#UMMCStrong, Always

Good morning.

Eight days ago, I received a (very) early morning text to inform me that the Medical Center was the victim of a cyberattack. 

Quickly, the decision was made to shut down our network and connected systems. This was critical to contain the damage. We went offline and into what we call “downtime procedures” in essential care environments, including in all our hospitals and emergency departments. The computers on wheels that are always around on inpatient floors were pushed aside and replaced by binders and reams of paper.

Some of us learned on and used paper charts, but that practice was replaced by electronic medical records decades ago. But for many physicians, nurses, therapists, pharmacists and others, it’s been a steep learning curve. Ultimately, though, the transition has been effective, and we’ve been able to continue to provide safe, vital hospital-based care. As was mentioned in Wednesday’s memo, we have started to see clinic patients with urgent needs with a goal of at least somewhat of a return to normal appointment schedules on Monday. That would be amazing and a testament to the hard, around-the-clock work of many teams across the organization, especially those in DIS and Information Security.  

If I was to list every Medical Center group that deserves recognition for how they’ve stepped up in response to this attack on us, our patients, our students, our research programs, etc., it would be a mile long. Succinctly, I thank you all. This has been a team effort, and I’m so proud of all that you’ve done in such a short time. The national experts who are helping us investigate, triage and respond to this attack have said on many occasions that we are much further along in recovery efforts than they are used to seeing. High praise and deserved! This speaks to aggressive security measures and back up procedures we already had in place.

In the early days of the COVID pandemic, when the Medical Center’s response was kicking into high gear, the hashtag “#UMMCStrong” came to being. It was a great slogan for how much you gave of yourself to serve your fellow Mississippians, your colleagues and others. This is a much different situation, but the sentiment remains. When the going gets tough, UMMC people get going, and you’re doing that again. Seeing you all in action is so impressive and humbling.

We will get through this, and with the #UMMCStrong spirit and dedication that defines us, maybe much sooner than others would have thought possible. This attack is another chance for us to show Mississippi and the world who we are, what we’re capable of, and what lengths we will go to continue our journey toward A Healthier Mississippi.