Stevie Nicks Donates $3M to USC in Honor of Longtime Doctor Who Helped Keep Her Voice 'Healthy’ During Years of Touring
Stevie Nicks Donates $3M to USC in Honor of Longtime Doctor Who Helped Keep Her Voice 'Healthy’ During Years of Touring
Rachel RaposasFri, June 5, 2026 at 8:49 PM UTC
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Stevie Nicks in May 2026 in New York CityCredit: John Shearer/WireImage -
Stevie Nicks made a large donation to USC's Keck School of Medicine to honor her longtime ENT specialist
The legendary singer-songwriter's donation completed the $3 million goal for the institution's endowed chair in honor of Dr. Joseph Sugerman
Nicks first connected with USC in 1979 when Fleetwood Mac recorded "Tusk" with the school's marching band
Stevie Nicks is paying tribute to her longtime doctor with a massive donation to USC's School of Medicine.
The legendary singer-songwriter made a sizable donation to the Keck School of Medicine's head and neck surgery department to honor Dr. Joseph Sugerman, her ear, nose and throat specialist (ENT) of many years.
Nicks' donation completed the institution's $3 million donation goal for its endowed chair — the highest honor bestowed upon a faculty member, often funded through philanthropy — which will support the medical school's further work and research, per its announcement on Thursday, June 4.
Stevie Nicks in April 2026 in New OrleansCredit: Tim Mosenfelder/Getty
"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, 78, 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 will be named after both Nicks and Sugerman, and aims to pay tribute to the doctor's "extraordinary impact on patients, trainees, and the field of otolaryngology."
Nicks first connected with USC in 1979, when Fleetwood Mac invited the school's marching band to record "Tusk" at Dodger Stadium.
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"I am touched and humbled by the support of my patients who have extended themselves to create this endowed chair, which will be dedicated to advancing vocal medicine," Sugerman said in the announcement.
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The chair's first honoree is Dr. Michael M. Johns, the director of the USC Voice Center and a "world-class expert" in voice care. Johns founded the university's voice center in 2017 in order to help people experiencing issues with their voices, swallowing or airways and better their quality of life.
The Keck School of Medicine also shared the good news in a post on Instagram, which its community celebrated for its progress.
"THIS is how research gets done and how more patients get helped," one user wrote.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
