Senate Resolution 680
By: Senators Jones of the 10th, Jackson of the 41st, Kemp of the 38th, Wicks of the 34th,
Harrell of the 40th and others
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing and commemorating the Georgia School of Orthodontics on the occasion of its
10th anniversary and inviting its leadership to be recognized by the Georgia Senate; 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 conceived with a dual mission of
post-secondary professional education and community-based public service, addressing
critical workforce needs while improving access to oral healthcare for underserved
populations; 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, during the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 through 2022, GSO implemented
innovative educational and clinical models that ensured uninterrupted resident education,
patient care, and research, demonstrating resilience, leadership, and adaptability during a
public health crisis; and
WHEREAS, in 2021, GSO expanded its community outreach through the Gift of a Smile
Heroes initiative, 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, marking the fifth consecutive year of this
distinction, and GSO graduated its largest class to date; and
WHEREAS, in 2025, GSO opened the Lazzara Orthodontic Center for Research, positioning
the State of 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 SENATE 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 Georgia School of Orthodontics, its founders,
leadership, faculty, residents, and staff be formally invited to the floor of the Georgia Senate
on a date designated by the Secretary of the Senate to be recognized for these achievements.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the Georgia
School of Orthodontics.