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U.S. Air Force Major Savannah Jumpp, Executive Officer to the Director of the Defense Health Network Europe, was named the 2025 U.S. Air Forces Europe – Air Forces Africa winner of the Outstanding Achievement in Nursing Force Development.
The annual award recognizes one officer, in the ranks of Captain to Lieutenant Colonel, serving in a nursing assignment with primary responsibilities in education and training. Recipients must demonstrate exceptional duty performance, professionalism, and a commitment to developing the nursing force.
Before joining the DHN-EUR staff, Jumpp served as the Director of Hospital Education for Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, the largest U.S. medical center outside of the continental United States. In that role, she oversaw education, training, and professional development for more than 4,000 total force personnel.
“Working at LRMC was unique because it’s a truly joint environment,” Jumpp said. “We had Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, civilians, volunteers, and even allied partners who relied on my team to make sure they had the training they needed to handle whatever came their way.”
The medical center’s large scope of providing medical support for four U.S. combatant command meant her team had to prepare staff for everything from delivering tactical care during military operations to responding to emergency department crises and administering routine check-ups.
“Education and training is a behind-the-scenes force multiplier,” explains Jumpp. “We take care of those who take care of our patients by making sure they have the training and certification to handle any situation.”
Jumpp, who earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice from The Ohio State University in 2023 with a focus on executive leadership and evidence-based practice, credits her academic background and experience as an Air Force nurse for providing a strong foundation to lead LRMC’s education and training program.
“I’m passionate about education and training because it’s the starting point for patient care,” she said.
Navy Captain Joseph Desamero, Chief Nursing Officer for Defense Health Network Europe, recognized how the impact of Jumpp’s work at LRMC extended across multiple continents.
“Education and training are the cornerstone of medical readiness and ready, reliable healthcare delivery,” said Desamero. “Major Jumpp’s leadership ensured every member of the LRMC team, from volunteers to experts, was prepared to support both routine care and the most complex operational missions. Her work directly strengthened medical readiness in the hospital and in the field.”
In addition to overseeing medical education requirements, Jumpp and her team managed professional development courses, including executive leader training, which prepared mid-level leaders to succeed in LRMC’s joint environment.
“In a hospital like LRMC, someone from one military service will very likely supervise members of another service or civilian staff,” notes Jumpp. “Our executive leadership course helps supervisors understand the administrative and professional needs of every member of their team so they can lead effectively in a joint environment.”
One of Jumpp’s favorite experiences was supporting the high school students across the Kaiserslautern Military Community who visited LRMC for career practicums.
“I loved working with students because they bring such an interesting perspective,” she explains. “It was an honor to introduce the next generation of healthcare professionals to the military health system and watch them get excited about the possibilities.”
Jumpp also led several process improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing readiness and patient care.
“There is always room for improvement, especially in a hospital as dynamic as LRMC, and it was really fulfilling to see how those changes impacted our staff and patients by improving their experiences working at and receiving care from LRMC,” she said.
This award highlights the broad influence of Jumpp’s work across the European Theater.
“This recognition reflects Major Jumpp’s extraordinary contributions in an exceptionally complex joint environment,” notes Desamero. “Her ability to build teams, solve problems, and elevate the performance of others sets her apart as a leader in the military health system.”
Jumpp was recently selected to serve as the Chief Nursing Officer for the 27th Special Operations Group at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico, a transition she credits to her time at LRMC.
“My role as the Director of Hospital Education taught me to see the bigger picture and to use that to ensure our staff was trained and ready to handle any mission, any time, anywhere,” said Jumpp. “That’s the mindset I’m taking into my next role, so we can provide the best care possible for our patients.”
After winning at the USAFE-AFAFRICA level, Jumpp will now advance to compete at the Air Force level against award recipients from across the Air Force’s other major commands.
