Fleetwood Mac legend Stevie Nicks has made a major $3 million donation to USC’s School of Medicine, paying tribute to her longtime physician who helped keep her voice healthy throughout decades of touring, as reported by Keck School of Medicine.
The gift was made to establish an endowed chair in otolaryngology honoring her doctor, Dr. Joseph Sugerman. The institution confirmed the significance of both the donor and the contribution.
“Now, singer/songwriter Stevie Nicks—the first woman inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame—has made a major gift to establish the Stevie Nicks and Joseph Sugerman, MD, Endowed Chair in Otolaryngology,” the Keck School of Medicine announced. “Her contribution completed the $3 million goal for the endowed chair, which was also supported by generous gifts from other donors, all seeking to honor their longtime friend and caregiver.”
Nicks also spoke personally about her relationship with Dr. Sugerman and what motivated her to make the donation.
“Through late nights on the road, years of touring, hours in the recording studio, I always knew I could count on Dr. Sugerman to be there to help keep my voice healthy, just as he does for his other patients,” Nicks said in a statement. “I am thrilled to have this opportunity to acknowledge his talent and insights and mark his many years of outstanding practice.”
The endowed chair now bears both their names, cementing Dr. Sugerman’s legacy within one of the country’s leading medical institutions. The donation also deepens a connection between Nicks and USC that stretches back nearly five decades.
Nicks’ relationship with USC dates back to 1979, when Fleetwood Mac collaborated with the USC Trojan Marching Band on the iconic track “Tusk,” as Stevie Nicks Info noted. That early tie to the university has clearly endured, evolving from a musical collaboration into a lasting philanthropic commitment.
Dr. Sugerman himself is no stranger to USC. He is a Beverly Hills ENT specialist, a USC alumnus, and an adjunct faculty member who has spent nearly 50 years preserving the voices of his patients, Stevie Nicks Info reported. His decades-long career and deep ties to the institution made him a natural honoree for the endowed chair.
The new chair will be held by Dr. Michael M. Johns, who directs the USC Voice Center. He founded the center in 2017, as Stevie Nicks Info detailed. The center specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of voice disorders, making it a fitting home for a chair established in honor of one of rock music’s most celebrated voices.
The donation reflects both Nicks’ personal gratitude and her broader commitment to supporting medical excellence. By channeling her philanthropy into a field that directly impacted her career, she ensures that future patients — performers and otherwise — will benefit from the same level of specialized vocal care that helped sustain her legendary voice for generations.
