The Texas A&M system board of regents has taken the first step to grow the commercial potential of the health science center.

Regents have approved a governing framework for a clinical practice operation that will affect A&M's five health related colleges.

Vice chancellor Carrie Byington wants to do more than education and research...adding that the lack of a clinical enterprise is one of their weaknesses.

Doctor Byington addressed concerns from what she described was a small number of from A&M doctors and other health professionals who believe they will have to give up moonlighting jobs.

Those concerns were expressed to regents by Dr. Jane Bolin, the director of the Texas A&M Southwest Rural Health Research Center.

The new health center governing plan will take affect after receiving approval of A&M president Michael Young and system chancellor John Sharp.