Once you meet Lonnie Puru, your whole day feels brighter. Not just because of his infectious energy, warm smile, or positive attitude; but because of his outfits.
“I really love colour, it makes people so happy,” he said.
Since starting at PA Hospital in 2024, Lonnie has made it his mission to bring more joy to the hospital one outfit at a time.
He accessorises his work uniform with a different colour, admitting his wardrobe is slowly but surely resembling a rainbow.
“I thought I’d make myself a beacon, so every day I wear colourful shoes, socks and a bandana. Every day is different, but on Wednesday’s I always wear pink.”
He also wears special accessories for Christmas, and even made his own pink bag for Valentine’s Day complete with love hearts. But Lonnie said there’s more to his clothes than meets the eye.
“It’s actually all about connection, I just love establishing relationships. So many people tell me they love it because they feel uplifted, and when I get that feedback I feel uplifted.”
Whether it’s greeting staff, giving a compliment, or helping someone feel seen, he understands the importance of human connection in a busy hospital environment.
“My favourite interaction was with a dementia patient who was staring at me. They pointed, and simply said ‘you had green yesterday,’ so that association was amazing.”
While Lonnie is proud to turn everyday interactions into moments of warmth, he’s even prouder of his work ethic.
“I love my job and my main focus is doing my job really well. I’m compelled to put my best foot forward and work diligently.”
Lonnie works in a relief position within the Operational Services team, meaning he could be driving the bus one day and cleaning the next. “Any aspect required of me, I’ll do it to the best of my ability,” he said.
He takes pride in knowing that every role - no matter the title - plays an important part in keeping PA Hospital running smoothly and safely for patients and staff.
“At the end of the day all jobs have to be done and they all matter, every job makes a difference.”
Thank you for being you, Lonnie - and for reminding us that sometimes a little colour can make a big difference.