Mississippi Hospital System Shuts Down Clinics After Ransomware Attack

University of Mississippi Medical Center forced to cancel elective procedures as it works to restore systems.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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A ransomware attack has forced the University of Mississippi Medical Center to close all of its roughly three dozen clinics around the state and cancel elective procedures for a second day. The shutdown could continue for days as the medical center evaluates the extent of the attack and works to restore its network systems.

Why it matters

Ransomware attacks on healthcare providers can have serious consequences, disrupting patient care and potentially exposing sensitive medical information. This incident highlights the vulnerability of healthcare systems to these types of cyberattacks and the need for robust cybersecurity measures to protect critical infrastructure.

The details

The ransomware attack affected many of the medical center's systems, including its electronic health record platform. Providers were forced to take down information manually, reverting to pen and paper. While the hospital's emergency rooms remained open, patients requiring time-sensitive treatments like chemotherapy were unable to receive their scheduled care. The university is working with the FBI to investigate the attack and determine if patient data was compromised.

  • The ransomware attack forced the University of Mississippi Medical Center to close all of its clinics on Friday, February 21, 2026.
  • The medical center had to cancel elective procedures for a second day on Friday, February 21, 2026.

The players

University of Mississippi Medical Center

One of the largest healthcare providers in the state of Mississippi, operating roughly three dozen clinics around the state.

Richard Bell

A 55-year-old patient who drove three hours from his home in Oxford to the medical center's main campus in Jackson, only to find the facilities were shut down due to the ransomware attack.

LouAnn Woodward

Vice Chancellor at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, who provided updates on the ransomware attack at a news conference.

Robert Eikhoff

FBI Special Agent in Charge, who stated that the FBI's top priority was getting the medical center's systems back up and running to restore patient care.

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What they’re saying

“It was all shut down. It gets pretty frustrating.”

— Richard Bell, Patient (castanet.net)

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

— LouAnn Woodward, Vice Chancellor, University of Mississippi Medical Center (castanet.net)

“The FBI's top priority is getting systems back up to restore patient care.”

— Robert Eikhoff, FBI Special Agent in Charge (castanet.net)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the ransomware attackers to continue communicating with the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

The takeaway

This ransomware attack on a major healthcare provider highlights the critical need for robust cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive patient data and ensure the continuity of essential medical services. As these types of attacks become more prevalent, healthcare systems must prioritize strengthening their defenses to safeguard the wellbeing of the communities they serve.