HR 1229: Georgia School of Orthodontics; occasion of its 10th anniversary; inviting its leadership to be recognized by the Georgia House of Representatives; recognize

House Resolution 1229

By: Representative Stephens of the 164th

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing the Georgia School of Orthodontics on the occasion of its 10th anniversary and inviting its leadership to be recognized by the Georgia House of Representatives; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, the Georgia School of Orthodontics (GSO), founded in 2014 by Mr. Chris Lazzara and Dr. Gasper Lazzara, was established to expand access to advanced orthodontic education while providing affordable, high-quality orthodontic care to the citizens of Georgia; and

WHEREAS, the Georgia School of Orthodontics was created with a dual mission of post-secondary professional education and community-based public service, addressing workforce needs while improving access to oral healthcare for underserved populations throughout the State of Georgia; and

WHEREAS, in 2015, the late Congressman John Lewis, a revered civil rights leader and longtime public servant, supported GSO's accreditation efforts as one of the first signatories of a congressional letter to the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), recognizing the institution's commitment to equity, representation, and opportunity within the dental profession; and

WHEREAS, in 2016, the Georgia School of Orthodontics officially opened its Atlanta clinic and received initial accreditation from CODA, welcoming its inaugural class of 18 residents and two fellows, while committing to provide $100,000 in complimentary orthodontic treatment to underserved communities; and

WHEREAS, in 2017, GSO expanded its footprint with the opening of a state-of-the-art clinic in Duluth, Georgia, doubling its capacity to educate residents and serve patients throughout the Atlanta metropolitan region; and

WHEREAS, in that same year, the Georgia School of Orthodontics launched Purple Heart Smiles in partnership with the Georgia Dental Foundation, providing complimentary orthodontic care to children-and now grandchildren-of Purple Heart recipients, honoring the sacrifices of America's military families; and

WHEREAS, in 2018, GSO became the first orthodontic institution in the nation to be officially designated a Purple Heart School, further demonstrating its deep and sustained commitment to veterans and military families; and

WHEREAS, in 2019, the Georgia School of Orthodontics celebrated its first graduating class and earned CODA Approval Without Reporting Requirements, the highest level of accreditation status; and

WHEREAS, between 2020 and 2022, during the COVID-19 pandemic, GSO implemented innovative educational and clinical models that ensured uninterrupted resident education, patient care, and research, demonstrating resilience and leadership during a time of unprecedented public health challenges; and

WHEREAS, in 2021, GSO expanded its community outreach with the launch of Gift of a Smile Heroes, extending complimentary orthodontic care to adult community heroes who serve and strengthen Georgia's communities; and

WHEREAS, in 2022, CODA approved an expansion of GSO's residency program, increasing class size from 36 to 45 residents to meet growing national demand for orthodontic specialists; and

WHEREAS, in 2024, the Class of 2026 achieved a 100 percent pass rate on the American Board of Orthodontics written examination for fifth consecutive year, and GSO graduated its largest class to date; and

WHEREAS, in 2025, GSO opened the Lazzara Orthodontic Center for Research, positioning Georgia as a national leader in orthodontic research, innovation, and scholarly publication; and

WHEREAS, in 2025, the Georgia School of Orthodontics partnered with the John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation to establish the $8.5 million John Lewis Legacy Scholarship, expanding access to orthodontic education while honoring the enduring legacy of Congressman John Lewis; and

WHEREAS, since its founding, the Georgia School of Orthodontics has treated more than 14,600 patients, generated an estimated $46.6 million in savings for Atlanta-area families, awarded over $5 million in scholarships to 73 recipients, provided more than $290,000 in complimentary orthodontic care, and educated 172 alumni, including 34 Diplomats of the American Board of Orthodontics; and

WHEREAS, the Georgia School of Orthodontics operates more than 36,753 square feet of clinical, educational, and research facilities across two campuses, contributing significantly to Georgia's healthcare infrastructure, workforce development, and national reputation in orthodontic education.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body commend and congratulate the Georgia School of Orthodontics on the occasion of its 10th anniversary and recognize its outstanding contributions to public service, healthcare access, professional education, and community impact in the State of Georgia and across the nation.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the leadership, faculty, residents, and staff of the Georgia School of Orthodontics be formally invited to the floor of the Georgia House of Representatives on a date designated by the Clerk of the House of Representatives to be recognized for these achievements.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the Georgia School of Orthodontics.