HR1229: HR1229 Georgia School of Orthodontics; occasion of its 10th anniversary; inviting its leadership to be recognized by the Georgia House of Representatives; recognize

26 LC 129 0870 House Resolution 1229 By: Representative Stephens of the 164th A RESOLUTION Recognizing the Georgia School of Orthodontics on the occasion of its 10th anniversary and1 inviting its leadership to be recognized by the Georgia House o f Representatives; 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 created with a dual mission of8 post-secondary professional education and community-based publi c service, addressing9 workforce needs while improving access to oral healthcare for u nderserved populations10 throughout the State of Georgia; 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 H. R. 1229 - 1 - 26 LC 129 0870 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, between 2020 and 2022, during the COVID-19 pandemic, GSO implemented34 innovative educational and clinical models that ensured uninter rupted resident education,35 patient care, and research, demonstrating resilience and leader ship during a time of36 unprecedented public health challenges; and 37 H. R. 1229 - 2 - 26 LC 129 0870 WHEREAS, in 2021, GSO expanded its community outreach with the launch of Gift of a38 Smile Heroes, 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 for fifth consecutive year, and GSO graduated45 its largest class to date; and46 WHEREAS, in 2025, GSO opened the Lazzara Orthodontic Center for Research, positioning47 Georgia as a national leader in orthodontic research, innovation, and scholarly publication;48 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 H. R. 1229 - 3 - 26 LC 129 0870 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 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that63 the members of this body commend and congratulate the Georgia School of Orthodontics on64 the occasion of its 10th anniversary and recognize its outstand ing contributions to public65 service, healthcare access, professional education, and communi ty impact in the State of66 Georgia and across the nation.67 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the leadership, faculty, residents, and staff of the68 Georgia School of Orthodontics be formally invited to the floor of the Georgia House of69 Representatives on a date designated by the Clerk of the House of Representatives to be70 recognized for these achievements.71 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized72 and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the73 Georgia School of Orthodontics.74 H. 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