The family of Dorothy Dorsett, a 70-year-old woman who died after surgery at Ascension Sacred Heart in Florida, has come forward with allegations of negligence. Her son, Weyman Dorsett, describes the devastating impact of her death following the removal of a tumor in her digestive tract, performed by surgeon Thomas Shaknovsky. A related lawsuit accuses the surgeon of failing to properly monitor her condition, leading to her death despite her initially good health.
In a separate incident, Shaknovsky is also accused of causing the death of William Bryan, 70, after mistakenly removing his liver instead of his spleen during a scheduled surgery. Bryan’s widow has filed a civil suit, and prosecutors have indicted Shaknovsky on manslaughter charges. The surgeon’s medical license has been suspended in multiple states following these incidents, which highlight serious concerns about surgical oversight and patient safety at the hospital.
Weyman Dorsett expressed profound grief and frustration, stating that these tragedies have deeply affected his family and serve as a stark reminder of the importance of accountability in healthcare. Meanwhile, investigations are ongoing into the hospital’s procedures and the surgeon’s actions, amid calls for systemic changes to prevent further losses of life due to medical errors.