event will take place on Saturday, September 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park. Visitors will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on educational activities at various Exploration Stations, learning about the bay’s unique ecosystem.
“We are thrilled to partner with the Choctawhatchee Bay Estuary Program for this event, which not only brings our community together but also fosters a deeper appreciation for our local environment,” said Alison McDowell, Executive Director of the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance.
Family Bay Day will feature activities such as fish printing, offering a creative way for attendees of all ages to connect with nature and understand the Choctawhatchee Basin’s vital role in the local environment.
- While the event itself is free, there is a $5 per vehicle park entrance fee. The organizers encourage families and friends to attend and enjoy a day outdoors while learning about the environment.
In conjunction with Family Bay Day, the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (CBA) is launching its 2024 Amateur Photo Contest. This contest is part of the Mattie Kelly Environmental Initiative (MKEI) and aims to capture the natural beauty of the Northwest Florida region. Photographers of all skill levels are encouraged to participate.
The contest invites submissions that encompass the natural heritage of Northwest Florida, with a particular focus on the Choctawhatchee Bay area. Participants are asked to share their perspective on what they love about nature in and around the Choctawhatchee Bay.
- This could include images showcasing the beauty of natural surroundings, the connection between people and the environment, or moments that highlight sustainability and science. The submission deadline for the photo contest is September 22, 2024.
Winners of the contest will be rewarded with both recognition and cash prizes. The top three submissions will receive monetary awards:
- First Place: $250
- Second Place: $150
- Third Place: $100
In addition to the cash prizes, winning photos and honorable mentions will be featured in the 2025 Mattie Kelly Environmental Initiative Calendar. This provides an excellent opportunity for amateur photographers to have their work showcased to a wider audience while contributing to environmental awareness.
For more information about the photo contest submission rules and requirements, interested participants can email CBA@nwfsc.edu.
NEWS
Okaloosa County approves hospital-supported plan to boost Medicaid funding
The Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance Tuesday to create a Local Provider Participation Fund (LPPF) that will impose special assessments on private hospitals to help fund health care for low-income and uninsured residents.
- The approved ordinance allows the county to levy non-ad valorem special assessments on three private hospitals: North Okaloosa Medical Center, HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital, and HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital.
The assessments will be used to draw down additional federal Medicaid funding. County Administrator John Hofstad explained that the hospitals approached the county about implementing this assessment, which has been authorized by Governor DeSantis. The program allows access to federal Medicaid dollars that would otherwise be unavailable.
Colleen Ernst from Adelanto Healthcare Ventures, a company working with hospitals across Florida, provided context about Medicaid coverage and the purpose of the program. She explained that Medicaid historically covers only 60% of the costs of health care services and that roughly 45% of all births in Florida are covered by Medicaid.
- She added, “Everyone in this room is paying federal taxes to the federal government. Some of that money has been approved and earmarked specifically to help Florida’s hospitals care for these populations, but the state has been leaving those federal dollars on the table.”
Zach McCluskey, CEO of HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital, stated, “We are willing to step up, step forward and be a part of a special assessment that’s borne exclusively by the hospitals. Not any risks for the citizens or the businesses of Okaloosa County.”
- Matt King, CFO of HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital, emphasized, “We’re not asking for a single penny from local funding or state funding. This is simply for matching federal dollars.”
Mike Nordness, CEO of North Okaloosa Medical Center, spoke in support of the ordinance. He emphasized the importance of these funds for the hospital’s growth and ability to provide care, stating, “In order for us to continue to evolve and grow with this county, these funds are a huge part of that. This tax funding helps to support us so that we can reinvest, bring great quality healthcare to this entire county.”
Commissioners raised concerns about potential liability for the county. County Attorney Lynn Hoshihara said the hospitals have expressed willingness to sign releases protecting the county from future liability. The ordinance stipulates that any imposition of assessments would be subject to the hospitals executing releases in a form approved by the county attorney.
The approved ordinance is the first step in a two-part process. A second public hearing will be held on September 17 to consider a resolution imposing the actual special assessment on the hospitals.
Okaloosa County will join 26 other jurisdictions in Florida, including neighboring Escambia, Bay, and Leon counties, in implementing this program.
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