SR680: SR680 Georgia School of Orthodontics; recognize

26 LC 129 0828 Senate Resolution 680 By: Senators Jones of the 10th, Jackson of the 41st, Kemp of th e 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 its1 10th anniversary and inviting its leadership to be recognized by the Georgia Senate; and for2 other purposes.3 WHEREAS, the Georgia School of Orthodontics (GSO), founded in 2 014 by Mr. Chris4 Lazzara and Dr. Gasper Lazzara, was established to expand access to advanced orthodontic5 education while providing affordable, high-quality orthodontic care to the citizens of6 Georgia; and7 WHEREAS, the Georgia School of Orthodontics was conceived with a dual mission of8 post-secondary professional education and community-based publi c service, addressing9 critical workforce needs while improving access to oral healthc are for underserved10 populations; and11 WHEREAS, in 2015, the late Congressman John Lewis, a revered ci vil rights leader and12 longtime public servant, supported GSO's accreditation efforts as one of the first signatories13 of a congressional letter to the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), recognizing14 the institution's commitment to equity, representation, and opp ortunity within the dental15 profession; and16 S. R. 680 - 1 - 26 LC 129 0828 WHEREAS, in 2016, the Georgia School of Orthodontics officially opened its Atlanta clinic17 and received initial accreditation from CODA, welcoming its inaugural class of 18 residents18 and two fellows, while committing to provide $100,000 in compli mentary orthodontic19 treatment to underserved communities; and20 WHEREAS, in 2017, GSO expanded its footprint with the opening of a state-of-the-art clinic21 in Duluth, Georgia, doubling its capacity to educate residents and serve patients throughout22 the Atlanta metropolitan region; and23 WHEREAS, in that same year, the Georgia School of Orthodontics launched Purple Heart24 Smiles in partnership with the Georgia Dental Foundation, provi ding complimentary25 orthodontic care to children-and now grandchildren-of Purple Heart recipients, honoring the26 sacrifices of America's military families; and27 WHEREAS, in 2018, GSO became th e first orthodontic institution in the nation to be28 officially designated a Purple Heart School, further demonstrat ing its deep and sustained29 commitment to veterans and military families; and30 WHEREAS, in 2019, the Georgia School of Orthodontics celebrated its first graduating class31 and earned CODA Approval Without Reporting Requirements, the hi ghest level of32 accreditation status; and33 WHEREAS, during the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 through 2022, GSO implemented34 innovative educational and clinical models that ensured uninter rupted resident education,35 patient care, and research, demonstrating resilience, leadershi p, and adaptability during a36 public health crisis; and37 S. R. 680 - 2 - 26 LC 129 0828 WHEREAS, in 2021, GSO expanded its community outreach through t he Gift of a Smile38 Heroes initiative, extending complimentary orthodontic care to adult community heroes who39 serve and strengthen Georgia's communities; and40 WHEREAS, in 2022, CODA approved an expansion of GSO's residency program, increasing41 class size from 36 to 45 residents to meet growing national dem and for orthodontic42 specialists; and43 WHEREAS, in 2024, the Class of 2026 achieved a 100 percent pass rate on the American44 Board of Orthodontics written examination, marking the fifth co nsecutive year of this45 distinction, and GSO graduated its largest class to date; and46 WHEREAS, in 2025, GSO opened the Lazzara Orthodontic Center for Research, positioning47 the State of Georgia as a national leader in orthodontic research, innovation, and scholarly48 publication; and49 WHEREAS, in 2025, the Georgia School of Orthodontics partnered with the John and Lillian50 Miles Lewis Foundation to establish the $8.5 million John Lewis Legacy Scholarship,51 expanding access to orthodontic edu cation while honoring the en during legacy of52 Congressman John Lewis; and53 WHEREAS, since its founding, the Georgia School of Orthodontics has treated more than54 14,600 patients, generated an estimated $46.6 million in savings for Atlanta-area families,55 awarded over $5 million in scholarships to 73 recipients, provi ded more than $290,000 in56 complimentary orthodontic care, and educated 172 alumni, includ ing 34 Diplomats of the57 American Board of Orthodontics; and58 S. R. 680 - 3 - 26 LC 129 0828 WHEREAS, the Georgia School of Orthodontics operates more than 36,753 square feet of59 clinical, educational, and research facilities across two campuses, contributing significantly60 to Georgia's healthcare infrastructure, workforce development, and national reputation in61 orthodontic education.62 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body63 commend and congratulate the Georgia School of Orthodontics on the occasion of its 10th64 anniversary and recognize its outstanding contributions to public service, healthcare access,65 professional education, and community impact in the State of Georgia and across the nation.66 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Georgia School of Orthodontics, its founders,67 leadership, faculty, residents, and staff be formally invited to the floor of the Georgia Senate68 on a date designated by the Secretary of the Senate to be recognized for these achievements.69 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed70 to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for di stribution to the Georgia71 School of Orthodontics.72 S. 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