March marks three years since the coronavirus pandemic hit Connecticut and changed what the world viewed as "normal."

"We're three years into the COVID pandemic and you know, look how far we've come," said Dr. Jo-Anne Passalacqua, infectious disease specialist at Hartford HealthCare's St. Vincent Medical Center in Bridgeport.

Passalacqua says her title was one few knew of pre-pandemic, but that all changed in March 2020.

"I always like to believe that out of something bad will come something good," she said.

Passalacqua was among the health care specialists caring for infected patients, sacrificing her social life, like many others during that time.

She says the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines came as a relief to her.

"To know that you were vaccinated and had some level of protection beyond the gloves, the masks and the gown--that was just life changing," said Passalacqua.

The doctor says society adapted and took on the changes that quickly became our new normal.

"We've learned to live despite this virus and return to many of the things we enjoy," Passalacqua said.

With three years down, she says doctors feel much better equipped to not only take on COVID – but any other virus or outbreak that may surface.

"We're starting to gain a better understanding of those patterns and with that you can prepare a bit," she said.