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Legendary singer-songwriter Stevie Nicks has given $3m to the University of Southern California’s medical school to recognize the physician who has helped care for her voice throughout much of her career.
The major donation supports the creation of an endowed chair in otolaryngology at USC’s Keck School of Medicine in honor of Dr Joseph Sugerman, an ear, nose and throat specialist from Beverly Hills who has treated the singer – along with other performers and patients – for many years.
“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 position, named the Stevie Nicks and Joseph Sugerman, MD, Endowed Chair in Otolaryngology, recognizes Sugerman’s long career in the field. A graduate of USC and longtime member of its faculty, the physician has spent nearly 50 years in practice, according to the university.
University officials said Nicks’ gift enabled the fundraising effort for the endowed chair to reach its target. Additional support came from a number of foundations and individual contributors.
“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 university’s announcement.
After completing both his internship and residency at USC, Sugerman joined a Beverly Hills otolaryngology practice that became known for caring for singers and entertainers. He has also held an adjunct faculty role within USC’s otolaryngology department, officials said.
USC announced that the first recipient of the endowed chair will be Dr Michael M Johns, who leads the USC Voice Center and is regarded by the university as “a world-class expert in professional voice care”. The center provides care for patients with voice, airway and swallowing disorders, and operates clinics across the Los Angeles area.
Nicks’ relationship with USC dates back to 1979, when Fleetwood Mac invited the university’s marching band to participate in the recording of Tusk at Dodger Stadium.
In 2020, Nicks spoke to the Guardian about the gravity she placed on keeping her voice healthy – and her fears that contracting Covid-19 during the pandemic at the time could damage her vocals.
“It would kill me,” the Grammy winner said, when asked what it would mean for her to stop singing. “It isn’t just singing; it’s that I would never perform again, that I would never dance across the stages of the world again.”
