Hi Katie and welcome!!! You've come to the right place. I was in your shoes the beginning of June. My Husband had an AVR done on June 26, so everything you're going through is quite fresh in my mind. This is a wonderful site, one that you will use over and over with your many questions.
If you feel like looking through old threads, I have 2...one in presurgery and one post. I don't quite remember the titles. I think one is "A Wife's questions" and the other is "Tyce and his AVR" but the thread starter is Evelyn, that's me. You might find them very helpful as to answers to some of your questions.
I can't help you with hospitals, we're in Eastern Long Island, but I'm sure many members can.
I can wish you both the very best of luck in your search and with your surgery. I know I was beside myself and through everyone in this group, especially my bud Ross who is presently in the hospital recouping from his own surgery, got me through it. You will, too!!!
Trust me, there is hope and normal life after AVR. We're getting ready to go on vacation for a week to celebrate my retirement from teaching and Tyce's successful AVR surgery....So if you don't hear from me, that's the reason why. My husband was 59 and in good health but knew he had a "leaky valve" that they were watching....went into afib and a month later was undergoing surgery. Thank God all went well.
You are in the right place, with wonderful, caring people.
Evelyn