It is with deep sadness, but also with pride and affection, that we pay tribute today to our dear colleague, Dr Pierre Ryckmans. A devoted doctor, passionate humanist and indispensable force within the non-profit organisation Street Nurses, his passing leaves a great void, not only among us, his colleagues and friends, but also among the many homeless people for whom he worked tirelessly.
Pierre was known for his warm personality, his sharp gaze and his boundless dedication to the most vulnerable in our society. As a doctor and medical coordinator at Street Nurses, he knew that medical care was only part of the solution. He understood that real change begins with building a relationship of trust and ensuring a dignified existence. For him, each homeless person was not just a patient, but a human being with a story, a past and a future yet to be written.
Alongside Émilie Meessen, he helped the organisation grow into a benchmark for the reintegration of the most vulnerable homeless people.
Nearly twenty years ago, Pierre's path crossed that of Street Nurses. He already had a long career behind him as a doctor and activist, notably with Médecins Sans Frontières, Handicap International and Médecins du Monde. It was following this career path that he met Émilie Meessen and Sara Janssens, who had just created the association Infirmiers de rue in 2006.
From the outset, Pierre placed his full trust and support in them. In 2007, he joined the Board of Directors, then, in 2008, he became a member of staff and co-coordinator with the aim of structuring the organisation and its methodology.
From then on, he played a key role in the approach of Street Nurses, which was not limited to medical care, but was extended to access to housing and long-term support. His vision was clear: homelessness is not inevitable, but a problem that we can solve collectively with the right means and commitment. He was the one who insisted on looking for patients who seemed to have disappeared, to make sure that no one was forgotten.
He put his medical expertise, his immense experience in the field, both in Belgium and abroad, and his exceptional humanitarian commitment at the service of the organisation 200%. His arrival marked a turning point: patient follow-up was structured with clear priorities and a rigorous methodology. In 2009, he initiated the drafting of a methodological manual, the first edition of which was published in 2015 and a revised version in 2023, with Pierre among the main authors. He formed a perfectly oiled tandem with Émilie.
Under his leadership, awareness was raised: caring for people on the street is only the first step in a longer journey aimed at getting them out for good. He emphasised that the real work begins once a person is housed, as regaining stability and rebuilding one's life is often the biggest challenge.
‘Getting people off the street is possible.’
This mantra quickly became self-evident. He emphasised the importance of the social status of patients and the need to find and create housing. Social workers were integrated into the organisation to help patients overcome the administrative obstacles to rehousing.
‘Housing is part of the treatment,’ he liked to say. Street Nurses thus became one of the first Housing First projects in Belgium.
Despite the constant increase in the number of homeless people, the positive impact of the Street Nurses approach has reinforced the conviction that, with a solid methodology, time and structured cooperation between the various social actors, ending homelessness is a real possibility. The organisation's objective has evolved from ‘getting people off the streets’ to ‘ending homelessness’, not only at an individual level, but also at a societal level.
Pierre was, in his calm but determined way, an activist at heart. There was no doubt in his mind that communication and political advocacy were essential. He thus steered the organisation towards action combining fieldwork and active awareness-raising.
A highlight of this mobilisation was the study day on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of Street Nurses: ‘From Dream to Reality’ in November 2016, where Street Nurses mobilised all its energy to convince its partners in the sector and civil society that ending homelessness was an achievable goal. Pierre used every possible channel to get this message across, with rigour and perseverance: network meetings, articles, political meetings, LinkedIn posts... He never missed an opportunity to defend his convictions, to promote the Street Nurses methodology, to remind decision-makers of their responsibilities and to pay tribute to the homeless people who, despite immense obstacles, were starting on the road to reintegration.
He was firmly convinced that affordable housing was the key to solving the problem of homelessness. That is why he was one of the main driving forces behind the creation of a public-law foundation to strengthen our capacity to acquire and develop housing. The Casa+ Foundation was officially created in 2024.
Pierre not only left an indelible mark on the organisation and its methodology, he also made a profound impression on his colleagues. Dozens of young nurses, social workers and social assistants were inspired by his enlightened vision, his unshakeable confidence in their abilities and his kind advice, even on subjects beyond the professional sphere.
As his colleagues at Street Nurses, we will continue his work, guided by his values and convictions. His legacy lives on in the people he helped, the projects he inspired and the hope he sowed.
Pierre was much more than a doctor. He was a mentor, a friend and a source of inspiration for all of us. His patience, empathy and unshakeable belief in human dignity left a lasting impression on all those lucky enough to work with him. He had that rare gift of seeing people as they really were, without prejudice, with an open heart.
Rest in peace, Pierre. You will remain in our hearts and minds forever. You are amazing!