Medical students at the Wayne State University School of Medicine donated plenty of cash Friday for what some called a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity - shoving a shaving cream pie into their professor's face.

Proceeds from the "Pie the Professor" lunchtime event in Scott Hall will be used to purchase supplies for the World Health Student Organization's medical mission trip to Morne, Haiti, set for the week of March 15.

"A lot of us have been contributing to this cause for a long time. We write our own personal checks," said volunteer pie victim Dennis Goebel, Ph.D., an associate professor of anatomy and cell biology who teaches gross anatomy courses.

In partnership with Rays of Hope for Haiti, a non-profit organization based in Michigan, second-year WSU medical students and physicians will set up a clinic over five days to deliver free medical care to Haitians displaced by the nation's 2010 earthquake and living in extreme poverty.

"These kids have such a wonderful experience. They get to do some great work right alongside physicians. It's something I strongly believe in. Giving service is what it is all about," Dr. Goebel said. "I think they come back with a lot more than they went with."

He was joined by fellow pie-takers Kwaku Nantwi, Ph.D., and Rodney Braun, Ph.D., both associate professors in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology; Matt Jackson, Ph.D., associate dean of academic and student programs; and Jason Pogue, PharmD, a Detroit Medical Center pharmacist who teaches antibiotics to second-year medical students.

"We really appreciate the time they are giving us to do this," said Amy Li, a second-year medical student and WHSO's sustainability co-chair, who is going on the trip to Haiti and helped at the event.