Children's Hospital of Wis. ranked #4 in Nation by Parents magazine

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- 12-year-old Cookie Topp is receiving treatment at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin for a rare and aggressive form of lymphoma.

"I was pretty healthy before this all happened. It was surprising in a couple of ways, but you know I can get through it," Cookie said.

On Monday, February 4th, Cookie and her mother, Linda found out they are getting help from the fourth best children's hospital in the country.

"I`m not surprised at all and I`m so proud of everybody and that everybody is getting this great recognition because it`s so well deserved," Linda said.

Parents Magazine revealed its survey findings, which will appear in its March 2013 issue.

The survey is a comprehensive comparison of pediatric hospitals focusing on several topics such as treatment options, survival rates and staff.

"We've been in the top 10 for many years, so we have a continuity of always getting better and that`s recognized in these rankings," Children's Hospital of Wisconsin CEO Peggy Troy said.

Along with being ranked fourth in the nation, six specialty programs within the hospital are also ranked in the top 10.

Those departments include preemie and newborn, emergency, orthopedic, heart, pulmonary and cancer.

"No child ever needs to leave the state of Wisconsin because they can get the very best care right here at Children`s Hospital," Troy said.

That's how the Topp's feel as Cookie prepared for a bone marrow transplant.

"We`re going for a cure and we've got the right medical staff behind us to get us there. We`re confident," Linda said.

As her slogan is "one tough cookie," this fighter plans to be back to school and playing sports again by the fall.

The results of the extensive report appear in the March 2013 issue of Parents magazine available online at http://www.parents.com/health/doctors/best-childrens-hospitals/.