Mississippi hospital system closes clinics after ransomware attack

University of Mississippi Medical Center shuts down operations as it works to restore systems and protect patient data.

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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The University of Mississippi Medical Center was forced to close clinics and cancel elective procedures for a second day on Friday due to a ransomware attack. University officials warned the shutdown could continue for days as they evaluate the extent of the attack and work to restore their network systems, which were taken down as a precaution. Hospitals and emergency rooms remained open, but the attack affected many systems, including the electronic health record platform.

Why it matters

Ransomware attacks on healthcare systems can have devastating impacts, disrupting critical patient care and potentially exposing sensitive personal information. This incident highlights the ongoing cybersecurity threats facing the medical industry and the need for robust security measures to protect against such attacks.

The details

The ransomware attack forced the University of Mississippi Medical Center to shut down clinics and cancel elective procedures. University officials said they are working with the FBI to determine if patient data was accessed and to restore their network systems that were taken offline as a precaution. The attackers have communicated with the university, but their demands have not been disclosed.

  • The ransomware attack occurred on Thursday, February 20, 2026.
  • The medical center was forced to close clinics and cancel procedures for a second day on Friday, February 21, 2026.

The players

University of Mississippi Medical Center

A major healthcare system in Mississippi that was the target of a ransomware attack, forcing it to shut down clinics and cancel procedures.

LouAnn Woodward

Vice Chancellor of the University of Mississippi Medical Center, who provided updates on the ransomware attack and the hospital's response.

Robert Eikhoff

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

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What they’re saying

“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 (wral.com)

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

— Robert Eikhoff, FBI Special Agent in Charge (wral.com)

What’s next

The university is working with the FBI to investigate the ransomware attack and restore their systems. The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow the attackers to communicate their demands.

The takeaway

This ransomware attack on a major healthcare system highlights the ongoing cybersecurity threats facing the medical industry and the need for robust security measures to protect against such attacks, which can disrupt critical patient care and expose sensitive personal information.