UMMC Cyberattack Forces Closure of Mississippi Medical System Clinics

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A cyberattack has impacted IT systems at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, forcing the closure of all clinics statewide. The attack has disrupted access to the provider's electronic medical records system, Epic, hindering doctors' ability to access necessary patient health information. All outpatient and ambulatory surgeries and imaging appointments have been cancelled, but hospital and emergency services remain open and are operating under 'downtime procedures'.

Why it matters

Disruptions to electronic health records can significantly impact patient care, even when hospitals maintain essential services. The reliance on 'downtime procedures' suggests a pre-planned response, but the extent of the disruption and the time required for full system restoration remain uncertain.

The details

The nature of the cyberattack was not immediately clear in initial reports. Authorities have been notified, and a full assessment of the situation is underway. The attack also affects administrative functions, including billing and access to the hospital's websites. Many hospital and clinical phone numbers are currently unable to take calls.

• The cyberattack began this morning (February 19, 2026).
• A press conference is scheduled at 11 a.m. to discuss the cyberattacks.

What’s next

It is currently unclear how long the situation will last. A possible next step is for the University of Mississippi Medical Center to determine whether patient or credit card information was compromised. Officials have stated it is too early to determine the full extent of the breach. System restoration will likely require careful risk assessments before IT systems are brought back online.