Ransomware Attack Closes UMMC Clinics in Mississippi

A ransomware attack struck the University of Mississippi Medical Center on Thursday, forcing the closure of all 35 of its clinics across the state and the cancellation of elective procedures for a second day on Friday. The incident disrupted one of Mississippi's largest health care providers, which operates seven hospitals and serves as a major economic driver in the region.

University officials described the cyber intrusion as ransomware, in which hackers typically lock or steal data and demand payment for restoration. In response, UMMC took down all IT systems as a precaution to assess the damage and conduct risk evaluations before restoring access. The attack affected critical infrastructure, including the Epic electronic health records platform, leaving doctors to rely on pen and paper for patient care. While outpatient clinics remained shuttered and imaging appointments were postponed, hospitals and emergency rooms stayed operational, with staff following established downtime procedures to ensure continuity of essential services.

Patients experienced significant disruptions. Richard Bell, a 55-year-old lymphoma patient from Oxford, drove three hours to Jackson on Friday for...