Each year in March, Women’s History Month offers an important opportunity for Americans to shine a light on the extraordinary legacy of trailblazing women and girls. Earlier this month, Boulder City Council invited the community to join in the celebration of all women and the progress they have made. The city compiled a list of women who shared their achievements. 50 Plus is glad to tell Inez Buggs’ story.
Inez Buggs
Inez Buggs was Clinica’s first medical provider, and she has been providing health care to the underserved for more than 30 years. Clinica Family Health is a medical safety net for those impoverished in need.
Inez grew up in east Texas during segregation and her family did not have the privilege of having frequent doctor visits. In high school she saw a black nurse for the first time and it reenforced her desire to become a registered nurse. After high school, Inez joined her mother in
Boulder and soon enrolled at CU Boulder, but due to the social challenges of being in a majority white environment, she ended up moving to the Emily Griffith Opportunity School where she obtained an LPN degree. In her 30s, Inez re-enrolled at CU Boulder to pursue an RN degree.
In the late 1970s, while still in nursing school, Inez applied to a call for providers to start a public health clinic to serve Lafayette, Louisville and Erie. She was the only provider to apply and Clinica was born. Since then, Clinica has grown from one clinic to five clinics and to this day provides health care to the individuals and families in our community at a price they can afford. Over her time with Clinica, Inez cared for three generations and formed deep connections within our community.
In early 2023, Inez received a Lifetime Achievement Award as a Living Legend of Boulder County as part of the area celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day. Congratulations Inez!