Dr. Anita J. Herbert, 87, formerly of Derrick Road, a resident of Chapel Ridge, Bradford, passed away Thursday (March 20, 2025) at Bradford Regional Medical Center.

Born January 7, 1938, in Rew, she was a daughter of the late R.D. Herbert and Carrie (Coleman) Bryson. She was a 1955 graduate of Bradford High School.

Anita was a 1959 graduate of the University at Buffalo with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. Anita continued her education at the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine, where she earned her Doctor of Medicine degree in 1963.

Anita completed her internship and residency training at EJ Meyer Memorial Hospital in Buffalo and at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. After finishing her residencies, she came to Bradford in 1968 and practiced internal medicine, with affiliation at Bradford Hospital. In 1974 she was board-certified in internal medicine and became a diplomat for the National Board of Internal Medicine.

In 1978 Anita accepted a position at Boston City Hospital as an instructor in medicine to participate in a new department focusing on internal medicine. She also served as a clinical instructor at the Boston University School of Medicine.

After leaving the Boston area, her medical focus turned to the emerging medical specialty of occupational medicine. From 1981 to 1984, she served as medical director (Eastern Virginia) at C&P Telephone Co. in Norfolk, Va. During that same time, she was employed by the Eastern Virginia Medical School as an assistant clinical professor of medicine.

From 1984 to 1992, she was the medical director (District of Columbia) at Bell Atlantic Telephone Co. in Washington, DC, and also served as the preceptor in occupational medicine for the Armed Forces Medical School in Washington, DC.

In 1993, Anita returned to Bradford to help establish and serve as the first medical director of the Occupational Medicine Department at Bradford Regional Medical Center, with hospital affiliations (privileges) to Bradford Regional Medical Center. She also taught anatomy and physiology as an adjunct professor in biology at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, and served as the tuberculosis clinician at the Pennsylvania State Health Department.

Anita was a member of the American College of Physicians, American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, American Medical Association, Pennsylvania Medical Society and McKean County Medical Society.

Active in the community, Anita was a board member of Friends of Hanley Library, a member of AAUW-Bradford Branch and a dedicated member of First Presbyterian Church. She was blessed with a wide circle of friends, colleagues and co-workers who shared her love of literature, travel, music, theatre, sports, science and medicine. Anita was known for her love of learning throughout her lifetime. While living in DC, she spent much of her time at the Smithsonian Institution. Her large collection of books and music reflected her eclectic interests and a curious mind. Music ranged from classical music to Tina Turner and books from mysteries to physics.

In March 2023, the Bradford Regional Medical Center honored Anita by naming the new occupational health facility The Anita Herbert, M.D. Occupational Health Center. Other honors include the AAUW-Bradford Branch Outstanding Woman Award and the Bradford YWCA Outstanding Woman of the Year Award.

Surviving are one nephew, Kendall (Renee) Murry; two grandnieces, Amelia Murry and Hannah Murry; and cousins, Jayne Fenton, Kay Fenton and Ned Fenton III.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her stepfather, Frank Bryson; her sister, Joyce Murry; her maternal aunt, Verna (Ned) Fenton Jr.; her paternal uncle, Clarence Herbert; and three paternal aunts, Alice Bascom, Nina Deger and Patricia Payne.

Friends will be received 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, April 5, 2025, in the library at First Presbyterian Church, immediately followed by funeral services in the sanctuary with the Rev. Catherine Randall and Rev. Rob Klouw co-officiating. Committal services and burial will be in McKean Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to First Presbyterian Church.

Funeral arrangements are under direction of Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc.

Online condolences may be expressed at hollenbeckcahill. com.