Mississippi family speaks out after cyberattack during lifesaving surgery WBAL Baltimore News

pA Mississippi family is sharing their story for the first time after a cyberattack disrupted operations at a major hospital system in the middle of a lifesaving surgeryppAt the University of Mississippi Medical Center patient Wade Watts was undergoing a liver transplant just as critical systems across the hospital began to failppWatts and his family were celebrating what would ultimately be a successful surgery But the journey to that moment was anything but easyppWatts had been battling liver failure and other serious health issues before receiving the call that would change everythingppOne night they said Hey we think we have a match said Wade WattsppThat moment of hope quickly collided with an unexpected crisisppThe cyberattack took place while I was actually in the operating room Watts saidppThe February cyberattack knocked out phones and electronic systems across the hospital forcing staff to operate without the technology they depend on dailyppHis wife Sara Watts a registered nurse was there and witnessed the situation unfold in real timeppI didnt know that this was even a thing said Sara WattsppAs systems went down hospital staff had to quickly adaptppThey were having to physically run the lab and physically write out all the orders you can just point and click Sara Watts saidppDespite the challenges Watts said the experience has left him with deep gratitude not only for the medical staff but also for the donor who made his recovery possibleppThey made a decision at some point in their life to leave a gift behind for me so I can continue to live my life Wade Watts saidppNow he wears a bracelet marking his transplant every day a constant reminder of the second chance hes been givenppHospital officials have not released details about what caused the cyberattack or what safeguards may be in place moving forward In a statement the University of Mississippi Medical Center said it could not comment as the incident remains under investigationppClick here to subscribeppClick here to subscribeppWBAL NewsRadio 1090 FM 1015 and the WBAL mobile app All day every day News weather and traffic Also insight and analysis and the flagship stations for the Baltimore Ravens the Baltimore Orioles and Navy FootballppHearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs which means we may get paid commissions on purchases made through our links to retailer sites2025 Hearst Stations Inc on behalf of WBAL NewsRadio 1090 and FM 1015p