'Queen of Rock and Roll' Makes Major Donation to Honor Doctor Who Helped Protect Her Voice
On June 4, 2026, rock icon Stevie Nicks just made a major contribution to honor a physician who has helped keep her voice healthy throughout nearly five decades of performing.
The Fleetwood Mac singer and two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee recently completed the funding needed to establish the Stevie Nicks and Joseph Sugerman, MD, Endowed Chair in Otolaryngology at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. Her gift helped reach the $3 million goal for the endowed chair, which was also supported by contributions from other donors.
The new chair honors Dr. Joseph Sugerman, a Beverly Hills ear, nose and throat specialist who has spent nearly 50 years caring for patients and helping performers preserve and restore their voices.
According to the press release, Sugerman has also played an important role in training future specialists through his work as an adjunct faculty member in the USC Caruso Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery.
"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.
"I am thrilled to have this opportunity to acknowledge his talent and insights and mark his many years of outstanding practice."
The inaugural holder of the Stevie Nicks and Joseph Sugerman, MD, Endowed Chair in Otolaryngology is Dr. Michael M. Johns, director of the USC Voice Center and a leading expert in professional voice care.
Stevie Nicks and USC Share a Long History
Nicks' connection to USC stretches back decades. In 1979, Fleetwood Mac invited the USC Trojan Marching Band to record the title track of the band's landmark album Tusk at Dodger Stadium and later perform the song live on tour.
The collaboration became one of the most memorable moments in USC music history and helped strengthen the relationship between the university and one of rock's most successful bands.
USC wrote of Nicks in its press release, "Rolling Stone has called her the 'Reigning Queen of Rock and Roll' and included her in its 100 Greatest Songwriters and 100 Greatest Singers of all time."
Nicks has often spoken about the physical demands of life on the road, making access to specialized vocal care especially important throughout her career.
Dr. Sugerman said he was moved by the support shown by his patients and fellow donors.
"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," he said. "I'm especially excited that this will strengthen the outstanding programs at the USC Voice Center."
The endowed chair will support ongoing work in vocal medicine and help advance research, education and patient care for people with voice, swallowing and airway disorders.
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This story was originally published June 4, 2026 at 11:02 AM.