In 1974, Malcolm Ridgway PhD received a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to start one of the nation's first biomedical engineering shared service organizations. At that time the organization was a subsidiary of the Healthcare Association of Southern California (HASC), a 240-member regional association that represents a variety of healthcare organizations including hospitals, hospital systems, and integrated delivery networks systems. During its early years, the company helped HASC's members address new technical challenges such as the early concerns about electrical safety for catheterized patients, the introduction of computerized patient monitoring systems, the efficient management of scheduled equipment maintenance, and energy conservation. The group quickly developed a national reputation for creative solutions to technical problems and became a major participant in the development of meaningful safety standards for hospitals.

In 1986, the company embarked on an ambitious growth path, determined to transform itself from a regional player in Southern California to a national independent service organization with capabilities in the new imaging technologies, and a presence in the emerging non-acute (but healthcare-related) market. In the early 90s, this growth accelerated through the acquisition of a number of small regional and local businesses with similar or complementary technical services.

Today Masterplan serves the full range of healthcare-related markets from individual hospitals, surgery and diagnostic imaging centers, to some of the nation’s largest hospital systems and integrated delivery networks. Masterplan has systematically grown its customer base from about 300 in 1992 to more than 4,000 nationwide today.