SERGEANT SERVING ON ARMY’S COVID-19 TASK FORCE AWARDED ORTHODONTIC CARE BY GEORGIA SCHOOL OF ORTHODONTICS

Georgia School of Orthodontics awards a nominated Hero with a transformational gift

ATLANTA (June 28, 2021) – Georgia School of Orthodontists (GSO) is proud to announce its 2021
quarterly “Hero” recipient is Georgia National Guard 201st RSG Sergeant John Rader. He is a resident of Douglasville and a member of the U.S. Army’s COVID-19 Task Force. Sergeant Rader was selected to receive comprehensive orthodontic care after a public call for nominations on GSO’s website attracted many submissions of metro Atlanta adults who have gone above and beyond to help Georgians through the pandemic.

Born to two blind parents, Sergeant Rader has dedicated his life to serving his community and country, volunteering with the blind community. He has served in the military for thirteen years including two overseas deployments. In March of 2020, he was called upon to help our country fight the COVID-19 pandemic by serving on the U.S. Army’s COVID-19 Task Force, disinfecting nursing homes, administering Covid-19 tests, and establishing testing sites. Sergeant Rader works fulltime with the 201st RSG, one of five brigades in the Georgia National Guard.

While GSO is known for its complimentary orthodontic care programs for children (including braces or Invisalign) and teens, this marks its first program dedicated to adults. “Gift of a Smile Heroes” honors and recognizes heroes of all types in the Atlanta metro communities by giving them free braces or Invisalign treatment. For more information visit https://www.bracestoday.com/hero/

Sergeant Rader marks the fifth recipient of complimentary orthodontic care through GSO’s Gift of a Smile Heroes Program. The first four recipients, announced in March, are:

• Kathryn Hanson – Kathryn, who resides in Buford, has spent much of her child and adult life caring for others. She served as her mother’s caretaker from the age of fifteen, sacrificing her young adult life to support her family. Her life is about giving back to her community – she has cared for and tutored young children, serves as her church’s soprano singer, and volunteers are various community organizations.

• Romaldo “Tony” Hughes – Tony is a Dekalb County police officer who lives in Ellenwood. Not only has her served as a police officer for over twenty years, but he also supports his community.

• Isabel Nogues – Isabel, who lives in Flowery Branch, has served her community during the pandemic by working as an EKG Technician and Urgent Care Assistant. Her mother, who nominated Isabel, explains that she is a kind and compassionate person who pulls extra hours every week to help with the surge in COVID-19 cases.

• Ashika Payne – Ashika is a teacher who resides in the East Point suburb of Atlanta. She works as a fourth-grade teacher at Gideons Elementary, and has worked with youth for over twenty-five years. Before serving as a teacher, she was Program Director at the Douglas County Boys and Girls Club.

For more information on the School’s Gift of a Smile Heroes program, and to determine your eligibility please visit https://www.bracestoday.com/hero/

About Georgia School of Orthodontics

Georgia School of Orthodontics (GSO), based in Atlanta, GA, offers an advanced specialty education program in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. The 36-month residency program is the largest in the United States and is structured to provide collaborative and evidence-based learning for residents while providing high quality orthodontic care to patients in the School’s two patient clinics in metro Atlanta. GSO’s mission is to educate outstanding dentists to be proficient in the clinical specialty of orthodontics, while providing Georgians with the highest level of patient care available. GSO faculty and staff are dedicated to diversity in both education and practice. For more information about GSO, visit GSOrthodontics.org. To schedule a complimentary consultation, visit bracestoday.com or call 770.351.7737.