Mississippi Hospital System Shuts Down All Clinics Following Ransomware Attack

A ransomware attack has compelled the University of Mississippi Medical Center to shut down all of its approximately three dozen clinics statewide and cancel elective procedures for a second consecutive day. This incident has significantly impacted one of the largest healthcare providers in the state.

University officials have indicated that the shutdown might persist for several days as they assess the extent of the attack. They are particularly concerned about whether patients’ sensitive information has been compromised and are working to restore network systems that were taken offline as a precautionary measure.

Richard Bell, 55, traveled three hours from his home in Oxford to the medical center’s main campus in Jackson, only to discover that he could not receive his bloodwork or chemotherapy treatment. “It was all shut down,” Bell expressed. “It gets pretty frustrating.”

Bell, who is battling a form of lymphoma, faced challenges in rescheduling his appointment. University officials stated that they are reaching out to patients requiring time-sensitive treatments, such as chemotherapy, to ensure they receive the necessary care.

While hospitals and emergency rooms remained operational, providing patients with appropriate care, officials are still investigating the extent of the cyber infiltration. Vice Chancellor LouAnn Woodward mentioned during a news conference that the attack impacted “many systems,” including the electronic health record platform. As a result, healthcare providers have resorted to manually recording information.

“Some of us in the room have been here long enough that we remember taking care of patients with pen and paper,” Woodward remarked.

Investigators are currently working to determine whether any private patient information was accessed during the attack. Woodward noted that the attackers had communicated with the university, although she did not disclose their specific demands. The university is collaborating with the FBI to address the situation.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Eikhoff emphasized that the agency’s top priority is to restore systems to ensure patient care can continue. The FBI’s Jackson office stated on Friday that it could not provide further comments on the ongoing investigation.

Ransomware attacks targeting public schools and agencies have surged in recent years, leading to significant disruptions. These attacks have not only shut down 911 dispatch functions but have also exposed sensitive student data, among other serious consequences.

Photo: The University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)

Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Topics
Cyber
Mississippi

A ransomware attack has compelled the University of Mississippi Medical Center to shut down all of its approximately three dozen clinics statewide and cancel elective procedures for a second consecutive day. This incident has significantly impacted one of the largest healthcare providers in the state.

University officials have indicated that the shutdown might persist for several days as they assess the extent of the attack. They are particularly concerned about whether patients’ sensitive information has been compromised and are working to restore network systems that were taken offline as a precautionary measure.

Richard Bell, 55, traveled three hours from his home in Oxford to the medical center’s main campus in Jackson, only to discover that he could not receive his bloodwork or chemotherapy treatment. “It was all shut down,” Bell expressed. “It gets pretty frustrating.”

Bell, who is battling a form of lymphoma, faced challenges in rescheduling his appointment. University officials stated that they are reaching out to patients requiring time-sensitive treatments, such as chemotherapy, to ensure they receive the necessary care.

While hospitals and emergency rooms remained operational, providing patients with appropriate care, officials are still investigating the extent of the cyber infiltration. Vice Chancellor LouAnn Woodward mentioned during a news conference that the attack impacted “many systems,” including the electronic health record platform. As a result, healthcare providers have resorted to manually recording information.

“Some of us in the room have been here long enough that we remember taking care of patients with pen and paper,” Woodward remarked.

Investigators are currently working to determine whether any private patient information was accessed during the attack. Woodward noted that the attackers had communicated with the university, although she did not disclose their specific demands. The university is collaborating with the FBI to address the situation.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Eikhoff emphasized that the agency’s top priority is to restore systems to ensure patient care can continue. The FBI’s Jackson office stated on Friday that it could not provide further comments on the ongoing investigation.

Ransomware attacks targeting public schools and agencies have surged in recent years, leading to significant disruptions. These attacks have not only shut down 911 dispatch functions but have also exposed sensitive student data, among other serious consequences.

Photo: The University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)

Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Topics
Cyber
Mississippi