Georgia General Assembly Honors Georgia School of Orthodontics on 10th Anniversary

Pictured (front row, left to right): Sen. Emanuel Jones; Rachel Lazzara; Dr. Randy Kluender, GSO President; Chris Lazzara, GSO Co-Founder and President-elect; and Irene Lazzara. Back row (left to right): Dr. Lester Jackson III, GSO VP of External Affairs; Sen. Jaha Howard; Lieutenant Governor of Georgia Burt Jones; and Dr. Kellyn Hodges, CEO and Owner of Kellyn Hodges Orthodontics and a member of the GSO Board of Trustees.

In the last decade, the school has treated more than 14,600 Atlanta patients and provided in-kind orthodontic care to underserved communities across the city.

ATLANTA (March 5, 2026) — The Georgia General Assembly has recognized the Georgia School of Orthodontics (GSO) for its decade of service expanding access to orthodontic care and advancing specialty orthodontic education in Georgia.

Both the Georgia State Senate and the Georgia House of Representatives adopted resolutions honoring the Atlanta-based institution. The recognition was joined by Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones and Speaker of the House Jon Burns, and coincided with Governor Brian P. Kemp’s official proclamation commemorating GSO’s 10th anniversary.

Founded in 2016 by Chris Lazzara and Dr. Gasper Lazzara, GSO’s 36-month orthodontic residency program was established with a mission to expand access to advanced orthodontic education while providing affordable, high-quality orthodontic care to Georgia families. Over the past decade, the school has treated more than 14,600 patients and delivered an estimated $46.6 million in savings to families.

Group photo of the Georgia School of Orthodontics team.
“We are deeply honored to be recognized by both chambers of the Georgia General Assembly,” said Chris Lazzara, Co-Founder and President-elect of the Georgia School of Orthodontics. “On behalf of GSO, I would like to thank Governor Brian P. Kemp, Lt. Governor Burt Jones, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, Speaker of the House Jon Burns, Chairman Robb Pitts of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, Senator Emanuel Jones, and members of the General Assembly for acknowledging the impact of our mission. This moment belongs to our faculty, residents, staff and the thousands of families we have had the privilege to serve. From the beginning, our mission has been rooted in education, service and expanding access to care. We remain committed to addressing healthcare disparities and strengthening Georgia’s role as a leader in orthodontic education and innovation.”

Through initiatives such as Purple Heart Smiles and Gift of a Smile, the institution has provided more than $290,000 in complimentary braces and Invisalign treatment to underserved patients, veterans, and community members.

Beyond providing in-kind care, GSO has invested more than $4.6 million in scholarships and pledged $8.5 million over 12 years in partnership with the John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation to expand access to orthodontic education.

GSO leaders say the next decade will focus on growing its access-driven model and strengthening Georgia’s healthcare workforce.

Photos Courtesy Sheer + Candid
Source: Business Wire