The Georgia School of Orthodontics has announced an $8.5 million scholarship program honoring Congressman John Lewis, set to provide 47 full-tuition scholarships over 12 years beginning in 2025.

The Georgia School of Orthodontics (GSO) has announced the creation of the John Lewis Legacy Scholarships, an $8.5 million initiative developed in partnership with the John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation. The program will provide full-tuition scholarships to 47 orthodontic residents over the next 12 years, beginning in August 2025.

Honoring a Legacy of Justice and Education

The scholarship program pays tribute to the late Congressman John Lewis’s advocacy for justice, equality, and education. The inaugural cohort will include three recipients: Keandra Stewart from Tufts University, Alyse Pearson-Bryant from Meharry Medical College, and Dominique Douglas, also from Tufts, originally from Sunrise, Florida.

Each scholarship will offer $180,000 over 3 years, covering full tuition at GSO. The program will expand to four awards in 2028 and five annually thereafter.

Institutional Leaders Highlight the Importance of the Program

“It’s humbling to know that GSO has been entrusted to carry on Rep. John Lewis’ legacy. We take the responsibility of upholding his legacy of courage, justice, and service very seriously,” said Christopher M. Lazzara, co-founder and trustee of GSO. “This is the start of a special partnership with the John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation.”

Detria Everson, president and CEO of the foundation, added, “We are grateful to the Georgia School of Orthodontics for their very generous commitment to the John Lewis Legacy Scholarships.” She also noted Congressman Lewis’s early support of GSO at its inception. “Rep. John Lewis was one of the first of many members of the Congressional Black Caucus to support them at their inception in 2015,” Everson said. “Dr Lazzara, Chris’ father, showed that access to education and opportunity would provide options for a brighter future.”

Beyond Tuition: Training and Programming to Extend Lewis’s Impact

In addition to the scholarships, the partnership will include educational programming and civil rights tours for all orthodontic residents. These activities will take place at GSO’s new Lazzara Orthodontic Center for Research, where training on the civil rights leader’s legacy will be integrated into the curriculum.

GSO’s Broader Mission Aligns with Lewis’s Vision

Since its accreditation in 2016, GSO has graduated 132 orthodontists—more than 10% of the nation’s graduates, according to the school—and provided care to more than 12,000 patients. GSO notes that the new initiative aligns with its broader mission to expand access to both orthodontic education and care.

“His life was a testament to the idea that collective action and dedication to a higher purpose can change lives, and GSO is honored to continue his work in its own capacity,” Lazzara said.

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