UMMC Clinics Close Statewide Following Ransomware Attack

The University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) has closed all of its clinics across the state following a ransomware attack that impacted its phone and electronic systems. This disruption has led to the cancellation of patient appointments and procedures.

Attack Details

The ransomware attack was launched on Thursday, compromising UMMC's electronic health records platform Epic and its broader IT network. The full extent and scope of the intrusion are not yet completely understood. It remains unclear how long the systems will be affected or if patient information has been compromised.

UMMC's Response

UMMC proactively took all affected systems offline to ensure their safety. While the 35 clinics are closed, UMMC hospitals and emergency departments continue to operate. Appointments, including chemotherapy and elective procedures, were canceled as of Friday.

The medical center is prioritizing the continuation of ongoing, time-sensitive care, and patients can reschedule appointments. For ongoing patient care, staff have reverted to using paper documentation.

UMMC Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs LouAnn Woodward stated that the organization is working to restore services, emphasizing that "the bad guys won't keep us down."

Investigation and Assistance

UMMC is collaborating with law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, and cybersecurity specialists to address the outage. Robert Eikhoff, FBI special agent in charge of the Jackson field office, confirmed that the agency is dedicating resources to help UMMC restore its systems and patient care.